Lasiurus intermedius H. Allen 1862

D, K D., L, A M., M, B, B, R J. & A, L K., 2012, N C R 14 B S B S S T D S H S, Occasional Papers of the Museum 315, pp. 1-16 : 5-6

Lasiurus intermedius H. Allen 1862

Northern Yellow bat

The northern yellow bat previously was thought to occur primarily along the Gulf Coast. Inland records in the South Central Plains, East Central Great Plains, and Blackland Prairies ecological regions were rare ( Ammerman et al. 2012). The distribution of L. intermedius seems to be closely linked with the distribution of Spanish moss, a preferred roosting site of the bat ( Schmidly 2004). In southern Texas, palm trees also serve as a common roosting site. Because palm trees are utilized by both L. ega and L. intermedius , these species have been found roosting together in the large dead leaves ( Spencer et al. 1988; Chapman and Chapman 1990). L. intermedius may be distinguished from L. ega by its larger size (average total body length = 133 mm, average forearm = 53 mm). Specimens submitted to DSHS have expanded the known distribution of the species across the southern tip of Texas from the Gulf Coast to the bend of the Rio Grande (Frio, Starr, Uvalde, and Webb counties) and also provide new records from additional counties within the known distribution of the species ( Ammerman et al. 2012).

Frio County.— An adult female specimen ( TTU 113405 , TK 171017) was received from this county in the Southern Texas Plains region of Texas on 18 March 2010. The recorded measurements for the specimen were a total length of 135 mm, hind foot length of 12 mm, and a forearm length of 53 mm .

Jim Wells County.—An adult male specimen (TTU 113565, TK 171177) was received on 17 July 2008. The specimen had a recorded total length of 118 mm, a hind foot length of 9 mm, and a forearm length of 52 mm. Jim Wells County was previously listed as a DSHS record. Because the specimen supporting the record was discarded, we consider the new voucher specimen a new county record.

Starr County.— Three specimens were received from this county in the Southern Texas Plains region . A female ( TTU 113574 , TK 171186) received on 5 July 2008 had a total body length of 124 mm and forearm measurement of 57 mm. An adult female specimen ( TTU 113575 , TK 171187), with a total body length of 125 mm and a forearm length of 51 mm, was received on 11 July 2008 . A male specimen ( TTU 113595 , TK 171207) with a recorded total body length of 127 mm and a forearm measurement of 53 mm was received on 26 July 2008 .

Uvalde County.— A juvenile male ( TTU 113409 , TK 171021) received on 10 July 2010 expanded the geographic range of L. intermedius to the west. This county occupies two ecoregions, the Edwards Plateau and the Southern Texas Plains .

Webb County.— Webb County previously was outside of the known range for L. intermedius . Between August 2008 and June 2010, six northern yellow bat specimens were received from Webb County , result- ing in an extension of the known distribution. On 23 August 2008, a female ( TTU 113407 , TK 171019) was received. The following year two female specimens were received, one on 22 April 2009 ( TTU 113459 , TK 171071) and a second on 28 August 2009 ( TTU 113404 , TK 171016). Three specimens were received in 2010; a female ( TTU 113403 , TK 171015) received on 12 January , an adult male ( TTU 113408 , TK 171020) received on 23 March , and a female ( TTU 113410 , TK 171022) received on 15 June. Webb County is located in the Southern Texas Plains ecoregion .

Willacy County.— Eight specimens represent new county records for the species ( Ammerman et al. 2012). An adult female was received on 17 March 2009 ( TTU 113461 , TK 171073) . An adult male was received on 27 June 2009 ( TTU 113463 , TK 171075) . A second adult female was received on 8 July 2009 ( TTU 113462 , TK 171074) . Two females ( TTU 114576 , TK 173076; TTU 114582 , TK 173082), a male ( TTU 114628 , TK 173128), and two specimens of undetermined sex ( TTU 114627 , TK 173127; TTU 114620 , TK 173120) were received on 24 June 2011 .