226.

Canary Long-eared Bat

Plecotus teneriffae

French: Oreillard de Tenerife / German: Teneriffa-Langohr / Spanish: Orejudo canario

Other common names: Canary Big-eared Bat, Tenerife Long-eared Bat

Taxonomy. Plecotus teneriffae Barrett-Hamilton, 1907,

“Orotava [= La Orotava], Teneriffe [= Tenerife],” Canary Islands.

Previously included in P. auritus or P. austriacus, but split on morphological grounds. No significant genetic differences were found within the Canary Islands. There are populations of Plecotus along the Senegal River in Senegal and the Cape Verde Islands that were thought to be related to P. teneriffae, but they likely are a distinct species and are not included here under any currently recognized species. Monotypic.

Distribution. Canary Is, on Tenerife, La Palma, and El Hierro; probably also La Gomera.

Descriptive notes. Head—-body 45-55 mm, tail 44-52 mm, ear 33-40 mm, forearm 40- 1-46 mm. Females tend to be larger than males. Fur dark brown or gray on dorsum, and paler bright whitish on belly. It has closer genetic affinities with the Gray Long-eared Bat ( P. austriacus) than with the Brown Long-eared Bat ( P. auritus), but morphologically it is very similar to the Brown Long-eared Bat. Dental formula is12/3,C1/1,P2/3,M 3/3 (x2) = 36.

Habitat. Coniferous and deciduous or mixed woodlands at elevations of up to 2300 m; also found in many other habitats, including semi-open and more desertic or rocky areas.

Food and Feeding. Feeds mostly on Lepidoptera (moths), including Noctua, Euxoa, Agrotis, Caradrina, Paranataelia, Calliteara, Cleora, and Gnophos; also takes Coleoptera (long-horned beetles) and some Diptera . Main foraging strategy is gleaning, although it can also capture prey by aerial-hawking low down. Occasionally hunts over forest canopy, and over small streams.

Breeding. Maternity colonies usually harbor a few tens (up to 60). Currently only two breeding colonies are known, and data on reproductive patterns are available from just one cave. On La Palma, pregnant females have been found in May. Females give birth in June, and some young start to fly in July. Mating seemsto start in late September.

Activity patterns. Tends to roost in volcanic tubes, caves, and crevices in old houses or in rocky areas; use of tree holes and bat boxes has never been recorded. Uses network of caves and underground sites for resting during night; activity patternsstill poorly known.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Sedentary. Reported to move from main breeding cave to alternative roosts, probably in cliffs of rocky areas. No long movements reported; maximum distances of 5-6 km reported within two islands.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. Major threats include pesticides, and in 1950s populations declined after widespread aerial fumigation; also habitatloss, and roost disturbance or destruction. Total population may number 500-2000.

Bibliography. Benda, Kiefer et al. (2004), Benzal & Fajardo (1999), Dietz & Kiefer (2016), Hutterer et al. (2005), Ibanez & Fernandez (1985), Juste & Alcalde (2016b), Juste et al. (2004), Pacifici et al. (2013), Pestano, Brown, Suarez, Benzal & Fajardo (2003), Spitzenberger et al. (2006), Trujillo (2002), Trujillo & Barone (1991).