Mouse ears

Mouse ears
Great mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis myotis )
Systematics
Superordinate : Laurasiatheria Order : Bats (chiroptera) Superfamily : Smooth-nosed (Vespertilionoidea) Family : Smooth-nosed (Vespertilionidae) Subfamily : Myotinae Genre : Mouse ears
Scientific name
Myotis
Kaup , 1829

The mouse ears ( Myotis ) - also mouse-eared bats - are a bat genus that the family of smooth nose belongs (Vespertilionidae). In the Handbook of the Mammals of the World, 128 species are counted among the mouse ears . The genus is the subject of intensive research, with new species being described again and again, which can be seen, for example, in the nymph bat ( Myotis alcathoe ) , which was first described in 2001 . The name Myotis is made up of the Greek mys (= mouse) and otos (= ear), which also corresponds to the German generic name.

features

The mouse ears owe their name to the resemblance of their ears to those of mice . In contrast to these, the mouse-eared bats have a functional tragus that is mobile and with which the ear canal can be closed. The shape and size of the ears and carriers are important distinguishing features when determining the species of resting animals. The respective species can also be differentiated on the basis of different forearm lengths, habitus and characteristics of the flying membranes . The color of the fur on the back of the animals varies between different shades of gray and brown. The underside is usually much lighter to almost white. The line between darker colored fur on the top and lighter colored fur on the underside is usually sharp. Mouse ears reach a head body length of 35 to 100 millimeters, their tail is 28 to 65 millimeters long. Their weight varies from 3 grams for the smallest species to 45 grams for the large mouse-eared mouse .

The mouse-eared tooth formula is 2133/3133. This means that the mouse ears have a maximum of 38 teeth. The number of teeth is not helpful in differentiating the individual types of myotis.

distribution

Distribution area of ​​the mouse ears

As cosmopolitans , the mouse-eared bat is the most biodiverse and most widespread species of bat in the world. Their distribution area extends over all continents except for the Antarctic . Furthermore, there are no mouse ears in the Arctic or on some oceanic islands. Thirteen species live in Europe:

• Bechstein's bat ( Myotis bechsteinii )
• Fringed bat ( Myotis nattereri )
• Great whiskered bat ( Myotis brandtii )
• Great mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis myotis )
• Iberian fringed bat ( Myotis escalerai )
• Lesser whiskered bat ( Myotis mystacinus )
• Little mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis blythii )
• Long-footed bat ( Myotis capaccinii )
• Cryptic mouse- eared mouse ( Myotis crypticus )
• Nymph bat ( Myotis alcathoe )
• Pond bat ( Myotis dasycneme )
• Water bat ( Myotis daubentonii )
• Ciliate bat ( Myotis emarginatus )

Way of life

Great Mouse-eared Colony

Mouse ears are found in a wide variety of habitats, from deserts to rainforests and mountainous lands. All species are nocturnal, during the day they sleep in caves, mines, buildings, tree hollows or other shelters. Most species live in groups, the size of which can vary from a few to hundreds of thousands of animals. In cooler regions they hibernate during the cold season , which is why they often retreat to their own winter quarters or migrate to warmer areas.

nutrition

In Europe, all types of mouse-eared animals feed almost exclusively on smaller arthropods . Here, put insects , the main food is, but also spiders and millipedes are captured. The prey animals are usually caught in flight. However, some species also land on the ground or other surfaces such as leaves or walls in order to sometimes crawl after their prey. Some species, the best known being Myotis vivesi from Mexico , feed primarily on fish. These species are adapted to this diet by their long hind legs with large claws.

Reproduction

In temperate regions, mating usually takes place in autumn or early winter, then the male's sperm is stored in the female's reproductive tract and fertilization and the beginning of pregnancy do not occur until spring. In tropical regions, on the other hand, mating can occur all year round. After a gestation period of 50 to 70 days, a single young is usually born. In most species, the females retire with other females in nursery rooms for the birth and rearing of the young. The life expectancy of mouse ears in the wild is likely to be six to seven years. However, some animals are getting significantly older, a specimen of Myotis lucifugus reached an age of 29 years.

Systematics

There are more than 100 types of mouse ears. Some species are so similar that they can hardly be distinguished by their external characteristics. This also explains the late description of individual species, the individuals of which were previously assigned to other species, and so the uncertainties about the family relationships within the genus.

Subgenus Myotis

• The Sichuan whiskered bat ( Myotis altarium ) lives in southern China and northern Thailand .
• The Mexican long-eared mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis auriculus ) lives in the southwestern United States and Central America .
• The Bechstein's bat ( Myotis bechsteinii ) lives in Europe and Western Asia .
• The lesser mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis blythii ) is native to southern Europe, the Mediterranean region and southern Asia.
• The Chinese great mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis chinensis ) is native to eastern and southern China.
• The ciliate bat ( Myotis emarginatus ) is common in Europe, West Asia and North Africa.
• The northern long-eared mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis evotis ) lives in western North America .
• The Madagascar mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis goudoti ) is endemic to Madagascar and the Comoros .
• The Keen mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis keenii ) occurs in North America.
• The Morris mouse- eared mouse ( Myotis morrisi ) is known from central Africa ( Ethiopia and Nigeria ).
• The great mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis myotis ) is the largest representative of this genus. It lives in Europe and the Mediterranean.
• The Rickett's water bat ( Myotis pilosus ) is native to eastern China.
• The Peking mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis pequinius ) is native to eastern China.
• The Magreb mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis punicus ) lives in the north of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.
• The North American mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis septentrionalis ) lives in northern North America.
• The Mandelli water bat ( Myotis sicarius ) is native to Nepal and Sikkim .
• The North American fringed bat ( Myotis thysanodes ) lives in western North America and Mexico.
• The three-color mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis tricolor ) is common in central and southern Africa.

Subgenus Chrysopteron

• Myotis bartelsi from Java and Bali .
• The Hodgson's bat ( Myotis formosus ) lives in South and Southeast Asia .
• Herman's bat ( Myotis hermani ) is endemic to Sumatra .
• Myotis rufoniger occurs in Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Laos and Vietnam.
• The orange-fingered bat ( Myotis rufopictus ) is endemic to the Philippines .
• Myotis weberi isendemicto Sulawesi .
• The Welwitsch bat ( Myotis welwitschii ) lives in central and southern Africa.

Subgenus Selysius

• Myotis abei isendemicto the Russian island of Sakhalin .
• The nymph bat ( Myotis alcathoe ) was only described as a separate species in 2001. So far it is only known from Europe.
• The common bearded bat ( Myotis annectans ) is native to Southeast Asia.
• The Atacama mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis atacamensis ) is native to the Atacama region in western South America.
• Myotis attenboroughi occurs in Trinidad and Tobago.
• The black whiskered bat ( Myotis ater ) is common in Indonesia and New Guinea .
• The steppe whiskered bat ( Myotis aurascens ) occurs in the Balkans and as far as the Caspian Sea.
• The Australian bearded bat ( Myotis australis ) lives in southeastern Australia ( New South Wales ).
• Myotis bakeri was only described in 2019 and occurs in Peru.
• The great bearded bat ( Myotis brandtii ) lives in Eurasia.
• The California mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis californicus ) is native to North and Central America.
• Myotis carteri is native to western Mexico.
• The western little-footed mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis ciliolabrum ) is common in western North America and Mexico.
• The Dominica mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis dominicensis ) is endemic to the island of Dominica .
• The David's long-footed bat ( Myotis davidii ), formerly a subspecies of the lesser whiskered bat ( Myotis mystacinus ), is endemic to China.
• The spruce mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis elegans ) lives in Central America.
• The Findley's mouse- eared mouse ( Myotis findleyi ) is endemic to the Tres Marias Islands off the west coast of Mexico. The species is considered threatened.
• The long-tailed mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis frater ) occurs in Central and East Asia.
• The Gomantong Bearded Bat ( Myotis gomantongensis ) lives in Malaysia . The species was only discovered in 1998.
• Myotis hosonoi isendemicto the Japanese island of Honshu .
• The short-eared bat ( Myotis ikonnikovi ) lives in eastern Siberia , Korea and on Hokkaidō .
• The Samoan water bat ( Myotis insularum ) is endemic to Samoa .
• The hair-footed mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis keaysi ) lives in Central and South America.
• The eastern little-footed mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis leibii ) is common in eastern North America.
• The Martinique mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis martiniquensis ) is endemic to Martinique and Barbados .
• The South Asian bearded bat ( Myotis muricola ) lives in South and Southeast Asia.
• The whiskered bat ( Myotis mystacinus ) is native to Eurasia.
• The Curaçao mouse- eared mouse ( Myotis nesopolus ) is native to Curaçao and Venezuela .
• The black mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis nigricans ) occurs in Central and South America.
• The Nepali bearded bat ( Myotis nipalensis ) occurs in Nepal.
• The Singapore whiskered bat ( Myotis oreias ) is so far only known from Singapore .
• Myotis ozensis is endemic to the Japanese island of Honshu . The species is considered threatened.
• The flat-headed mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis planiceps ) lives in eastern Mexico. The species was thought to be extinct before it was rediscovered. Nevertheless, it is considered critically endangered .
• The Ridley long-footed bat ( Myotis ridleyi ) is native to Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo .
• The thick long-footed bat ( Myotis rosseti ) occurs only in Thailand and Cambodia .
• The Scottish mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis scotti ) occurs only in the highlands of Ethiopia .
• Myotis secundus is endemic to Taiwan.
• Myotis soror is also endemic to Taiwan.
• The Himalayan long-footed bat ( Myotis siligorensis ) is common in South and Southeast Asia.
• The Indiana mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis sodalis ) is native to the central and eastern United States. The species is considered threatened.
• Myotis yesoensis is endemic to the Japanese island of Hokkaidō.
• The Yanbaru mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis yanbarensis ) was only discovered in 1996. The species lives on the Japanese Ryūkyū Islands .

Subgenus Isotus

• The eastern fringed bat ( Myotis bombinus ) is native to East Asia.
• The cryptic mouse- eared mouse ( Myotis crypticus ) is found in Spain , France , Italy (including Sicily ), Switzerland, and possibly Austria .
• The Iberian fringed bat ( Myotis escalerai ) occurs in France, Spain, Portugal and the Balearic Islands .
• The fringed bat ( Myotis nattereri ) lives in Europe and western Asia.
• The Schaub fringed bat ( Myotis schaubi ) lives in Armenia and Iran . The species is considered threatened.
• The Caucasian fringed bat ( Myotis tschuliensis ) lives in the Caucasus, in the foothills of the Caucasus and in the south of the Crimea.
• The Zenati mouse- eared mouse ( Myotis zenatius ) is native to Morocco , Algeria, and possibly Tunisia .

Subgenus Leuconoe

• The South Asian water bat ( Myotis adversus ) lives in Southeast Asia, New Guinea, Australia and western Oceania .
• The Argentine mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis aelleni ) is native to southwest Argentina .
• The silver-tipped mouse-ear ( Myotis albescens ) occurs in Central and South America.
• The Annam long-footed bat ( Myotis annamiticus ) was only discovered in 2001. The species lives in Vietnam .
• The southeastern mouse- eared mouse ( Myotis austroriparius ) is native to the southeastern United States.
• The copper-colored mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis bocagei ) occurs in large parts of Africa and in Yemen .
• The long-footed bat ( Myotis capaccinii ) lives in southern Europe, the Mediterranean region and in western Asia.
• The Chilean mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis chiloensis ) lives in Chile and southern Argentina .
• The Guatemala mouse- eared mouse ( Myotis cobanensis ) lives in a small area in Guatemala . The species is considered critically endangered .
• The Csorba long-footed bat ( Myotis csorbai ) was only discovered in 1997. The species occurs only in Nepal .
• The pond bat ( Myotis dasycneme ) lives in Eurasia.
• The water bat ( Myotis daubentonii ) is also found in Eurasia.
• Dieter's mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis dieteri ) is only known from near the mouth of the Congo.
• The hairy water bat ( Myotis fimbriatus ) is native to southeast China.
• The cinnamon brown mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis fortidens ) is native to Central America.
• The gray mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis grisescens ) occurs in the eastern United States. Due to the destruction of its habitat, the species is considered threatened.
• The Van Hasselt's bat ( Myotis hasseltii ) lives in South and Southeast Asia.
• The Horsfield long-footed bat ( Myotis horsfieldii ) is common in South and Southeast Asia.
• The Chinese water bat ( Myotis laniger ) lives in southeast China as well as parts of India and Vietnam.
• The yellowish mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis levis ) lives in central and southern South America.
• The Kashmiri long-footed bat ( Myotis longipes ) is native to Afghanistan and Kashmir .
• The little brown bat ( Myotis lucifugus ) is common in North America and Mexico.
• The East Asian water bat ( Myotis macrodactylus ) lives in southeastern Siberia and Japan.
• The southern long-footed bat ( Myotis macropus ) is native to southeastern Australia .
• The pale long-footed bat ( Myotis macrotarsus ) occurs in Borneo and the Philippines.
• Myotis midastactus is only known from Bolivia, formerlyassigned to M. simus .
• The Burmese bearded bat ( Myotis montivagus ) is common in South and Southeast Asia.
• The Arizona mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis occultus ) lives in the southwestern United States and Mexico.
• The mountain monkey ear ( Myotis oxyotus ) is common in Central and South America.
• The Baja California mouse-eared mouse-ear ( Myotis peninsularis ) lives only in the south of the Baja California peninsula .
• The Honshu whiskered bat ( Myotis pruinosus ) is native to Japan. The species is considered threatened.
• The sea ​​moth ( Myotis riparius ) lives in Central and South America.
• The red mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis ruber ) is common in southeastern South America.
• The velvety mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis simus ) lives in the Amazon basin in northern South America.
• The stalker long-footed bat ( Myotis stalkeri ) is endemic to two small Moluccas islands. This species is also listed as threatened by the IUCN.
• The cave mouse ear ( Myotis velifer ) lives in the southern United States and Central America.
• The long-footed mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis volans ) is native to western North America and Mexico.
• The Yuma bat ( Myotis yumanensis ) lives in western North America.

Subgenus Pizonyx

• The fish-eating mouse-eared mouse ( Myotis vivesi ) is known for its mainly fish-oriented food. The species lives in western Mexico.

Cistugo also had the rank of a subgenus of Myotis in the past. In the meantime, Cistugo is not only considered an independent genus, but a new, monotypical family for the genus Cistugo has been introduced, the Cistugidae.

literature

• J. Niethammer, F. Krapp (ed.): Handbook of mammals in Europe. Volume 4/1: Bats . AULA Verlag, Wiesbaden 2001, ISBN 3-89104-638-3 . (very detailed textbook)
• Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World . Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .

further reading

• Benoît Stadelmann, David S. Jacobs, Corrie Schoeman, Manuel Ruedi : Phylogeny of African Myotis bats (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) inferred from cytochrome b sequences . Acta Chiropterologica, 6, 2, pp. 177–192, 2004 ( online ; PDF; 121 kB)

Web links

Commons : Myotis  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• Video: Mouse-eared bat . Institute for Scientific Film (IWF) 2007, made available by the Technical Information Library (TIB), doi : 10.3203 / IWF / Z-13124 .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c} Javier Juste, Manuel Ruedi, Sébastien Puechmaille, Irene Salicini, Carlos Ibáñez (2018): Two new cryptic bat species within the Myotis nattereri species complex (Vespertilionidae, Chiroptera) from the Western Palaearctic. Acta Chiropterologica, 20 (2): 285-301, doi: 10.3161 / 15081109ACC2018.20.2.001
2. ↑ Manuel Ruedi, Gábor Csorba, Liang-Komg Lin & Cheng-Han Chou: Molecular phylogeny and morphological revision of Myotis bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Taiwan and adjacent China. Zootaxa, 3920, 1, pp. 301–342, February 2015 doi: 10.11646 / zootaxa.3920.2.6
3. ↑ ^{a b c} Gábor Csorba, Cheng-Han Chou, Manuel Ruedi , Tamás Görföl, Masaharu Motokawa, Sigit Wiantoro, Vu Dinh Thong, Nguyen Truong Son, Liang-Kong Lin and Neil Furey The Reds and the Yellows: A Review of Asian Chrysopteron Jentink, 1910 (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: Myotis). Journal of Mammalogy 95 (4), 2014: 663-678. doi: 10.1644 / 13-mamm-a-200
4. ↑ Ricardo Moratelli, Don E. Wilson, Roberto LM Novaes, Kristofer M. Helgen and Eliécer E. Gutiérrez. 2017. Caribbean Myotis (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae), with Description of A New Species from Trinidad and Tobago. J Mammal. gyx062. doi: 10.1093 / jmammal / gyx062
5. ↑ Ricardo Moratelli, Roberto Leonan M. Novaes, Carlos Carrión Bonilla, and Don E. Wilson. 2019. A new species of Myotis (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) from Peru. In: RD Bradley, HH Genoways, DJ Schmidly, and LC Bradley (Eds.): From field to Laboratory: A memorial volume in honor of Robert J. Baker , Special Publications, Museum of Texas Tech University, No. 71, pp. 239-256
6. ↑ ^{a b} Manuel Ruedi, Gábor Csorba, Liang-Kong Lin, Cheng-Han Chou: Molecular phylogeny and morphological revision of Myotis bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Taiwan and adjacent China. Zootaxa 3920 (1), 2015: 301-342. doi: 10.11646 / zootaxa.3920.2.6
7. ^ Ricardo Moratelli, Don E. Wilson: A new species of Myotis (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) from Bolivia. Journal of Mammalogy 95 (4), 2014; Pp. E17-E25. doi: 10.1644 / 14-MAMM-149
8. ^ Lack, JB, Roehrs, ZP, Stanley, CE, Ruedi, M. and Van Den Bussche, RA 2010. Molecular phylogenetics of Myotis indicate familial-level divergence for the genus Cistugo (Chiroptera). Journal of Mammalogy 91 (4): 976-992. doi: 10.1644 / 09-MAMM-A-192.1