; [batnames2023] Includes oxygnathus ; see Furman et al. (2014) and Ruedi (2020). For discussion of synonyms see Strelkov (1972), Felten et al. (1977), Corbet (1978), Bogan et al. (1978), Horácek et al. (2000), and Ruedi (2020). Middle Eastern records reviewed by Harrison and Bates (1991) and Ruedi (2020), Palearctic records by Horácek et al. (2000) and Ruedi (2020). Does not include punicus ; see Castella et al. (2000) and Ruedi and Mayer (2001). None of the formerly recognized subspecies ( lesviacus , omari , and oxygnathus ) appear to be distinct evolutionary units; see Furman et al. (2014). Zhang Yongzu et al. (1997) included ancilla in myotis , but this is apparently incorrect; see e.g., Horácek et al. (2000).; [MDD2023] includes oxygnathus; [MDD2025_2.0] includes oxygnathus; [batnames2025_1.7] Includes oxygnathus; see Furman et al. (2014) and Ruedi (2020). For discussion of synonyms see Strelkov (1972), Felten et al. (1977), Corbet (1978), Bogan et al. (1978), Horácek et al. (2000), and Ruedi (2020). Middle Eastern records reviewed by Harrison and Bates (1991) and Ruedi (2020), Palearctic records by Horácek et al. (2000) and Ruedi (2020). Does not include punicus; see Castella et al. (2000) and Ruedi and Mayer (2001). None of the formerly recognized subspecies (lesviacus, omari, and oxygnathus) appear to be distinct evolutionary units; see Furman et al. (2014). Zhang Yongzu et al. (1997) included ancilla in myotis, but this is apparently incorrect; see e.g., Horácek et al. (2000).; [MDD2025_2.2] includes oxygnathus otnari, oxygnathus, aucilla, risorius africanus, ancilla, dobsoni, lesviacus, omari, oxygnathus, punicus, risorius (see Corbet, 1978c:30; Strelkov, 1972; Felten et al., 1977; and Bogan et al., 1978). punicus, oxygnathus, lesviacus, omari, blythi, ancilla blythii, ancilla, lesviacus, omari africanus, dobsoni, murinoides; omari - risorius blythii, lesviacus, omari, oxygnathus, risorius blythii - africanus, dobsoni, murinoides, ancilla blythii, murinoides, africanus, dobsoni, oxygnathus, omari, ancilla, risorius, lesviacus Based on analyses of sequence data of mitochondrial genes, Castella et al. (2000) and Ruedi and Mayer (2002), Simmons in Wilson and Reeder (2005) treated myotis , blythii , oxygnathus and punicus as separate species, an arrangement used also by Spitzenberger (2002). However, a recent molecular revision indicates that only M. myotis and M. blythii ; should actually considered as valid taxa, being the forms oxygnathus , ;omari, risorius and lesviacus corresponding to local morphological variation without taxonomic value (Fulman et al . 2014).
blythii, lesviacus, omari, oxygnathus blythii - africanus, ancilla, dobsoni, murinoides; omari - risorius blythii, murinoides, africanus, dobsoni, oxygnathus, omari, ancilla, risorius, lesviacus blythii, murinoides, africanus, dobsonii, oxygnathus, omari, ancilla, risorius, blythi, lesviacus, longicaninus, dobsoni blythii, lesviacus, omari, oxygnathus blythii - africanus, ancilla, dobsoni, murinoides; omari - risorius blythii (Tomes, 1857)|murinoides (Dobson, 1873) [preoccupied]|africanus (Dobson, 1875) [preoccupied]|dobsonii (Trouessart, 1878) [nomen novum]|oxygnathus (Monticelli, 1885)|omari O. Thomas, 1906|ancilla O. Thomas, 1910|risorius Cheesman, 1921|blythi Topál, 1971 [incorrect subsequent spelling]|lesviacus J. G. Iliopoulou-Georgudaki, 1984|longicaninus V. V. Popov, 2004|dobsoni Simmons, 2005 [incorrect subsequent spelling | not used as valid] Corbet, G.B. and Hill, J.E. 1980. A World List of Mammalian Species. British Museum (Natural History), London, 226 pp. Lesser mouse-eared bat Spain, Morocco – Afghanistan – S China Honacki, J.H., Kinman, K.E. and Koeppl, J.W. 1982. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Allen Press, Lawrence, 694 pp. Myotis blythii India, Rajasthan, Nasirabad. Tomes 1857 Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1857:53. Distribution: Ranging across the southern Palearctic from Portugal and Morocco to northern China and northeastern India including several Mediterranean islands. Corbet, G.B. and Hill, J.E. 1991. A World List of Mammalian Species. Third edition. Oxford University Press, London, 243 pp. ISBN 0-19-854017-5 Lesser mouse-eared bat Spain, Morocco – N India – S China Koopman, K.F. 1993. Order Chiroptera. Pp. 137–242 in Wilson, D.E. and Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, 1206 pp. Tomes 1857 Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1857:53. Subgenus Myotis. Mediterranean zone of Europe and NW Africa; Crimea and Caucasus Mtns, Asia Minor, Israel to Kirgizia, Afghanistan, and Himalayas; NW Altai Mtns; Inner Mongolia and Shensi (China). India, Rajasthan, Nasirabad. TOMES 1857 Size fairly large (forearm length, 53-64 mm; condylobasal length, 18-23 mm). Rostrum somewhat shortened and narrowed. Distribution: Ranging across the southern Palearctic from Portugal and Morocco to northern China and northeastern India including several Mediterranean islands. Six subspecies are currently recognized: M. b. punicus (northwestern Africa), M. b. oxygnathus (southern Europe), M. b. lesviacus (Lesvos island off Anatolia), M. b. omari (southwestern Asia), M. b. blythi (northwestern India and central Asia), M. b. ancilla (northern China). 101 species M. blythii TOMES 1857 Myotis subgenus Myotis blythii Size fairly large (forearm length, 53-64 mm; condylobasal length, 18-23 mm). Rostrum somewhat shortened and narrowed. Six subspecies are currently recognized: 3. M. blythii (TOMES 1857) [myotis group], 3 _M. b. ancilla_ Thomas, 1910; _M. b. blythii_ (Tomes, 1857) (synonyms: _africanus_ (Dobson, 1875), _dobsonii_ (Trouessart, 1878), _murinoides_ (Dobson, 1873)); _M. b. lesviacus_ Iliopoulou-Georgudaki, 1984; _M. b. longicaninus_ Popov, 2004 (fossil); _M. b. omari_ Thomas, 1906 (synonyms: _risorius_ Cheesman, 1921); _M. b. oxygnathus_ (Monticelli, 1885) Don E. Wilson & DeeAnn M. Reeder (editors). 2005. Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed), Johns Hopkins University Press, 2,142 pp. (Available from Johns Hopkins University Press, 1-800-537-5487 or (410) 516-6900, or at http://www.press.jhu.edu). CHIROPTERA Vespertilionidae Myotinae Myotis blythii Myotis blythii Tomes y 1857 Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. 1857 53 Lesser Mouse-eared Myotis India, Rajasthan, Nasirabad. Turkey and Israel to Iraq and Iran; NW India and the Himalayas; NW Altai Mtns; Inner Mongolia and Shensi (China). IUCN 2003 and IUCN/SSC Action Plan (2001) – Lower Risk (lc). africanus Dobson, 1875 [actually from Kasmir, N India]; dobsoni Trouessart, 1878; murinoides Dobson, 1873 [not Lartet, 1851]; ancilla Thomas, 1910; lesviacus Iliopoulou, 1984; omari Thomas, 1906; risorius Cheesman, 1921. For discussion of synonyms see Strelkov (1972), Felten et al. (1977), Corbet (1978c), Bogan et al. (1978), and Horácek et al. (2000). Middle Eastern records reviewed by Harrison and Bates (1991), Palearctic records by Horácek et al. (2000). Does not include oxygnathus and punicus, which together with blythii form a paraphyletic assemblage that includes myotis; see Ruedi and Mayer (2001). In order to restrict all species to potentially monophyletic groups of populations, oxygnathus and punicus are here treated as separate species. It is possible that ancilla, lesviacus, and/or omari may also be distinct, but these are here retained in blythii pending further study. Zhang Yongzu et al. (1997) included ancilla in myotis, but this is apparently incorrect; see Horácek et al. (2000). 4C3D87E8FF2C6A93FF849F6A1416B040 Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions 978-84-16728-19-0 hbmw_9_Vespertilionidae_716.pdf.imf hash://md5/b004ff90fffb6a44fffc96591e00bb32 977 zip:hash://sha256/ec5fd314a06aba1a7b0b72f23e54ac625ae272bd98f82f1d01f4c09627d9e8e0!/treatments-xml-main/data/4C/3D/87/4C3D87E8FF2C6A93FF849F6A1416B040.xml Myotis blythii Vespertilionidae Myotis blythii 1857 Petit Murin @fr | Kleines Mausohr @de | Ratonero mediano @es | Lesser Mouse-eared Bat @en | Lesser Mouse-eared Myotis @en Vespertilio blythii Tomes, 1857 , “ India , Nassenabad.” Subgenus Myotis , myotis species group (11 species). The taxonomic distinctions between M. blythii , M. myotis , and M. punicus are difficult to discern and the three species have been lumped under M. myotis or recognized as two species, M. myotis and M. blythii (including M. punicus as a subspecies). However, the three species are considered distinct here based on substantial genetic data supporting the specific status of all three. There are reports of hybrids between this species and M. myotis , however, and the taxonomic relationship between the two speciesis still somewhat controversial. Six subspecies are often recognized ( blythii , ancilla, lesviacus, omari, oxygnathus, and risorius), although there is substantial local morphologicalvariation that may account for the variation reported in these subspecies. However, it has been suggested that some of these names (particularly ancilla, omar, and oxygnathus) may represent distinct species. Considered monotypic here pending furtherstudiessince the distributions of individual subspecies are rather undefined. SC & S Europe (including Sicily, Cyprus , Crete, and smaller Mediterranean Is), SW Asia from Asia Minor , the Caucasus region, Palestine , and N Jordan to Kashmir, the Altai Mts, Nepal , N India , and N & C China . Head-body 54-76 mm , tail 59 mm , ear 21-24- 3 mm , hindfoot 11- 15 mm , forearm 50-5—-62- 1 mm ; weight 19-29- 5 g . The Lesser Myotisis one of the largest bats in its distribution. Dorsalfuris brownish; venteris pale gray, whitish, or beige. Some individuals have white spot on their foreheads, but this is not diagnostic becauseitis inconspicuous on many individuals. Ears are generally long and triangular, covering pointed pale tragus that does not have dark tip. Snoutis relatively short, which is reflected on short upper mandibles and C-M® distance of 8:1-9- 5 mm . Greatest length ofskulls are 21-2-22- 7 mm , condylo-basal lengths are 20-4-21- 9 mm , and zygomatic breadths are 13- 7-15 mm . Skull is large with robust rostrum and low braincase compared to unrelated Myotis ; forehead region is moderately concave and sagittal crest is strongly developed. P? is about one-half height and crown area of P2or less and is within tooth row. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 44 and FNa = 50 ( Turkey ) or 52 ( Greece ). Mainly scrub and grassland habitats in steppes, pastures/meadows, karst, and agricultural areas from sea level up to elevations of ¢. 2100 m . The Lesser Myotis mainly eats bush-crickets, chafers, grasshoppers, crane flies, ground beetles, mole crickets and, in Mediterranean areas, praying mantises and lepidopteran caterpillars. Lesser Myotis can either capture insects in flight (aerial hawking) or directly from the ground (gleaning), depending oninsect availability and vegetation clutter. It usually forages 1-2 m aboveground, continuously scanning the surface for potential prey, and positively selects open spaces to forage. Insects are captured by landing directly on top of them or by agilely intercepting them in flight. It can hunt in pastures with long grass full of crickets. It also forages intensively in forest edges where insect availability tends to be higher than in other more homogenous habitats. Mainly adult females and their offspring form maternity colonies that can have hundreds of individuals, and males roost alone or in small clusters nearby the main maternity roost. Some of colonies form specifically for the maternity period,if cave conditions allow it; these can be sedentary, with individuals staying in the same roost year-round. Females give birth between the end of May and mid-June, commonly to one young. Timing of parturition is determined by food availability. Young begin to fly at 5-6 weeks old. In some areas of sympatry, Lesser Myotis and Greater Myotis ( M. myotis ) interbreed and produce viable hybrids. Lesser Myotis typically emerge well after sunset, after pipistrelles ( Pipistrellus ) and Schreibers’s Long-fingered Bats ( Miniopterus schreibersii ), and return to roosts before dawn. In the northern part ofits distribution,it roosts in attics, old buildings, and churches; in the southern part, it mostly roosts in caves, tunnels, and mines. Echolocation is also very similar to that of the Greater Myotis , with highly modulated calls of 120-170 kHz down to 26-29 kHz, peak frequency usually of c.35 kHz, and durations of ¢.2-10 milliseconds. No regular long movements have been documented for the Lesser Myotis , although maximum distance traveled was c. 488 km . Maternity and hibernation roosts are usually c. 15 km apart; thus, it is generally considered non-migratory or an occasional migrant. Lesser Myotis will share roosts with other bat species such as Schreibers’s Long-fingered Bat, some rhinolophids, and other cave-dwelling species, with which they sometimes form mixed clusters. While colonies usually have 50-500 individuals, there are some exceptional colonies with up to 8000 individuals in Bulgaria . Although very little is known about hibernation of Lesser Myotis , there are some reports of relatively large hibernation colonies in underground roosts (hundreds of individuals), alwaysat stable temperatures of 6-12°C. When young are fully independent, swarming usually starts around August. Males have their own sites from where they display, either in flight or by hanging from thesite. Swarming sites include specific locations in cave ceilings, crevices in bridges or old buildings, or cracks in walls. Males defend their territories (display site) against conspecifics and rivals. Sometimes 5-6 females have been lured to the swarming spot of one male. Glandular secretions of males also attract females. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. In countries where populations of Lesser Myotis are stable (e.g. northern part ofits distribution, Asia, or Turkey ), it is considered abundant. In Spain and Portugal ,its populations are currently decreasing, and it is sometimes considered one of the rarest bats. Because it is cave dwelling, major threats such as speleology play a key role in recent population declines, such as in Romania where one of the most important colonies was almost extirpated in a relatively short time. Tourism and cave disturbance by herders are also crucial factors in their conservation. Abandonmentof agricultural areas and recovery of bushes and secondary forest dramatically reduce suitable foraging habitat of the Lesser Myotis . Arlettaz (1996a, 1999) | Arlettaz, Christe et al. (2001) | Arlettaz, Perrin & Hausser (1997) | Arlettaz, Ruedi & Hausser (1991) | Arlettaz, Ruedi, Ibanez et al. (1997) | Asan etal. (2010) | Bachanek & Postawa (2010) | Benda & Horagek (1995) | Berthier et al. (2006) | Castella et al. (2000) | Evin et al. (2008) | Furman & Ozgill (2004) | Furman et al. (2014) | Ghazali (2008) | Glittinger et al. (1998) | Hassan et al. (2010) | Hutterer et al. (2005) | lliopoulou-Georgudaki (1984) | Juste & Paunovié¢ (2016d) | Mayer & von Helversen (2001) | Molur et al. (2002) | Piksa (2006) | Russo, Jones & Arlettaz (2007) | Sharifi (2004b) | Sharifi & Akmali (2006) | Volleth & Heller (2012) https://zenodo.org/record/6398995/files/figure.png 486. Lesser Myotis Myotis blythii French: Petit Murin / German: Kleines Mausohr / Spanish: Ratonero mediano Other common names: Lesser Mouse-eared Bat , Lesser Mouse-eared Myotis Taxonomy. Vespertilio blythii Tomes, 1857 , “ India , Nassenabad.” Subgenus Myotis , myotis species group (11 species). The taxonomic distinctions between M. blythii , M. myotis , and M. punicus are difficult to discern and the three species have been lumped under M. myotis or recognized as two species, M. myotis and M. blythii (including M. punicus as a subspecies). However, the three species are considered distinct here based on substantial genetic data supporting the specific status of all three. There are reports of hybrids between this species and M. myotis , however, and the taxonomic relationship between the two speciesis still somewhat controversial. Six subspecies are often recognized ( blythii , ancilla, lesviacus, omari, oxygnathus, and risorius), although there is substantial local morphologicalvariation that may account for the variation reported in these subspecies. However, it has been suggested that some of these names (particularly ancilla, omar, and oxygnathus) may represent distinct species. Considered monotypic here pending furtherstudiessince the distributions of individual subspecies are rather undefined. Distribution. SC & S Europe (including Sicily, Cyprus , Crete, and smaller Mediterranean Is), SW Asia from Asia Minor , the Caucasus region, Palestine , and N Jordan to Kashmir, the Altai Mts, Nepal , N India , and N & C China . Descriptive notes. Head-body 54-76 mm , tail 59 mm , ear 21-24- 3 mm , hindfoot 11- 15 mm , forearm 50-5—-62- 1 mm ; weight 19-29- 5 g . The Lesser Myotisis one of the largest bats in its distribution. Dorsalfuris brownish; venteris pale gray, whitish, or beige. Some individuals have white spot on their foreheads, but this is not diagnostic becauseitis inconspicuous on many individuals. Ears are generally long and triangular, covering pointed pale tragus that does not have dark tip. Snoutis relatively short, which is reflected on short upper mandibles and C-M® distance of 8:1-9- 5 mm . Greatest length ofskulls are 21-2-22- 7 mm , condylo-basal lengths are 20-4-21- 9 mm , and zygomatic breadths are 13- 7-15 mm . Skull is large with robust rostrum and low braincase compared to unrelated Myotis ; forehead region is moderately concave and sagittal crest is strongly developed. P? is about one-half height and crown area of P2or less and is within tooth row. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 44 and FNa = 50 ( Turkey ) or 52 ( Greece ). Habitat. Mainly scrub and grassland habitats in steppes, pastures/meadows, karst, and agricultural areas from sea level up to elevations of ¢. 2100 m . Food and Feeding. The Lesser Myotis mainly eats bush-crickets, chafers, grasshoppers, crane flies, ground beetles, mole crickets and, in Mediterranean areas, praying mantises and lepidopteran caterpillars. Lesser Myotis can either capture insects in flight (aerial hawking) or directly from the ground (gleaning), depending oninsect availability and vegetation clutter. It usually forages 1-2 m aboveground, continuously scanning the surface for potential prey, and positively selects open spaces to forage. Insects are captured by landing directly on top of them or by agilely intercepting them in flight. It can hunt in pastures with long grass full of crickets. It also forages intensively in forest edges where insect availability tends to be higher than in other more homogenous habitats. Breeding. Mainly adult females and their offspring form maternity colonies that can have hundreds of individuals, and males roost alone or in small clusters nearby the main maternity roost. Some of colonies form specifically for the maternity period,if cave conditions allow it; these can be sedentary, with individuals staying in the same roost year-round. Females give birth between the end of May and mid-June, commonly to one young. Timing of parturition is determined by food availability. Young begin to fly at 5-6 weeks old. In some areas of sympatry, Lesser Myotis and Greater Myotis ( M. myotis ) interbreed and produce viable hybrids. Activity patterns. Lesser Myotis typically emerge well after sunset, after pipistrelles ( Pipistrellus ) and Schreibers’s Long-fingered Bats ( Miniopterus schreibersii ), and return to roosts before dawn. In the northern part ofits distribution,it roosts in attics, old buildings, and churches; in the southern part, it mostly roosts in caves, tunnels, and mines. Echolocation is also very similar to that of the Greater Myotis , with highly modulated calls of 120-170 kHz down to 26-29 kHz, peak frequency usually of c.35 kHz, and durations of ¢.2-10 milliseconds. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No regular long movements have been documented for the Lesser Myotis , although maximum distance traveled was c. 488 km . Maternity and hibernation roosts are usually c. 15 km apart; thus, it is generally considered non-migratory or an occasional migrant. Lesser Myotis will share roosts with other bat species such as Schreibers’s Long-fingered Bat, some rhinolophids, and other cave-dwelling species, with which they sometimes form mixed clusters. While colonies usually have 50-500 individuals, there are some exceptional colonies with up to 8000 individuals in Bulgaria . Although very little is known about hibernation of Lesser Myotis , there are some reports of relatively large hibernation colonies in underground roosts (hundreds of individuals), alwaysat stable temperatures of 6-12°C. When young are fully independent, swarming usually starts around August. Males have their own sites from where they display, either in flight or by hanging from thesite. Swarming sites include specific locations in cave ceilings, crevices in bridges or old buildings, or cracks in walls. Males defend their territories (display site) against conspecifics and rivals. Sometimes 5-6 females have been lured to the swarming spot of one male. Glandular secretions of males also attract females. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. In countries where populations of Lesser Myotis are stable (e.g. northern part ofits distribution, Asia, or Turkey ), it is considered abundant. In Spain and Portugal ,its populations are currently decreasing, and it is sometimes considered one of the rarest bats. Because it is cave dwelling, major threats such as speleology play a key role in recent population declines, such as in Romania where one of the most important colonies was almost extirpated in a relatively short time. Tourism and cave disturbance by herders are also crucial factors in their conservation. Abandonmentof agricultural areas and recovery of bushes and secondary forest dramatically reduce suitable foraging habitat of the Lesser Myotis . Bibliography. Arlettaz (1996a, 1999), Arlettaz, Christe et al. (2001), Arlettaz, Perrin & Hausser (1997), Arlettaz, Ruedi & Hausser (1991), Arlettaz, Ruedi, Ibanez et al. (1997), Asan etal. (2010), Bachanek & Postawa (2010), Benda & Horagek (1995), Berthier et al. (2006), Castella et al. (2000), Evin et al. (2008), Furman & Ozgill (2004), Furman et al. (2014), Ghazali (2008), Glittinger et al. (1998), Hassan et al. (2010), Hutterer et al. (2005), lliopoulou-Georgudaki (1984), Juste & Paunovié¢ (2016d), Mayer & von Helversen (2001), Molur et al. (2002), Piksa (2006), Russo, Jones & Arlettaz (2007), Sharifi (2004b), Sharifi & Akmali (2006), Volleth & Heller (2012). Simmons, N.B. and A.L. Cirranello. 2022B. Bat Species of the World: A taxonomic and geographic database. Accessed on 10/11/2022. Vespertilionidae Myotis blythii Myotis Unassigned-Myotis blythii Tomes 1857 1 Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. ###### Lesser Mouse-eared Myotis africanus Dobson, 1875 [actually from Kasmir, N India]; dobsoni Trouessart, 1878; murinoides Dobson, 1873 [not Lartet, 1851]; ancilla Thomas, 1910; lesviacus Iliopoulou, 1984; omari Thomas, 1906; oxygnathus Monticelli, 1885; risorius Cheesman, 1921. India, Rajasthan, Nasirabad Portugal through S Europe to SE Ukraine, S Russia, and SE Kazakhstan, Turkey and Israel to Iraq and Iran; NW India and the Himalayas; NW Altai Mtns; Inner Mongolia and Shensi (China) Not listed. Least Concern Includes oxygnathus ; see Furman et al. (2014) and Ruedi (2020). For discussion of synonyms see Strelkov (1972), Felten et al. (1977), Corbet (1978), Bogan et al. (1978), Horácek et al. (2000), and Ruedi (2020). Middle Eastern records reviewed by Harrison and Bates (1991) and Ruedi (2020), Palearctic records by Horácek et al. (2000) and Ruedi (2020). Does not include punicus ; see Castella et al. (2000) and Ruedi and Mayer (2001). None of the formerly recognized subspecies ( lesviacus , omari , and oxygnathus ) appear to be distinct evolutionary units; see Furman et al. (2014). Zhang Yongzu et al. (1997) included ancilla in myotis , but this is apparently incorrect; see e.g., Horácek et al. (2000). Mammal Diversity Database. (2023). Mammal Diversity Database (Version 1.11) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7830771 released 15 April 2023 Myotis blythii 23 Lesser Myotis Lesser Mouse-eared Bat|Lesser Mouse-eared Myotis Theria Placentalia Boreoeutheria Laurasiatheria CHIROPTERA VESPERTILIONIFORMES NA NA VESPERTILIONOIDEA VESPERTILIONIDAE MYOTINAE NA Myotis Myotis blythii Tomes 1857 1 "India, Nassenabad." blythii (Tomes, 1857)|murinoides (Dobson, 1873) [preoccupied]|africanus (Dobson, 1875)|dobsoni (Trouessart, 1878)|oxygnathus (Monticelli, 1885)|omari O. Thomas, 1906|ancilla O. Thomas, 1910|risorius Cheesman, 1921|lesviacus Iliopoulou, 1984 includes oxygnathus Furman, A., Coraman, E., Çelik, Y. E., Postawa, T., Bachanek, J., & Ruedi, M. (2014). Cytonuclear discordance and the species status of Myotis myotis and Myotis blythii (Chiroptera). Zoologica Scripta, 43(6), 549-561. Portugal|Spain|France|Switzerland|Liechtenstein|Italy|Austria|Czech Republic|Poland|Slovakia|Hungary|Slovenia|Croatia|Bosnia & Herzegovina|Serbia|Kosovo|Montenegro|Albania|North Macedonia|Greece|Bulgaria|Romania|Moldova|Ukraine|Russia|Georgia|Armenia|Azerbaijan|Turkey|Cyprus|Syria|Lebanon|Israel|Palestine|Jordan|Iraq|Iran|Turkmenistan|Uzbekistan|Kazakhstan|Kyrgyzstan|Tajikistan|Afghanistan|Pakistan|India|Nepal|China|Mongolia Asia|Europe Palearctic LC 0 0 0 Myotis_blythii 0 sciname match Myotis_blythii 0 IUCN. 2022. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2022-1. https://www.iucnredlist.org. Accessed on [28 September, 2022]. 14124 Myotis blythii ANIMALIA CHORDATA MAMMALIA CHIROPTERA VESPERTILIONIDAE Myotis blythii (Tomes, 1857) Based on analyses of sequence data of mitochondrial genes, Castella et al. (2000) and Ruedi and Mayer (2002), Simmons in Wilson and Reeder (2005) treated myotis , blythii , oxygnathus and punicus as separate species, an arrangement used also by Spitzenberger (2002). However, a recent molecular revision indicates that only M. myotis and M. blythii ; should actually considered as valid taxa, being the forms oxygnathus , ;omari, risorius and lesviacus corresponding to local morphological variation without taxonomic value (Fulman et al . 2014).
20000000 Myotis blythii Least Concern 2016 2016-04-25 00:00:00 UTC 3.1 English Listed as Least Concern. Although well-documented population declines have occurred in some parts of the range, in other areas it remains abundant and apparently stable. However, population monitoring is required and conservation action is needed in parts of the range where the species' status is unfavourable. It forages in scrub and grassland habitats, including farmland and gardens. Maternity colonies are usually found in underground habitats such as caves and mines, and sometimes in attics of buildings (particularly in central Europe). In Iberia and in the Balkans it is mainly found in caves and other underground sites (e.g., mines). In Turkey and Syria maternity colonies are found in caves and in very old buildings (castles, inns, etc.). It hibernates in winter in underground sites with a relatively constant temperature of 6-12ºC. The species is an occasional migrant, with movements of up to 488 km recorded (Hutterer et al. 2005; previous reports of 600 km are erroneous). Changes in land management, especially agricultural pollution and other agricultural activities, can affect populations of this species. Disturbance to roosts in caves and buildings may also be a problem. In some caves used by speleologists in Spain, the disturbance affects more than 90% of the population and some large historical colonies in southern Spain have disappeared as a result. The Andalucian population decreased from 30,000 individuals to 14,000 between 1994 and 2002 (unpublished report submitted to Junta Andalucia government). In Turkey and Syria caves are often used by herders and their livestock; the herders light fires in the cave entrances which disturb the bats. A gregarious species, it congregates in nursery and/or hibernating colonies of up to 500 individuals. There have been large population reductions since the 1950s in several areas, including central Europe, Israel, and central Asia, and there is evidence of ongoing decline in some parts of the range, although in other areas populations appear stable. In parts of its range it remains an abundant species. In Turkey it occurs in large clusters and is the second most common bat species (A. Karatash pers. comm. 2007). In Iran there is evidence of population decline, although it remains one of the most sighted species (M. Sharifi pers. comm. 2005). The Spanish population is estimated to be smaller than 20,000 individuals, and is concentrated in the southern part of the country (Palomo and Gisbert 2002). It is declining, at a rate of one third over the last 10 years in important large colonies in Andalucia (Franco and Rodrigues de los Santos 2001). It is one of the rarest species in Portugal, where its population of c.2,000 individuals is declining (Rodrigues et al. 2003). It is uncommon in the northern part of the range (Austria) but seems stable (Spitzenberger 2002). In France, the population of over 20,000 individuals experienced declines since the 1960s, but may now be stable (S. Aulagnier pers. comm. 2006). In the Balkans, it is regarded as stable (Mediterranean workshop 2007). In Romania, one well-known colony has declined by 95% as a result of disturbance by speleological tourism (Z. Nagy pers. comm. 2006). In South Asia the population is considered stable (Molur et al. 2002). It often occurs in mixed colonies with Myotis myotis and identification is sometimes problematic. Decreasing A south-west Palearctic species, it occurs in southern Europe, southern parts of central Europe, and non-arid parts of southwestern Asia from Asia Minor, the Caucasus region, Palestine and northern Jordan to Kashmir, the Altai mountains, Nepal, and parts of China. The former subspecies M. b. oxygnathus occurs in Mediterranean Europe and western Anatolia: Portugal, Spain, France, Italy (including Sicily), Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine (including Krym), the Balkan Peninsula and parts of Turkey (Topál and Ruedi 2001). In the Caucasus, Turkey, Iran, the Russian Federation and Georgia it is confirmed to occur no higher than 1,700 m asl (K. Tsytsulina, M. Sharifi and A. Karatash pers. comm. 2005). However, it is found at altitudes of up to 2,100 m asl in the winter in southern Spain (Palomo and Gisbert 2002). Terrestrial It is protected by national legislation in most range states. There are also international legal obligations for its protection through the Bonn Convention (Eurobats) and Bern Convention in range states where that applies. It is included in Annex II (and (IV) of EU Habitats and Species Directive, and hence requires special measures for conservation including designation of Special Areas for Conservation. There is some habitat protection through Natura 2000. In some countries (including Spain, Portugal, and Italy) several colonies are protected by closing entrances to caves with fences. More colonies should be protected, however, the emphasis needs to be on better protection of cave sites generally rather than on 'gating' of cave entrances which is often detrimental to bats causing direct mortality and abandonment of caves. Palearctic FALSE FALSE Global Simmons, N. B., & Cirranello, A. L. (2023). Batnames.org Species List Version 1.4 (1.4). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8136157 Vespertilionidae Myotis Unassigned - Myotis blythii Tomes 1857 1 Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. ######## Lesser Mouse-eared Myotis africanus Dobson, 1875 [actually from Kasmir, N India]; dobsoni Trouessart, 1878; murinoides Dobson, 1873 [not Lartet, 1851]; ancilla Thomas, 1910; lesviacus Iliopoulou, 1984; omari Thomas, 1906; oxygnathus Monticelli, 1885; risorius Cheesman, 1921. India, Rajasthan, Nasirabad Portugal through S Europe to SE Ukraine, S Russia, and SE Kazakhstan, Turkey and Israel to Iraq and Iran; NW India and the Himalayas; NW Altai Mtns; Inner Mongolia and Shensi (China) Not listed. Least Concern Includes oxygnathus ; see Furman et al. (2014) and Ruedi (2020). For discussion of synonyms see Strelkov (1972), Felten et al. (1977), Corbet (1978), Bogan et al. (1978), Horácek et al. (2000), and Ruedi (2020). Middle Eastern records reviewed by Harrison and Bates (1991) and Ruedi (2020), Palearctic records by Horácek et al. (2000) and Ruedi (2020). Does not include punicus ; see Castella et al. (2000) and Ruedi and Mayer (2001). None of the formerly recognized subspecies ( lesviacus , omari , and oxygnathus ) appear to be distinct evolutionary units; see Furman et al. (2014). Zhang Yongzu et al. (1997) included ancilla in myotis , but this is apparently incorrect; see e.g., Horácek et al. (2000). Myotis blythii 1005376 23 Lesser Myotis Lesser Mouse-eared Bat|Lesser Mouse-eared Myotis Theria Placentalia Boreoeutheria Laurasiatheria CHIROPTERA VESPERTILIONIFORMES NA NA VESPERTILIONOIDEA Vespertilionidae MYOTINAE NA Myotis Myotis blythii Tomes 1857 1 "India, Nassenabad." blythii (Tomes, 1857)|murinoides (Dobson, 1873) [preoccupied]|africanus (Dobson, 1875)|dobsoni (Trouessart, 1878)|oxygnathus (Monticelli, 1885)|omari O. Thomas, 1906|ancilla O. Thomas, 1910|risorius Cheesman, 1921|lesviacus Iliopoulou, 1984 includes oxygnathus Furman, A., Coraman, E., Çelik, Y. E., Postawa, T., Bachanek, J., & Ruedi, M. (2014). Cytonuclear discordance and the species status of Myotis myotis and Myotis blythii (Chiroptera). Zoologica Scripta, 43(6), 549-561. Portugal|Spain|France|Switzerland|Liechtenstein|Italy|Austria|Czech Republic|Poland|Slovakia|Hungary|Slovenia|Croatia|Bosnia & Herzegovina|Serbia|Kosovo|Montenegro|Albania|North Macedonia|Greece|Bulgaria|Romania|Moldova|Ukraine|Russia|Georgia|Armenia|Azerbaijan|Turkey|Cyprus|Syria|Lebanon|Israel|Palestine|Jordan|Iraq|Iran|Turkmenistan|Uzbekistan|Kazakhstan|Kyrgyzstan|Tajikistan|Afghanistan|Pakistan|India|Nepal|China|Mongolia Asia|Europe Palearctic LC 0 0 0 Myotis_blythii 0 sciname match Myotis_blythii 0 Burgin, C. J., Zijlstra, J. S., Becker, M. A., Handika, H., Alston, J. M., Widness, J., Liphardt, S., Huckaby, D. G., and Upham, N. S. (2025). How many mammal species are there now? Updates and trends in taxonomic, nomenclatural, and geographic knowledge. Journal of Mammalogy in revision: TBD. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.02.27.640393 Myotis_blythii 1005376 23 Lesser Myotis Lesser Mouse-eared Bat|Lesser Mouse-eared Myotis Theria Placentalia Boreoeutheria Laurasiatheria Chiroptera Yangochiroptera NA NA Vespertilionoidea Vespertilionidae Myotinae NA Myotis Myotis blythii Tomes 1 Vespertilio Blythii Tomes, R.F. 1857-07-14. Descriptions of four undescribed species of bats. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1857:50-54. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/32451160 BMNH:Mamm:1849.8.16.22 holotype https://data.nhm.ac.uk/object/4432a427-8333-4f3d-961a-6cc3ccd17212 "India, Nassenabad." includes oxygnathus Furman, A., Coraman, E., Çelik, Y. E., Postawa, T., Bachanek, J., & Ruedi, M. (2014). Cytonuclear discordance and the species status of Myotis myotis and Myotis blythii (Chiroptera). Zoologica Scripta, 43(6), 549-561. Portugal|Spain|France|Switzerland|Liechtenstein|Italy|Austria|Czech Republic|Poland|Slovakia|Hungary|Slovenia|Croatia|Bosnia and Herzegovina|Serbia|Kosovo|Montenegro|Albania|North Macedonia|Greece|Bulgaria|Romania|Moldova|Ukraine|Russia|Georgia|Armenia|Azerbaijan|Turkey|Cyprus|Syria|Lebanon|Israel|Palestine|Jordan|Iraq|Iran|Turkmenistan|Uzbekistan|Kazakhstan|Kyrgyzstan|Tajikistan|Afghanistan|Pakistan|India|Nepal|China|Mongolia Asia|Europe Palearctic LC 0 0 0 Myotis_blythii 0 sciname match Myotis_blythii 0 Simmons, N. B., & Cirranello, A. L. (2025). Batnames.org Species List Version 1.7 (1.7). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14796586 Vespertilionidae Myotis Myotis blythii Tomes 1857 1 Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond. ######## Lesser Mouse-eared Myotis africanus Dobson, 1875 [actually from Kasmir, N India]; dobsoni Trouessart, 1878; murinoides Dobson, 1873 [not Lartet, 1851]; ancilla Thomas, 1910; lesviacus Iliopoulou, 1984; omari Thomas, 1906; oxygnathus Monticelli, 1885; risorius Cheesman, 1921. India, Rajasthan, Nasirabad Portugal through S Europe to SE Ukraine, S Russia, and SE Kazakhstan, Turkey and Israel to Iraq and Iran; NW India and the Himalayas; NW Altai Mtns; Inner Mongolia and Shensi (China) Not Listed Least Concern Includes oxygnathus; see Furman et al. (2014) and Ruedi (2020). For discussion of synonyms see Strelkov (1972), Felten et al. (1977), Corbet (1978), Bogan et al. (1978), Horácek et al. (2000), and Ruedi (2020). Middle Eastern records reviewed by Harrison and Bates (1991) and Ruedi (2020), Palearctic records by Horácek et al. (2000) and Ruedi (2020). Does not include punicus; see Castella et al. (2000) and Ruedi and Mayer (2001). None of the formerly recognized subspecies (lesviacus, omari, and oxygnathus) appear to be distinct evolutionary units; see Furman et al. (2014). Zhang Yongzu et al. (1997) included ancilla in myotis, but this is apparently incorrect; see e.g., Horácek et al. (2000). Mammal Diversity Database. (2025). Mammal Diversity Database (Version 2.2) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15007505 NA Myotis blythii; Myotis blythii; Myotis blythii; Myotis blythii; Myotis blythii; Myotis blythii; blythii; ancilla; lesviacus; omari; africanus; dobsoni; murinoides; omari - risorius; lesviacus; omari; oxygnathus; risorius; africanus; dobsoni; murinoides; ancilla; blythii; murinoides; africanus; dobsoni; oxygnathus; omari; ancilla; risorius; lesviacus; Petit Murin; Kleines Mausohr; Ratonero mediano; Lesser Mouse-eared Bat; Lesser Mouse-eared Myotis; Lesser Myotis; Lesser Mouse-eared Bat; Lesser Mouse-eared Myotis; Lesser Mouse-eared Myotis; Lesser Mouse-eared Myotis; M. blythii