Eastern small-footed myotis

Myotis leibii

Myotis leibii is a bat species from the family of Myotis bats ( Vespertilionidae ), which is native to North America. The species is named after CG body, which collected the holotype.

Description

Myotis leibii with an average total length of 83 mm, a forearm length of 32.2 mm and a weight of 3.8 g of one of the smallest mouse ears of North America. The coat color is a dark yellow-brown, with a lighter belly and a black mask around the eyes. The individual hairs are black at the base with a yellow tip, which gives the skin a golden glow. The Kalkar is long and curved. M. leibii asked feet short (<8 mm, less than half as long as the tibia) and ears (<15 mm). The ears protrude when placed forward yet easy on the snout beyond. The California mouse-eared bat (Myotis californicus ) differs from M. leibii by the lack of a black mask. M. leibii and Myotis ciliolabrum can be distinguished only on the basis of the teeth, which is why M. ciliolabrum früber was regarded as a subspecies of M. leibii. The coat color is similar to that of the little brown bat ( Myotis lucifugus ), but M.leibii has shorter ears and feet, and a 4-8 mm shorter forearm. From the similarly sized Pipistrellus subflavus to M. leibii distinguished by the pointed tragus, the paler color and smaller ears.

Way of life

Myotis leibii usually occurs in mountainous regions. She is like most bats nocturnal and feeds on insects. During the day, the kind tucked away in buildings and crevices. The animals rarely form groups of more than 30 individuals and are therefore considered more as a loner. Relatively little is known about the life of M. leibii, since they usually only discovered in caves and mines during hibernation, where the species has often hides in crevices or hanging on walls and ceilings. Based on such counts, it is believed that the population consists of about 3,000 individuals, 60% have been found in a single cavity. it is assumed that there is in the distribution area about 125 different hibernating conditions, some of which are difficult to access, and the population size should therefore be underestimated. In general, the species is not considered to be rare. The species is still active at relatively low temperatures of up to -9 ° C in November and is one of the first bat species in the spring - usually the end of March - awakened from hibernation. She is active on warmer winter days and hunts. The winter roost M. divides leibii often with the Great ( Eptesicus fuscus ) and little brown bat ( Myotis lucifugus ), Pipistrellus and Myotis septentrionalis subflavus. M. leibii preference is well-ventilated areas of the caves, with a low temperature and low humidity. Probably M. belongs leibii to the migrating bat species that pull in the fall in warmer regions to spend the winter there.

Reproduction

The mating season takes place shortly before hibernation in the fall. During mating, the male mounts the female and holds on with the teeth in the neck of the female. In this case, the male is fixed the female using his thumb. The female deposited a sperm of the male over the winter, which ovulation occurs only in the spring and the egg is fertilized correspondingly late after mating. Each female gives birth in May or June of each one young per year.

Threats and conservation

Although the existence of Myotis leibii is classified by the IUCN as safely thanks to the wide distribution, it is still susceptible to interference and is therefore in many parts of North America under protection. The main danger lies in the commercial use of hibernation caves. Even seemingly small interfering sources such muffled sounds, light, or body heat can cause bats awaken from hibernation and lose important body reserves. Especially towards the end of hibernation such reserves may be essential for the survival of the animals. Protection measures do not always lead to the desired success, especially if the ecology of animals will not be considered. For example led blocking a cave entrance against unauthorized access in Quebec to inadequate ventilation, which prompted the colony to abandon the cave.

Distribution and habitat

Myotis leibii occurs up to the East Coast of the United States, and in Canada in southern Ontario and Quebec in the west of Oklahoma.