TAXONOMIC STATUS OF MOLOSSUS BONDAE J. A. ALLEN, 1904 (CHIROPTERA: MOLOSSIDAE), WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SUBSPECIES

Abstract

We document the known distribution of Molossus bondae as far south as northern Argentina. Argentine specimens include the type series of M. obscurus currentium Thomas, 1901, a name with priority over M. bondae. Analysis of morphometric variation across the species' geographic range revealed the presence of 3 distinct populations of M. bondae. We reassessed taxonomic and nomenclatural status of populations previously included under the name M. bondae and concluded that the valid name for this taxon is Molossus currentium Thomas. Based on 12 cranial and 2 external characters we recognize 3 subspecies for this species, 1 of which we formally describe as new.