Back to the future: A preserved specimen validates the presence of Molossus pretiosus (Molossidae, Chiroptera) in Honduras

By

Turcios-Casco, Manfredo
Cláudio, Vinícius C. (Vinícius Cardoso)
Lee, Thomas Emmett Jr. 1959-

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024

Original Publication

ZooKeys

Volume

1196

Pages

139--148

Subjects

Bat diversity , Caribbean Islands , Central America , Distribution , Islas de la Bahía , Morphology

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1196.116144

 

Abstract

Molossus pretiosus is a molossid bat that has been thought to exist in Honduras. While some authors have suggested its range extends all the way to Mexico, others have placed its northernmost distribution in Nicaragua. We present evidence, based on one specimen collected in 2005, confirming the presence of this species in the Caribbean of Honduras within the Islas de la Bahía department. This discovery increases the count of known species within this family to 18 in the country and raises the total bat species count for Honduras to 114. We recommend a detailed study of historical specimens to confirm the identification of species that may have been misidentified as well as a thorough examination of molossids distributed in northern Honduras.