398.

Peninsular Myotis

Myotis peninsularis

French: Murin des caps / German: Niederkalifornien-Mausohr / Spanish: Ratonero del Cabo San Lucas

Taxonomy. Myotis peninsularis G. S. Miller, 1898,

“San José del Cabo, Lower Califor nia [= Baja California, Mexico].”

Subgenus Pizonyx; albescens species group. Myotis peninsularis has been considered a subspecies of M. velifer, but morphology and mitochondrial phylogeny suggest it is a distinct species. Monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to S Baja California Peninsula in NW Mexico.

Descriptive notes. Head-body c.41 48 mm, tail 36-46 mm, ear 14-18 mm, hindfoot 7-10 mm, forearm 37-40- 6 mm; weight 4-7 g. Females are slightly externally larger than males. The Peninsular Myotis is one of the largest species of Myotis in North America. It is very similar in appearance to the Cave Myotis ( M. velifer) but smaller. Fur is long and woolly. Dorsal hairs are bicolored, with dark grayish brown bases and reddish to yellowish brown tips. Ventral hairs are lighter than dorsum, with dark brown bases and buff tips. Two color morphs occur: one dull and the other more reddish. Males have brighter dorsum (more yellowish or orangish) than females. Ears are comparatively long, extending forward halfway from eye to nostril. Membranes are dark brown; plagiopatagium is broadly attached to foot at base oftoes; calcar is well developed, terminating in minute lobule but not keeled. Upper and lower surfaces of uropatagium are barely covered with hairs. Skull is large and robust (greatest length of skull 14-2-15- 6 mm); sagittal and lambdoidal crests are present and well developed; braincase is medium-sized; and rostrum is broader relative to total length of skull.

Habitat. Xeric scrublands to forests in desert shrubland, tropical deciduous forests, oak forests, and pine-oak forests from sea level up to elevations of ¢. 2200 m.

Food and Feeding. The Peninsular Myotis forages in forested areas, open habitats, and near water bodies, where insects are caught in flight.

Breeding. Mating of Peninsular Myotis occurs in late summer and autumn and sometimes in spring. Pregnant females were recorded in May-June, with parturition occurring in late June and early July. Females have one young per pregnancy. Volant young have been caught at the end ofJuly. An estimated 5000 females and young occupied a large cave at Las Cuevas. A maternity colony of c.100 females and young was found in crevices of an abandoned house.

Activity patterns. The Peninsular Myotis roosts in caves, tunnels, sewers, abandoned buildings, and palm roofs of houses.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Peninsular Myotis forms roosts of more than 5000 individuals. It shares roosts with other bats, including a maternity colony of Brazilian Free-tailed Bats (7adarida brasiliensis) and c.100 Lesser Antillean Funnel-eared Bats ( Natalus stramineus).

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Peninsular Myotis has a very restricted distribution and is known from few locations on southern end of the Baja California Peninsula. Its extent of occurrence (c. 4000 km?) and forest habitat are declining due to expanding tourism. It occurs in disrupted landscapes (e.g. suburban areas). Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve protects a large part of its distribution.

Bibliography. Alvarez-Castafieda & Bogan (1998), Arroyo-Cabrales & Ospina-Garces (2016b), Ceballos & Mellink (2014), Hall (1981), Hall & Kelson (1959), Miller (1898b), Miller & Allen (1928), Najera-Cortazar et al. (2015), Woloszyn & Woloszyn (1982).