227.

Gaisler’s Long-eared Bat

Plecotus gaisleri

French: Oreillard de Gaisler / German: Gaisler-Langohr / Spanish: Orejudo de Gaisler

Other common names: Gaisler's Big-eared Bat

Taxonomy. Plecotus teneriffae gaisleri Benda et al., 2004,

“Central part of the Wadi Al Kuf (Jabal Akhdar Mts), ca. 8 km southwest of Massah, Al Jabal Al Akhdar Dist., Cyrenaica, north-eastern Libya, 32°42'N, 21°35'E ca. 330m a. s. 1.”

Previously treated within P aurtus, then P. austriacus, and then P. teneriffae . Based on morphological analyses, populations of Cyrenaica were separated as race gaisleri, with Maghreb populations tentatively included; but genetic evidence showed bats from these two regions to be distinct from each other. They were subsequently placed in P. kolombatovici as two races (one undescribed), but were later separated as P. gaisleri. Maghreb population appears to be taxonomically distinct, but has yet to be formally separated and described. Treated as monotypic. Distribution. Morocco E to N Libya, in Mediterranean zone; also tentatively Malta.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 45-55 mm, tail 44-52 mm, ear 33-40 mm, forearm 37-2— 40- 9 mm; weight 5-8 g. Gaisler’s Long-eared Bat differs from its closest congeners only in cranial and baculum dimensions, and is thus impossible to separate using only external morphologicaltraits. Dorsal fur generally dark brown, but sometimes hazelnut brown or dark umber, with hairs c. 7-8 mm long; ventral fur pale brown or yellowish; populations of Maghreb generally have paler fur. Face, wing membranes, ears, and tragus generally dark brown to dark gray-brown; tragus c.17- 2 mm long. Muzzle narrow, resembling the Gray Long-eared bat ( FP. austriacus), and glands surrounding mouth are tiny. Penis clubshaped as in the Gray Long-eared Bat and the Mediterranean Long-eared Bat (P. kolombatovict). Chromosomal complement has 2n = 32 and FNa = 50.

Habitat. Poorly known, due to recent taxonomic changes. The species has been found in various habitats, from sea level up to 2600 m in High Atlas, but is generally closely related to barren savanna, desert and semi-desert, usually associated with watercourses and oases. In Tunisia,it was found positively to select open habitats such as permanent water bodies partly surrounded by acacias near buildings.

Food and Feeding. Feeds on moths, flies, and small beetles, with apparent predilection for Lepidoptera; tendsto eat fleshy parts of prey, whereas wings and hard parts are usually discarded. It is a gleaner, and forages close to vegetation;it usually waits perched on an isolated branch, and then executes short flights to capture insects either in flight or while resting on top of a surface; once it has the prey, it flies back to the perch, where it will eat it. Has been seen hunting near lamps or in courtyards.

Breeding. Small maternity colonies have been reported at entrances of caves. During mating period no swarming sites have been described, but males are known to roost together in small clusters in caves.

Activity patterns. Normally roosts in rock crevices, caves, cellars, ruins, and fissures in arches. Hibernation takes place in caves. In Tunisia, the species has been recorded every month, but in the rest of its distribution, there is no information about its patterns. Echolocation is similar to that of European long-eared bats, with low-intensity highly modulated pulses (FM-QCF). Frequencies of maximum energy are c.28-30 kHz, usually with a very obvious second harmonic at ¢.50-60 kHz. Identification based solely on echolocation calls is not sufficiently reliable to distinguish species within this genus, but is usually enough to separate from other genera.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List. Apparently fairly widespread but no quantitative data are available, due to the recent taxonomic changes.

Bibliography. Ahmim & Oubaziz (2017), Baker et al. (1974), Benda, Ivanova et al. (2003), Benda, Kiefer et al. (2004), Bendjeddou et al. (2017), Borg & Sammut (2002), Dalhoumi et al. (2015, 2016a), Dietz & Kiefer (2016), Dieuleveut et al. (2010), Horaéek et al. (2000), Khelfaoui et al. (2018), Kiefer (2007), Mifsud & Vella (2019), Puechmaille, Hizem et al. (2012), Riccucci & Lanza (2014).