173.

Strange Big-eared Brown Bat

Histiotus alienus

French: Sérotine de Santa Catarina / German: Merkwirdige Grokohrfledermaus / Spanish: Histiotus de Santa Catarina

Taxonomy. Histiotus alienus Thomas, 1916,

“Joinville, Santa Catherina [= Catarina],” Brazil.

Histiotus alienus has been considered a subspecies of H. montanus, and some authors suggest that it could be an oriental form of H. macrotus . Most authors consider it a full species, but its taxonomic status is uncertain.

Itis known only from the holotype; specimens from Uruguay identified as H. alienus actually correspond to H. montanus . Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from type locality in S Brazil.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 54 mm, tail 45 mm, ear 29 mm, forearm 45 mm (type specimen). General color of the Strange Big-eared Brown Bat is dark brown, with slightly paler venter. Ears are large and connected by conspicuous membrane (¢. 2 mm high). Tragus is broad, long, and pointed at tip. Membranes and ears are dark gray.

Habitat. Type locality was in Atlantic Forest at an elevation below 100 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. Studies on distribution, habitat, and ecology of the Strange Big-eared Brown Bat are needed to clarify its conservation status and threats.

Bibliography. Barquez et al. (1999), Bianconi & Pedro (2017), Cabrera (1958), Gonzalez & Barquez (2016b), Handley & Gardner (2008), Linares (1973), Simmons (2005), Thomas (1916b).