Lesser mouse-eared bat
Lesser Mouse- eared bat (Myotis blythii )
The Lesser Mouse-eared Bat (Myotis blythii ) is a bat species from the genus mouse ears, which was described in 1857 by Robert Fisher Tomes first time. The scientific species name honors the British zoologist Edward Blyth.
Description
The Little Mouse ear is very similar to the slightly larger Greater mouse-eared bat. It reaches a head -body length from 62 to 71 (rarely from 54, or to 76 ) mm and a weight of 15 to 28 grams. The wingspan is 380-400 mm, the Condylobasallänge 17.2 to 18.5 millimeters. The tail is 53 to 59 (maximum 60 ) mm long, the ears 19.8 to 23.5 (maximum 26 ) mm and the forearm from 52.5 to 59 (maximum 62.5 ) mm. The ears are narrow and shorter than that of the greater mouse- ear. The front edge of the ears is not so strongly curved backwards, and the ears pointed to run. The tragus is narrow at the base, lanceolate and is almost half as long as the ear. The outer edge of the ear has 5-6 transverse folds. The muzzle is compared to the big long-eared narrower and more pointed, which makes it look longer. The coat is short, and the hair base is dark gray. The top is gray with a brownish tinge, the underside is gray-white contrast. Ears, nose and wing membranes are pale gray-brown. The tragus is bright yellowish white. Flight skin of the arms is at the base of the toes. The spur is about half as long as the tail wing membrane and has a narrow cutaneous rim on. In Switzerland, found animals usually have a bright spot between the ears. Other anomalies with respect to the coloring are not known.
In a karyologischen investigation of three females from Iran a chromosome number of 2n = 44 was found.
Dissemination
The distribution area of the lesser mouse- ear includes southern Europe and the Mediterranean. In the north the type to Spain, south-eastern France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova is to be found. In Switzerland and in Austria there are only isolated finds.
Habitat
The Lesser Mouse-eared comes in heat- favored areas before in loose tree and shrub collections, parks, karst areas, but also in villages. The species was observed at altitudes of 1000 meters.
Way of life
The nurseries are located mainly in warm caves, but also attics are accepted. They comprise up to 5000 animals. The quarters are often divided with long wing bats and horseshoe bats, occasionally also with the greater mouse-eared. Rarely individual animals are also found in tree holes. The winter roosts are caves and tunnels in which is predominantly overwinters freely suspended at 6-12 ° C. The Lesser Mouse-eared is a migrateable type, the longest documented migration was 600 km wide.
The mating season begins in the fall and is likely to last until spring. Males can have a harem of several females. The females give birth to one offspring to the world.
Little Mouse ears are up to 13 years old. They hunt in the dark or the late dusk. Their flight is slow and evenly, they are in a confined space maneuverable than the greater mouse-eared. Food is probably taken from the ground. Be captured beetles and moths.