Long-eared bats
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Brown long-eared ( Plecotus auritus ) |
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| É. Geoffroy , 1818 |
The long-eared bats ( Plecotus ) represent a genus within the suborder of the bats and are assigned to the family of smooth-nosed bats (Vespertilionidae). The exact number of species is still unclear, with some species it is disputed whether they are independent or just subspecies. Several species have only recently been described. The genus is common in Eurasia and North Africa, at least five species of the genus are also found in Europe .
description
The animals are characterized above all by their name-giving long ears, which measure over 30 millimeters and are therefore often exactly as long as the rest of the body. The two ears are connected at the base by a fold of skin. The nostrils of the animals open upwards and the snout area is characterized by pronounced glands. The fur of long-eared bats is brown or gray-brown in color, with the underside being slightly lighter. The animals reach a head body length of 40 to 53 millimeters, a tail length of 34 to 50 millimeters and a weight of 5 to 14 grams.
Way of life
Long-eared bats inhabit a variety of habitats, including forests and open terrain, and are often found near humans. Like most bats, they are nocturnal, during the day they sleep in caves, tree hollows or in buildings. They form groups of five to twenty animals. At night they go in search of food; their diet consists almost entirely of insects. All long-eared bats are able to utter location calls through their noses even when their mouths are closed. The animals in cooler regions hibernate , which is why they often retreat to their own winter quarters.
Reproduction
In the case of European species, mating often takes place in autumn, and the seeds are then stored in the female's reproductive tract. Only in spring does fertilization and birth take place. Usually a single young is born, weaned after six to seven weeks and reaches sexual maturity at one to three years. Long-eared bats are long-lived animals, and a female brown long-eared bats are 30 years old.
Systematics
External system
The closest relatives of the long-eared bats are the American long-eared bats ( Corynorhinus ), the Allen long-eared bat ( Idionycteris phyllotis ), the spotted bat ( Euderma maculatum ) and the pug bats ( Barbastella ), together they form the genus group of the Plecotini .
Internal system
The exact number of species is controversial, with some species it is disputed whether they are independent or just subspecies. Several species have only recently been described. According to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), seven valid species are described, although the species of the genus now known as American long-eared bats ( Corynorhinus ) are still included. A revision of the genus Plecotus names at least 19 species:
- The Sichuan long-eared ( Plecotus ariel ) occurs in the west of the Chinese province of Sichuan .
- The brown long-eared ( Plecotus auritus ) is common throughout Eurasia.
- The gray long-eared ( Plecotus austriacus ) lives in Eurasia.
- The Ethiopian long-eared ( Plecotus balensis ) was only recognized as a separate species in 2000. It is native to the Ethiopian highlands .
- Plecotus begognae
- The north-east African long-eared ( Plecotus christii ) is native to north-east Africa and the Sinai .
- The north-west African long-eared ( Plecotus gaisleri ) is native to northwestern Africa.
- Plecotus homochrous
- The Balkan long-eared ( Plecotus kolombatovici ) lives in south-eastern Europe and Anatolia.
- Plecotus kozlovi
- The alpine long-eared ( Plecotus macrobullaris ) lives in mountains in southern and southeastern Europe and the Middle East
- Plecotus ognevi
- The Japanese long-eared ( Plecotus sacrimontis ) occurs in Japan and on the Kuril Islands .
- The Sardinian long-eared ( Plecotus sardus ) is endemic to Sardinia .
- Plecotus strelkovi
- The Taiwanese long-eared ( Plecotus taivanus ) lives only on the island of Taiwan .
- The Canary Long-eared Long-eared ( Plecotus teneriffae ) is endemic to the Canary Islands.
- Plecotus turkmenicus
- The Ward long-eared ( Plecotus wardi ) occurs in India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal.
In some classifications, the Canary Long-eared Bat, the Balkan Long-eared Bat and the Northwest African Long-eared Bat are combined to form a common species, Plecotus teneriffae .
Individual evidence
- ↑ according to ITIS
- ↑ Friederike Spitzenberger, Petr P Strelkov, Hans Winkler, Elisabeth Haring: A preliminary revision of the genus Plecotus (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) based on genetic and morphological results. In: Zoologica Scripta. 35 (3), 2006, pp. 187-230. doi : 10.1111 / j.1463-6409.2006.00224.x .
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World . Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
- J. Niethammer, F. Krapp (ed.): Handbook of mammals in Europe. Volume 4/2: Bats. AULA Verlag, Wiesbaden 2004, ISBN 3-89104-639-1 .
