Plecotus

Brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus )

The long-eared bats ( Plecotus ) are a genus within the suborder of bats and the family of Myotis bats ( Vespertilionidae ) are assigned. The exact number of species is still unclear, in some species, it is debatable whether it is independent or only subspecies. Several types have been described only recently. The genus is widespread in Eurasia and North Africa, at least five species of the genus are also found in Europe.

Description

The animals are distinguished mainly by the eponymous long ears, which measure about 30 millimeters and therefore often are just as long as the entire rest of the body. Both ears are at the front connected to the base via a fold of skin. The nostrils of the animals opening upwards and the nose area is characterized by distinct glands. The fur of long-eared bats is colored brown or gray-brown, the underside is lighter. The animals reach a body length 40-53 mm, a tail length of 34 mm to 50 mm and a weight of 5 to 14 grams.

Way of life

Long-eared bats inhabit a variety of habitats, including forests and open areas, often they are found also in the vicinity of man. Like most bats are nocturnal, during the day they sleep in caves, hollow trees or in buildings. Thereby to form groups of five to twenty animals. At night, they go in search of food; their diet consists almost entirely of insects. All long-eared bats are able to expel through the nose even with a closed mouth locating calls. The animals in colder climates hibernate, which they often retreat into their own winter quarters.

Reproduction

The European species, copulation is often done in the fall, the seed is then stored in the reproductive tract of the female. Only in the spring it comes to fertilization and birth. Usually a single young is born, this is weaned at six to seven weeks and reached with one to three years maturity. Long-eared bats are long-lived animals, for a female brown long-eared an age of 30 years is occupied.

System

External system

The closest relatives of the long-eared bats are the American long-eared bats ( Corynorhinus ), the Allen- long-eared bat ( Idionycteris phyllotis ), the spotted bat ( Euderma maculatum ) and the barbastelle ( Barbastella ), together they form the generic group of Plecotini.

Internal system

The exact number of species is controversial, in some species, it is debatable whether it is independent or only subspecies. Several types have been described only recently. According to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System ( ITIS) seven valid species are described, genus, however, which indicated the types of nowadays as American long-eared bats ( Corynorhinus ) are still included .. A revision of the genus Plecotus designate at least 19 species:

• Plecotus ariel
• The brown long- eared bat (Plecotus auritus ) is common throughout Eurasia.
• The gray long- eared bat (Plecotus austriacus ) lives in Eurasia.
• The Ethiopian long-eared bat ( Plecotus balensis ) was only in 2000 recognized as a separate species. It is native to the highlands of Ethiopia.
• Plecotus begognae
• The East African long-eared bat ( Plecotus christii ) is native to northeastern Africa and the Sinai.
• The Northwest African long-eared bat ( Plecotus gaisleri ) is located in north-western Africa.
• Plecotus homochrous
• The Balkan long-eared bat (Plecotus kolombatovici ) lives in Southeastern Europe and Anatolia.
• Plecotus kozlovi
• Plecotus macrobullaris inhabited mountains in South and South-East Europe and the Middle East
• Plecotus ognevi
• Plecotus sacrimontis
• The Sardinian Long- eared bat (Plecotus sardus ) is endemic to Sardinia.
• Plecotus strelkovi
• The Taiwan - long-eared bat (Plecotus taivanus ) lives only on the island of Taiwan.
• The Canaries - long-eared bat (Plecotus teneriffae ) is endemic to the Canary Islands.
• Plecotus turkmenicus
• Plecotus wardi

In some classifications the Canaries - long-eared bat, the Balkan long-eared and the Northwest African long-eared are combined into a common type Plecotus teneriffae.