Plecotus gaisleri

Plecotus gaisleri, also known as Gaisler's long-eared bat, is a species of bat in the genus Plecotus. It is medium-sized grayish-brown and found in Morocco, Algeria, Libya, and Tunisia.[1]

Plecotus gaisleri
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Plecotus
Species:
P. gaisleri
Binomial name
Plecotus gaisleri
Benda, 2004

Taxonomy

Plecotus gaisleri was described as a new subspecies of the canary big-eared bat in 2004 by Petr Benda, who gave it the trinomen of Plecotus teneriffae gaisleri. The holotype had been collected approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) southwest of Massah, Libya in 2002. The eponym for the species name "gaisleri" was Jiří Gaisler, who "significantly contributed to the knowledge of the North African bat fauna".[2] A 2007 study concluded that it should be considered a full species, P. gaisleri, based on the magnitude of genetic divergence.[3]

Description

Plecotus gaisleri is a medium-sized member of its genus, with a forearm length of 37–42 mm (1.5–1.7 in). Individuals weigh approximately 7–10 g (0.25–0.35 oz).[4]

Biology and ecology

It is nocturnal, foraging for its prey at night or shortly before sunset. It mostly consumes large- and medium-sized moths, though also consumes some beetles and flies. Its reproduction is not well known, though it likely has a litter size of one individual, breeds seasonally, and has only one breeding season annually. Its predators include barn owls and Pharaoh eagle-owls.[4]

Range and habitat

Plecotus gaisleri is known from areas of Libya with a Mediterranean climate. In 2004, its known distribution was limited to an area of about 10,000 km2 (3,900 sq mi), encompassing mountainous and coastal regions.[2] It is now additionally known from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.[4]

References
  1. Ahmim, Mourad (2017-01-26). "Current status, distribution and conservation status of Algerian bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera)". Journal of Threatened Taxa. 9 (1): 9723–9733. doi:10.11609/jott.2576.9.1.9723-9733. ISSN 0974-7893.
  2. Petr Benda; Andreas Kiefer; Vladimír Hanák; Michael Veith (2004). "Systematic Status of African Populations of Long-eared bats, Genus Plecotus (Mammalia: Chroptera". Folia Zoologica. 53 (1): 28–33.
  3. Mayer, Frieder; Dietz, Christian; Kiefer, Andreas (2007). "Molecular species identification boosts bat diversity" (PDF). Frontiers in Zoology. 4: 4. doi:10.1186/1742-9994-4-4. PMID 17295921.
  4. Benda, P.; Aulagnier, S. (2013). Kingdon, J.; Happold, D.; Butynski, T.; Hoffmann, M.; Happold, M.; Kalina, J. (eds.). Mammals of Africa. 4. A&C Black. p. 664-666. ISBN 9781408189962.
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