Australian myotis

The Australian myotis (Myotis australis) is a species of vesper bat. It is found only in Australia. This taxa may not represent a valid species. Only one specimen has ever been documented, supposedly from New South Wales. This specimen may have been mislabelled or a vagrant Myotis muricola or Myotis ater.[2]

Australian myotis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Myotis
Species:
M. australis
Binomial name
Myotis australis
Dobson, 1878
Synonyms
  • Vespertilio australis Dobson, 1878

Taxonomy and etymology

It was described as a new species in 1878 by Irish zoologist George Edward Dobson. Dobson named it as Vespertilio australis.[3] Due to concerns about the accuracy of Dobson's initial record, as well as the fact that the species has not been detected since, the Australian myotis is largely regarded as an erroneous record. The large-footed myotis is generally considered as the only member of its genus in Australia.[2]

Description

It is a small species of bat with a body length of 1.5 in (3.8 cm). Its fur is brown, short, and dense. The uropatagium has a "narrow but distinct" calcar. Its tragi are slightly curved.[3]

Range and habitat

It is only known from New South Wales, Australia.[1]

Conservation

As of 2020, it is listed as a data deficient species by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this classification because of ongoing doubts surrounding its taxonomic validity and a lack of information about its range, biology, and threats it faces.[1]

References
  1. Reardon, T.B.; Lumsden, L.F. (2020). "Myotis australis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T14146A22060248. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T14146A22060248.en. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  2. Bickham, John W; Patton, John C; Schlitter, Duane A; Rautenbach, Ignatius L; Honeycutt, Rodney L (2004). "Molecular phylogenetics, karyotypic diversity, and partition of the genus Myotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 33 (2): 333. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2004.06.012. PMID 15336668.
  3. Dobson, G. E. (1878). Catalogue of the Chiroptera in the collection of the British Museum. Printed by Order of the Trustees. pp. 317–318.
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