Peninsular myotis explained

The peninsular myotis (Myotis peninsularis) is a species of vesper bat. It is endemic to northwestern Mexico, found only within Baja California Sur state on the southern Baja California Peninsula. Its habitats include the southern Peninsular Ranges and deserts.

Taxonomy and etymology

It was first encountered in August 1896 by Loye H. Miller.It was described by Gerrit Smith Miller Jr. in 1898.[1] It was previously considered a subspecies of the cave myotis, Myotis velifer.[2] Its species name peninsularis is Latin in origin, meaning "of or connected with a peninsula."

Description

It is 91mm long.Its tail is 34mm long, and does not extend past the uropatagium.Its forearm is 39mm long.[1]

Range and habitat

It is only found in southern Baja California.[3]

Conservation

It is currently listed as endangered by the IUCN.It meets the criteria to be listed as endangered because it is only found to in three or four locations, its extent of occurrence is less than 4000km2, and its habitat is expected to decline in quality in extent in the future.Threats to this species tourist activities.

Notes and References

  1. Miller Jr, G. S. (1898). XVII.—Description of a new bat from lower California. Journal of Natural History, 2(8), 124-125.
  2. Book: Hall . Eugene . Kelson. Keith. 1959 . The Mammals of North America . registration . University of California . Ronald Press Co..
  3. Simmons, N.B. 2005. Order Chiroptera. Pp. 312–529 in Wilson, D.E. and Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: a taxonomic and geographic reference. 3rd ed. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols., 2142 pp. .