Ward's long-eared bat
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Plecotus
Species:
P. wardi
Binomial name
Plecotus wardi
Thomas, 1911
Synonyms

Plecotus ariel Thomas, 1911

Ward's long-eared bat (Plecotus wardi) is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is found in mountainous regions of South Asia and adjoining regions.[2]

Taxonomy

It was described in 1911 by Oldfield Thomas, but was later reclassified as conspecific with the grey long-eared bat (P. austriacus). However, a 2006 study confirmed it as a distinct species using genetic and morphological evidence, and revived it as such.[3] The results of this study have been followed by the American Society of Mammalogists, the IUCN Red List, and the ITIS.[1][2][4] It was named after Colonel A. E. Ward, an amateur naturalist and member of the Bombay Natural History Society.[5]

Plecotus ariel was described as a new species in 1911 by Oldfield Thomas. The holotype is the only individual that has ever been documented. It had been collected in Kangding, China at an elevation of 2,600 m (8,400 ft) above sea level, as part of the Duke of Bedford's Zoological Expedition, led by Malcolm Playfair Anderson.[6] It was similar in appearance to Ognev's long-eared bat.[7] It was sometimes included as a subspecies of the grey long-eared bat (Plecotus austriacus).[8] However, the same study that revived P. wardi found P. ariel to be synonymous with it, and thus synonymized P. ariel with it.[3] This has been followed by the ASM and the ITIS, although the IUCN still classifies P. ariel as a Data Deficient species.[2][4][9]

Distribution and habitat

It is found in the Himalayas and Hindu Kush mountains, ranging from northeastern Afghanistan through the Himalayas of India and Pakistan, south to Nepal and Sichuan, China. It roosts in caves surrounded by coniferous forest, and occasionally in human-built structures.[1]

Description

It has a forearm length of approximately 44 mm (1.7 in).[6] Its forearm, thumb, and claw lengths are among the greatest in its genus. It has a medium-sized skull relative to other members of its genus,[7] with a greatest length of 17.2 mm (0.68 in).[6] Its orbital processes and zygomatic arches are weak, with the orbit (eye socket) elliptical in shape. It can be differentiated from other members of Plecotus by its large body size and darker fur.[7]

Status

It may be threatened by cave tourism and destruction, both of which may lead to a decline in habitat quality. It may also be threatened by the demolition of abandoned buildings that serve as roosting sites. However, due to its wide distribution, it is presently listed as Least Concern.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Srinivasulu, C. & Srinivasulu, A. (2020). "Plecotus wardi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T85535265A85535306. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T85535265A85535306.en. Retrieved 19 February 2022.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. 1 2 3 "Explore the Database". www.mammaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  3. 1 2 Spitzenberger, Friederike; Strelkov, Petr P.; Winkler, Hans; Haring, Elisabeth (2006). "A preliminary revision of the genus Plecotus (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) based on genetic and morphological results". Zoologica Scripta. 35 (3): 187–230. doi:10.1111/j.1463-6409.2006.00224.x. ISSN 1463-6409. S2CID 86065200.
  4. 1 2 "ITIS - Report: Plecotus wardi". www.itis.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
  5. ↑ Bo., Beolens (2009). The eponym dictionary of mammals. Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-9533-3. OCLC 593239356.
  6. 1 2 3 Thomas, Oldfield (1911). "10. 'The Duke of Bedford' s Zoological Exploration of Eastern Asia.- XIII. On Mammals from the Provinces of Kan-su and Sze-chwan, Western China". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 81: 158–180. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1911.tb06996.x.
  7. 1 2 3 Spitzenberger, Friederike; Strelkov, Petr P.; Winkler, Hans; Haring, Elisabeth (2006). "A preliminary revision of the genus Plecotus (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) based on genetic and morphological results". Zoologica Scripta. 35 (3): 187–230. doi:10.1111/j.1463-6409.2006.00224.x. S2CID 86065200.
  8. ↑ "Plecotus ariel Thomas, 1911". ITIS. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  9. ↑ "Plecotus ariel: Fukui, D." IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018-08-31. doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2019-3.rlts.t85534953a85534957.en. S2CID 240252899. Retrieved 2022-02-20.
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