List of mormoopids

IUCN Red List categories
Conservation status
EX	Extinct (0 species)
EW	Extinct in the wild (0 species)
CR	Critically endangered (0 species)
EN	Endangered (1 species)
VU	Vulnerable (0 species)
NT	Near threatened (0 species)
LC	Least concern (10 species)
Other categories
DD	Data deficient (0 species)
NE	Not evaluated (0 species)

Mormoopidae is one of the twenty families of bats in the mammalian order Chiroptera and is part of the microbat suborder. Members of this family are called mormoopids (Latin pronunciation: [/ˌmɔrmoʊˈɑpəds/]) and include ghost-faced bats, naked-backed bats, and mustached bats. They are found in South America, Central America, and southern North America, primarily in forests and caves, though some can be found in savannas. They range in size from the sooty mustached bat, at 4 cm (2 in) plus a 1 cm (0.4 in) tail, to the ghost-faced bat, at 8 cm (3 in) plus a 4 cm (2 in) tail. Like all bats, mormoopids are capable of true and sustained flight, and have forearm lengths ranging from 3 cm (1 in) to 7 cm (3 in). They are all insectivorous.^[1] No mormoopids have population estimates, though the Paraguana moustached bat is categorized as an endangered species.

The eleven extant species of Mormoopidae are divided into two genera: Mormoops, with two species, and Pteronotus, with nine species. A few extinct prehistoric mormoopid species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries the exact number and categorization is not fixed.^[2]

Conventions

The author citation for the species or genus is given after the scientific name; parentheses around the author citation indicate that this was not the original taxonomic placement. Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the mormoopid's range is provided. Ranges and author citations are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted.

Classification

The family Mormoopidae consists of eleven species in two genera: Mormoops and Pteronotus.

Family Mormoopidae

Genus Mormoops (ghost-faced bats): two species
Genus Pteronotus (mustached bats): nine species

Mormoopids

The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by the reference work Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists.^[3]

Genus *Mormoops* – Leach, 1821 – two species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Antillean ghost-faced bat	M. blainvillei Leach, 1821	Caribbean	Size: 5–6 cm (2 in) long, plus 2–3 cm (1 in) tail 4–5 cm (2 in) forearm length^[4] Habitat: Caves^[5]	LC Unknown ^[5]
Ghost-faced bat	M. megalophylla (Peters, 1864) Four subspecies M. m. carteri M. m. intermedia M. m. megalophylla M. m. tumidiceps	Southern North America, Central America, and northern South America	Size: 5–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 1–4 cm (0.4–1.6 in) tail 5–7 cm (2–3 in) forearm length^[4] Habitat: Forest and caves^[6]	LC Unknown ^[6]

Genus *Pteronotus* – Gray, 1838 – nine species
Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Big naked-backed bat	P. gymnonotus (Wagner, 1843)	Mexico, Central America, and northern South America	Size: 5–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) tail 5–6 cm (2 in) forearm length^[4] Habitat: Forest, savanna, and caves^[7]	LC Unknown ^[7]
Davy's naked-backed bat	P. davyi Gray, 1838 Three subspecies P. d. davyi P. d. fulvus P. d. incae	Mexico, Central America, and northern South America	Size: 5–6 cm (2 in) long, plus 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) tail 4–5 cm (2 in) forearm length^[4] Habitat: Forest and caves^[8]	LC Unknown ^[8]
Macleay's mustached bat	P. macleayii (Gray, 1839) Two subspecies P. m. griseus P. m. macleayii	Cuba and Jamaica	Size: 4–6 cm (2 in) long, plus 2–3 cm (1 in) tail 4–5 cm (2 in) forearm length^[4] Habitat: Caves^[9]	LC Unknown ^[9]
Mesoamerican common mustached bat	P. mesoamericanus Smith, 1972	Southern Mexico and Central America	Size: 7–8 cm (3–3 in) long, plus 2–3 cm (1 in) tail 5–7 cm (2–3 in) forearm length^[10] Habitat: Forest^[11]	LC Unknown ^[11]
Paraguana moustached bat	P. paraguanensis (Linares & Ojasti, 1974)	Northern Venezuela	Size: 6–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) tail 5–6 cm (2 in) forearm length^[10] Habitat: Forest and caves^[12]	EN Unknown ^[12]
Parnell's mustached bat	P. parnellii Gray, 1843 Six subspecies P. p. fuscus P. p. gonavensis P. p. mexicanus P. p. parnellii P. p. portoricensis P. p. pusillus	Mexico, Central America, and northern and central South America	Size: About 6 cm (2 in) long, plus 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) tail 5–6 cm (2 in) forearm length^[10] Habitat: Caves and forest^[13]	LC Unknown ^[13]
Sooty mustached bat	P. quadridens (Gundlach, 1840) Two subspecies P. q. fuliginosus P. q. quadridens	Caribbean	Size: 4–5 cm (2 in) long, plus 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) tail 3–4 cm (1–2 in) forearm length^[4] Habitat: Caves^[14]	LC Unknown ^[14]
Wagner's common mustached bat	P. rubiginosus Wagner, 1843	Central America and northern South America	Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 2–4 cm (1–2 in) tail 6–7 cm (2–3 in) forearm length^[10] Habitat: Forest^[15]	LC Unknown ^[15]
Wagner's mustached bat	P. personatus Wagner, 1843 Two subspecies P. p. personatus P. p. psilotis	Mexico, Central America, and northern and central South America	Size: 4–5 cm (2 in) long, plus 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) tail 4–5 cm (2 in) forearm length^[4] Habitat: Forest, savanna, and caves^[16]	LC Unknown ^[16]

References

^ Nowak, p. 119
^ "Fossilworks: Mormoopidae". Paleobiology Database. University of Wisconsin–Madison. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
^ Wilson, Reeder, pp. 426-427
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Chernasky; Motis; Burgin, p. 492
^ ^a ^b Miller, B.; Reid, F.; Arroyo-Cabrales, J.; Cuarón, A. D.; de Grammont, P. C. (2016). "Mormoops blainvillei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T13877A22085914. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T13877A22085914.en.
^ ^a ^b Davalos, L.; Molinari, J.; Mantilla-Meluk, H.; Medina, C.; Pineda, J.; Rodriguez, B. (2019). "Mormoops megalophylla". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T13878A22086060. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T13878A22086060.en.
^ ^a ^b Solari, S. (2019). "Pteronotus gymnonotus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T18706A22077065. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T18706A22077065.en.
^ ^a ^b Solari, S.; Davalos, L. (2019). "Pteronotus davyi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T18705A22077399. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T18705A22077399.en.
^ ^a ^b Mancina, C.; Solari, S. (2019). "Pteronotus macleayii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T18707A22077903. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T18707A22077903.en.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Chernasky; Motis; Burgin, p. 493
^ ^a ^b Solari, S. (2016). "Pteronotus mesoamericanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T88018392A88018395. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T88018392A88018395.en.
^ ^a ^b Solari, S. (2016). "Pteronotus paraguanensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136610A21987754. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T136610A21987754.en.
^ ^a ^b Solari, S. (2016). "Pteronotus parnellii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T88017638A22077695. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T88017638A22077695.en.
^ ^a ^b Miller, B.; Reid, F.; Arroyo-Cabrales, J.; Cuarón, A. D.; de Grammont, P. C. (2016). "Pteronotus quadridens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T18710A22076753. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T18710A22076753.en.
^ ^a ^b Solari, S. (2016). "Pteronotus rubiginosus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T88018592A88018595. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T88018592A88018595.en.
^ ^a ^b Davalos, L.; Molinari, J.; Mantilla-Meluk, H.; Medina, C.; Pineda, J.; Rodriguez, B. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Pteronotus personatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T18709A115145223. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T18709A22076876.en.

Sources

Chernasky, Amy; Motis, Anna; Burgin, Connor, eds. (2023). All the Mammals of the World. Lynx Nature Books. ISBN 978-84-16728-66-4.
Simmons, Nancy B. (2005). Wilson, Don E.; Reeder, DeeAnn M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World. Vol. 1 (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0.
Nowak, Ronald M. (1994). Walker's Bats of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-4986-2.

[Batworld119-1] Nowak, p. 119

[PDBMormoopidae-2] "Fossilworks: Mormoopidae". Paleobiology Database. University of Wisconsin–Madison. Archived from the original on February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 18, 2025.

[MSW-3] Wilson, Reeder, pp. 426-427

[AllMam492-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Chernasky; Motis; Burgin, p. 492

[IUCNAntilleanghost-facedbat-5] Miller, B.; Reid, F.; Arroyo-Cabrales, J.; Cuarón, A. D.; de Grammont, P. C. (2016). "Mormoops blainvillei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T13877A22085914. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T13877A22085914.en.

[IUCNGhost-facedbat-6] Davalos, L.; Molinari, J.; Mantilla-Meluk, H.; Medina, C.; Pineda, J.; Rodriguez, B. (2019). "Mormoops megalophylla". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T13878A22086060. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T13878A22086060.en.

[IUCNBignaked-backedbat-7] Solari, S. (2019). "Pteronotus gymnonotus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T18706A22077065. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T18706A22077065.en.

[IUCNDavysnaked-backedbat-8] Solari, S.; Davalos, L. (2019). "Pteronotus davyi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T18705A22077399. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T18705A22077399.en.

[IUCNMacleaysmustachedbat-9] Mancina, C.; Solari, S. (2019). "Pteronotus macleayii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T18707A22077903. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T18707A22077903.en.

[AllMam493-10] Chernasky; Motis; Burgin, p. 493

[IUCNMesoamericancommonmustachedbat-11] Solari, S. (2016). "Pteronotus mesoamericanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T88018392A88018395. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T88018392A88018395.en.

[IUCNParaguanamoustachedbat-12] Solari, S. (2016). "Pteronotus paraguanensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136610A21987754. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T136610A21987754.en.

[IUCNParnellsmustachedbat-13] Solari, S. (2016). "Pteronotus parnellii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T88017638A22077695. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T88017638A22077695.en.

[IUCNSootymustachedbat-14] Miller, B.; Reid, F.; Arroyo-Cabrales, J.; Cuarón, A. D.; de Grammont, P. C. (2016). "Pteronotus quadridens". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T18710A22076753. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T18710A22076753.en.

[IUCNWagnerscommonmustachedbat-15] Solari, S. (2016). "Pteronotus rubiginosus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T88018592A88018595. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T88018592A88018595.en.

[IUCNWagnersmustachedbat-16] Davalos, L.; Molinari, J.; Mantilla-Meluk, H.; Medina, C.; Pineda, J.; Rodriguez, B. (2017) [errata version of 2016 assessment]. "Pteronotus personatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T18709A115145223. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T18709A22076876.en.

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