Himalayan Long-Tailed Myotis

Himalayan Long-Tailed Myotis Latest News

Recently, researchers have discovered a new species of bat named Himalayan long-tailed Myotis (Myotis himalaicus).

About Himalayan Long-Tailed Myotis

• It is a new species of bat found in the Western Himalayan region.
• It belongs to a group of morphologically similar species called the Myotis frater complex, which has a wide distribution from eastern China, Taiwan, central and southeastern Siberia, Korea, Japan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
• Habitat: The Himalayan long-tailed Myotis, which inhabits Deodar, Pine, and Cedar forests, appears to be a rare species native to the southern slopes of the Himalayas.
• Distribution: These bats have been found in Uttarakhand, India, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

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Features Of Himalayan Long-Tailed Myotis

• It is considered “medium-sized,” reaching about 3.5 inches in length and weighing less than an ounce
• They have “delicate” feet and “relatively long” thumbs ending in “a strong but short claw.” Their heads have “short” ears and “rather delicate” teeth.

Ecological Significance of Bats

• Bats contribute to overall biodiversity and the health of ecosystems.
• Insect Predators: Throughout the night, bats devour insects in farms, fields, forests, grasslands and around our homes, including agricultural pests and disease-causing mosquitoes.
• Bat droppings (guano) mined from caves are widely used as a fertilizer for agricultural crops as they have high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorous.
• Pollinators: Some bats sip nectar, pollinate flowers, eat fruits, and spread the seeds of many important tree species.

Himalayan Long-Tailed Myotis FAQs

Q1: What do long-tailed bats eat?

Ans: An aerial insectivore, they feed on small moths, midges, mosquitoes and beetles.

Q2: What is the biggest bat?

Ans: The giant golden-crowned flying fox

Source: TH