493.

Zenati Myotis

Myotis zenatius

French: Murin zénéte / German: Zenati-Mausohr / Spanish: Ratonero zenate

Other common names: Zenati Bat

Taxonomy. Myotis zenatius Ibanez et al . in Juste et al, 2019,

“Mizou Cave, Tetouan, Moraceo (ca. 35°30' 42"N, 5°19'33"W), at an altitude of 330 m a.s.1.”

Subgenus Myotis; myotis species group. See M. nattereri . The name M. escalerai cabrerae was recently proposed by E. Coraman and colleagues in 2019 based on populations that are now included under this species; the name is considered a nomen nudum as the publication did not include a proper description for the name. Monotypic.

Distribution. NW Africa, including Morocco, Algeria; also possibly in Tunisia.

Descriptive notes. Head—-body 44-48 mm, tail 38-42 mm, ear 15-3-17- 3 mm, hindfoot 7-9-8-7, forearm 38- 2—40 mm. The Zenati Myotis is very similar to the other species in the M. nattereri species complex, which makesits identification complicated. As in Escalera’s Myotis ( M. escalerai), plagiopatagium is inserted in mid-metatarsus, making it clearly distinguishable from the Cryptic Myotis (M. crypticus) and Natterer’s Myotis ( M. nattereri), which have wings attached to bases oftoes. Line of hair at edge of uropatagium is similar to that of Escalera’s Myotis, with two lines of bristles, one pointing outward and the another pointing inward, with thicker aspect than in the Cryptic Myotis and Natterer’s Myotis . Dorsal and ventral fur color is similar among all these species, but dorsum is generally much darker on the Zenati Myotis . Hairs also seem distinctly tricolored: black bases, brown middles, and white tips. Other morphological traits are common among all species in this species complex: relatively long ears, with several folds on outer edges that make them foldable; long, pointed, and straight tragus surpassing one-half the ear length;hairless face; narrow, long, and pointed muzzle; comparatively short feet, less than one-half the tibia length; and naked wings,ears, and tail membrane. Uropatagium is also enclosed by S-shaped long calcar. Skull is small and delicate with high braincase and strongly concave forehead regions; there are no sagittal or occipital crests; very similar to Escalera’s Myotis, although it can be distinguished byits broader and more globose braincase, generally more delicate skull structure, and slightly smaller dimensions (except for wider postorbital constriction). P? is more than one-half height and about three-quarters crown area of P* and is within tooth row; lower molars are myotodont.

Habitat. Known from northern slopes of the Riff to dry mountains and several different lowland habitats from sea level up to relatively high mountains.

Food and Feeding. The Zenati Myotis is probably a gleaner, with the capacity to hover, and probably forages in dense cluttered habitats and close to the ground. It probably hunts arthropods on surfaces of leaves or directly from the ground.

Breeding. The Zenati Myotis breeds in caves.

Activity patterns. Along with Escalera’s Myotis, Zenati Myotis seem to be strictly cave dwelling.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The [UCN Red List. Zenati Myotis is one of the rarest bats in the Mediterranean region.

Bibliography. Coraman et al. (2019), Juste et al. (2019), Puechmaille, Allegrini et al. (2012), Ruedi et al. (2019), Salicini et al. (2011, 2012, 2013).