Molossus molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766)

G, H H., P, S C., P, C J. & G, L K., 2007, B A, N L A, Occasional Papers of the Museum 270, pp. 1-12 : 7

Molossus molossus molossus

(Pallas 1766)

Specimens examined (7).— Chalvilles, 2 (UNSM); Island Harbour, 1 (NMNH); Katouche Bay, 1 (AMNH); The Valley, 2 (1 AMNH, 1 UNSM); Wattices, 1 (UNSM).

Koopman (1968) reports specimens of this species from Anguilla without reference to specific specimens or localities. Husson (1962) restricted the type locality of M. molossus to the island of Martinique, which led Dolan (1989) to apply the name M. m. molossus to this species throughout the Lesser Antilles. We have maintained this arrangement pending analysis of morphological variation among populations of this species throughout the Antillean region . Table 1 presents length of forearm and seven cranial measurements for two males and two females from Anguilla.

The female obtained at Island Harbour was caught in a mist net as it exited the eaves of a house. The female caught at The Valley on May 20, 1987, was taken in a mist net that was set under a row of old mahogany trees, which formed a canopy at about 7 to 10 m above our nets. Only this specimen and one of T. brasiliensis were caught prior to heavy rain that ended collecting activities for the night. Conditions at Chavilles are described in the account for A. jamaicensis . In the small village of Wattices, nets were set under a mahogany tree adjacent to a dwelling. On the opposite side of the dwelling nets were placed in a small subsistence garden that included five banana trees.

Females obtained on May 20, May 22 (2), and October 11 evinced no gross reproductive activity. The male from Wattices taken on May 21 had testes that were 4 long. The female taken on October 11 weighed 14.