199.

Gobi Serotine

Eptesicus gobiensis

French: Sérotine de Gobi / German: Gobi-Breitflligelfledermaus / Spanish: Eptesicus de Gobi

Other common names: Gobi Big Brown Bat

Taxonomy. Eptesicus nilssonii gobiensis Bobrinski, 1926,

Burchastei-tala, Gobi Altai Mountains, Mongolia.

Eptesicus gobiensis appears to be closely related to E. nilssonii, which it has occasionally been included under, and E. serotinus . Eptesicus gobiensis includes E. bobrinskoi as a subspecies following recent genetic and morphological studies that proved they were conspecific. There is some morphological variability across the distribution, but there is currently no evidence to support subspecific recognition of centralasiaticus or kashgaricus, besides pelage color. Both taxa are tentatively considered synonyms of the nominate subspecies. Specimens from all parts of the distribution need to be tested genetically or morphologically; there seems to be a number of morphotypes across the distribution, indicating that a number of taxa might be included under E. gobiensis as currently defined. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

E.g.gobiensisBobrinski,1926—SKazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan,SRussia(Tuva),W&SMongolia,NW&NChina,NEAfghanistan,NPakistan(Gilgitarea),andIndia(recordofuncertainidentity);thereisadubiousreportfromNepal.

E. g. bobrinskoi Kuzyakin, 1935 — W & C Kazakhstan and NW Iran.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 49-67 mm,tail 38-5-51 mm, ear 9-5-16 mm, hindfoot 9-10 mm, forearm 37-5-44 mm; weight 9-15 g. Dorsal pelage of the Gobi Serotine is variable but generally pale tawny to buff (roots of hairs dark), ranging from pale ocherous tawny or warm buff (with black bare skin on ears, face, and membranes) to very pale light buff (with pale gray skin). Ventral pelage is lighter, generally straw white (roots of hairs nearly black). Ears are subtriangular, with broadly rounded tips,slightly convex anterior margins, and mostly concave posterior margins, with convexity at bases; tragus is short with rounded tip, curving forward. Baculum is short and roughly Tto Y-shaped, with shallowly bifurcated and wide base, short shaft, and rounded tip. Skull is relatively low; supraorbital ridge is extenuated; rostrum, palate, and zygomatic arches are narrow; and condylo-basal length is 15-1 mm (one specimen). I* is bicuspid, I’ is distinctly shorter than I?, and lower molars are myotodont.

Habitat. Variety of desert, semi-desert, and steppe habitats, often in mountainous terrain up to elevations of 2585 m in Iran and 3350 m in Pakistan but in deserts as low as 200 m. Gobi Serotines are sometimes found in areas of human habitation.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. The Gobi Serotine apparently has slow reproductive and growth rates and usually has only one young/pregnancy.

Activity patterns. Gobi Serotines forage during the night and appear to have an activity peak a little after sunset. They generally roost in cracks in rocks or buildings and rarely in front parts of caves.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Gobi Serotine roosts alone or in small groups.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Subspecies bobrinskoi is listed as a distinct species also classified as Least Concern. The Gobi Serotine is widespread but considered one of the rarest species of bats in nearly all parts of its distribution. There do not seem to be any major threats, but additional research is needed to better understand its status.

Bibliography. Artyushin, Bannikova et al. (2009), Artyushin, Kruskop et al. (2018), Artyushin, Lebedev, Smirnov & Kruskop (2012), Bates & Harrison (1997), Batsaikhan et al. (2010), Benda & Gaisler (2015), Benda & Reiter (2006), Benda et al. (2012), Davie et al. (2012), Dolch et al. (2007), Horacek et al. (2000), Smith & Xie Yan (2008), Strelkov (1986, 1989), Stubbe, Ariunbold, Buuveibaatar, Dorjderem, Monkhzul, Otgonbaatar, Tsogbadrakh & Tsytsulina (2008), Tsytsulina (2008c).