| Ward's long-eared bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Plecotus |
| Species: | P. wardi |
| Binomial name | |
| Plecotus wardi Thomas, 1911 | |
| Synonyms | |
Plecotus arielThomas, 1911 | |
Ward's long-eared bat (Plecotus wardi) is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is found in mountainous regions of South Asia and adjoining regions. [2]
It was described in 1911 by Oldfield Thomas, but was later reclassified as conspecific with the grey long-eared bat (P. austriacus). However, a 2006 study confirmed it as a distinct species using genetic and morphological evidence, and revived it as such. [3] The results of this study have been followed by the American Society of Mammalogists, the IUCN Red List, and the ITIS. [1] [2] [4] It was named after Colonel A. E. Ward, an amateur naturalist and member of the Bombay Natural History Society. [5]
Plecotus ariel was described as a new species in 1911 by Oldfield Thomas. The holotype is the only individual that has ever been documented. It had been collected in Kangding, China at an elevation of 2,600 m (8,400 ft) above sea level, as part of the Duke of Bedford's Zoological Expedition, led by Malcolm Playfair Anderson. [6] It was similar in appearance to Ognev's long-eared bat. [7] It was sometimes included as a subspecies of the grey long-eared bat (Plecotus austriacus). [8] However, the same study that revived P. wardi found P. ariel to be synonymous with it, and thus synonymized P. ariel with it. [3] This has been followed by the ASM and the ITIS, although the IUCN still classifies P. ariel as a Data Deficient species. [2] [4] [9]
It is found in the Himalayas and Hindu Kush mountains, ranging from northeastern Afghanistan through the Himalayas of India and Pakistan, south to Nepal and Sichuan, China. It roosts in caves surrounded by coniferous forest, and occasionally in human-built structures. [1]
It has a forearm length of approximately 44 mm (1.7 in). [6] Its forearm, thumb, and claw lengths are among the greatest in its genus. It has a medium-sized skull relative to other members of its genus, [7] with a greatest length of 17.2 mm (0.68 in). [6] Its orbital processes and zygomatic arches are weak, with the orbit (eye socket) elliptical in shape. It can be differentiated from other members of Plecotus by its large body size and darker fur. [7]
It may be threatened by cave tourism and destruction, both of which may lead to a decline in habitat quality. It may also be threatened by the demolition of abandoned buildings that serve as roosting sites. However, due to its wide distribution, it is presently listed as Least Concern. [1]
Vespertilionidae is a family of microbats, of the order Chiroptera, flying, insect-eating mammals variously described as the common, vesper, or simple nosed bats. The vespertilionid family is the most diverse and widely distributed of bat families, specialised in many forms to occupy a range of habitats and ecological circumstances, and it is frequently observed or the subject of research. The facial features of the species are often simple, as they mainly rely on vocally emitted echolocation. The tails of the species are enclosed by the lower flight membranes between the legs. Over 300 species are distributed all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica. It owes its name to the genus Vespertilio, which takes its name from a word for bat, vespertilio, derived from the Latin term vesper meaning 'evening'; they are termed "evening bats" and were once referred to as "evening birds".
Plecotus is a genus of vesper bat, commonly called long-eared bats. They are found throughout Eurasia and northern Africa. Many species in the genus have only been described and recognized in recent years.
The Alpine long-eared bat or mountain long-eared bat is a species of long-eared bat. It was originally described from Switzerland and Austria as a species intermediate between the brown long-eared bat and the grey long-eared bat in 1965. It was later described in 2002, from France and Austria, respectively. Despite its name, this species is not restricted to the Alps, being found in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and elsewhere. It differs from other European long-eared bats, such as the brown long-eared bat, by its white underparts.
The Ethiopian long-eared bat or Ethiopian big-eared bat is a species of long-eared bat in the family Vespertilionidae.
Christie's long-eared bat, also known as the Egyptian long-eared bat, Christie's big-eared bat, or gray long-eared bat, is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is known from North Africa and the Middle East. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, rocky areas, and hot deserts.
The eastern long-eared bat is a small flying mammal, a vespertilionid bat. It is found in eastern Australia and Papua New Guinea.
The Sardinian long-eared bat is a critically-endangered species of bat endemic to Sardinia, Italy.
The Japanese long-eared bat is a species of vesper bat endemic to Japan, where it is found in Hokkaido, Honshu and Shikoku. It has distinctive, long ears, hence its Japanese name, the 'rabbit bat'. Formerly included as a subspecies of the European bat Plecotus auritus, genetic studies now indicate Plecotus sacrimontis is a separate species.
Nyctophilus daedalus is a species of bat in the family Vespertilionidae, a flying mammal endemic to northern Australia. They are also referred to as the pallid long-eared bat or northern long-eared bat.
The Turkestani long-eared bat is a species of bat found in Asia. Though it was initially described in 1873 as a species, for many years it was considered synonymous with the desert long-eared bat, Otonycteris hemprichii. Recently, it was recognized as a distinct species once again.
Ognev's long-eared bat is a species of bat found in Asia. By 2006, it was recognized as a separate species from the P. auritus species complex.
The Turkmen long-eared bat is a species of bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is found in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and possibly Mongolia.
The Himalayan long-eared bat, also known as Hodgson's long-eared bat, is a species of bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is ranges from the Indian subcontinent east to China and south to Vietnam.
The Oriental serotine is a species of bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is widespread and found throughout Asia.
Plecotini is a tribe of bats in the family Vespertilionidae. It contains several genera found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, in Eurasia, North Africa, and North America. Several genera in this tribe are known as big-eared bats or long-eared bats. It also contains the spotted bat and barbastelles.
Ognev's serotine is a species of vesper bat found in western and central Asia.
Kozlov's long-eared bat is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is found in southern Mongolia and adjacent parts of China.
Strelkov's long-eared bat is a species of vesper bat found in mountainous regions of Central Asia.
