399.

Guatemalan Myotis

Myotis cobanensis

French: Murin du Guatemala / German: Guatemala-Mausohr / Spanish: Ratonero de Guatemala

Taxonomy. Myotis velifer cobanensis G. G. Goodwin, 1955,

“cathedral Coban, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, altitude 1305 meters.”

Subgenus Pizonyx; albescens species group. Myotis cobanensis is known only from two specimens; it was originally described as a subspecies of M. velifer and later raised to a distinct species based on morphology. Myotis cobanensis has not been included in any molecular analysis, and its taxonomic status is doubtful. Monotypic.

Distribution. Know only from type locality in Coban, C Guatemala.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 35 mm, tail 35- 5 mm, ear 12- 5 mm, hindfoot 9 mm, forearm 42 mm (single individual). The Guatemalan Myotis is morphologically similar to the Cave Myotis ( M. velifer). Dorsal fur reaches 6 mm, with general sepia color and small contrast between bases and slightly lighter tips. Ventral fur has dark bases and dark yellowish-brown tips on chest and throat and is heavily washed with pinkish buff in inguinal region. Muzzle and eye region are darker than rest of head; hairs on base oftail and arms are pinkish buff to their bases. Ears are large and extend slightly beyond muzzle when laid forward. Tragus is long and slender, with broad base and narrower terminal one-half; anterior edge is almost straight; and tip is rounded. Membranes and skin are blackish brown. Fur on dorsal surface of uropatagium reaches knees, and fringe of scarce hairs is visible on its posterior edge. Wing membranes attached to outer toes. Braincase is high and globular, with strong slope from broad rostrum to forehead. Sagittal crest is present, and lambdoidal crests are moderately well developed but do not extend to sagittal crest. I' and I? are subequal, I' have posterior secondary cusps, and I? have well-developed concave surfaces and tips directed to C'. P?is minute and almost not visible laterally. Length of maxillary tooth row is slightly shorter than width of palate between posterior upper molars.

Habitat. Close to agricultural lands and forests at 1305 m (type locality).

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Type specimens were collected in a building.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. The Guatemalan Myotis is known from only one locality, and more information is necessary to assessits conservation status.

Bibliography. Cajas & Miller (2016), Goodwin (1955), LaVal (1973b), McCarthy & Perez (2006), Simmons (2005), de la Torre (1958).