long-tailed myotis
{{Short description|Species of vesper bat}}
{{Speciesbox
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| taxon = Myotis longicaudatus
| authority = Ognev, 1927
| range_map = Distribution of Myotis frater.png
| range_map_caption = M. longicaudatus subspecies:
{{leftlegend|green|M. l. eniseensis}}{{leftlegend|grey|M. l. longicaudatus}}{{leftlegend|orange|M. l. kaguyae}}
| synonyms = Myotis frater longicaudatus
}}
The long-tailed myotis (Myotis longicaudatus) is a species of vesper bat found in northern and eastern Asia.{{Cite web|title=Explore the Database|url=https://www.mammaldiversity.org/explore.html#species-id=1005430|access-date=2022-02-01|website=www.mammaldiversity.org}}
Taxonomy
Previously thought to be a subspecies of the fraternal myotis (M. frater), it was split as a distinct species by a 2015 study based on molecular evidence.{{Cite journal|last1=RUEDI|first1=MANUEL|last2=CSORBA|first2=GÁBOR|last3=LIN|first3=LIANG-KONG|last4=CHOU|first4=CHENG-HAN|date=2015-02-20|title= Molecular phylogeny and morphological revision of Myotis bats(Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Taiwan and adjacent China
Distribution and habitat
It has a wide distribution across North Asia and East Asia east of the Altai Mountains, from southern Siberia and Mongolia south to Korea and Japan. It is found in a wide range of habitats, both natural and artificial, and is thus considered a generalist species. In Japan, it has been observed roosting in tree cavities, tunnels, bridges, and buildings. It has been observed foraging along streets in Hokkaido.
Description
It is a relatively small bat with dark brown wings. Its hind legs are slightly longer than other Myotis species, and the tail length is similar to the head-to-body length. Its pelage is dorsally dark brown and ventrally dark ivory. Its ears are short, dark brown in color, and have a pointed tragus.{{Cite journal|last1=JO|first1=YEONG-SEOK|last2=BACCUS|first2=JOHN T.|last3=KOPROWSKI|first3=JOHN L.|date=2018-11-18|title=Mammals of Korea: a review of their taxonomy, distribution and conservation status|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4522.1.1|journal=Zootaxa|volume=4522|issue=1|pages=1–216|doi=10.11646/zootaxa.4522.1.1|pmid=30486139 |s2cid=54145825 |issn=1175-5334}}
Behavior
During the summer, this species may sometimes share roosting caves with the eastern water bat (M. petax); however, both species hibernate separately during the winter.