235.

Sichuan Long-eared Bat

Plecotus ariel

French: Oreillard du Sichuan / German: Sichuan-Langohr / Spanish: Orejudo de Sichuan

Taxonomy. Plecotus ariel Thomas, 1911,

“Ta-tsien-lu [= Kangding], Sze-chwan [= Sichuan],” China.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from type locality in W Sichuan, C China.

Descriptive notes. Forearm 44 mm (type specimen). The Sichuan Long-eared Bat is a large Plecotus, very similar to Ward's Long-eared Bat ( P. wardi), but with grizzled dark brown dorsal pelage (¢. 9 mm long) and slightly paler ventral color (¢. 8 mm); fur is of medium length compared to congeners. Face and muzzle almost black. Along with bodysize, dark fur is the most diagnostic character that separates this species from congeners. Wings are remarkably large. Thumbs are among the largest in the genus (c.7- 5 mm long). Patagium, tail, and foot are almost naked; brownish toes have few hairs, and are much stronger than in Ward’s Long-eared Bat. Skull is medium-large, resembling Ognev’s Long-eared Bat ( P. ognevi), c. 17 mm long, but with swollen braincase and broad interorbital process, with no concavity in frontal region; bullae are notably large.

Habitat. The holotype was collected in an arboreal refuge.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The [UCN Red List.

Bibliography. Simmons (2005), Smith & Xie Yan et al. (2008), Spitzenberger, Strelkov & Haring (2003), Spitzenberger, Strelkov, Winkler & Haring (2006), Thomas (1911b).