Myotis brandtii (Eversmann, 1845)
Vespertilionidae

Least Concern

Description

Slightly larger than the similar whiskered (Myotis mystacinus) and Alcathoe bat (Myotis alcathoe) but slightly smaller than David's mouse-eared bat (Myotis davidii), this species presents a forearm length between 33 and 38 mm, a wingspan of 190 to 240 mm and weights between 5 and 7 gr. The fur is light-brown with golden tips and the ventral side is not clearly demarcated, being grey coloured.  Younger individuals are almost black and become lighter as they age. The skin areas are brownish, while the lower part of the tragus and the inside of the ear are paler. This species has characteristically long ears, and can be distinguished by other similar "whiskered bats" by its uniformally shaped penis and some dental characters.

Distribution

This species is dirtributed mainly in central and northern Europe, including the southern half of Scandinavia. Its distribution reaches Russia up to the Urals and further eastwards, thouh its eastern range limit is unclear because of its confusion with similar species. It is also found in Great Britain and ocasionally in the Caucasus.

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Roosts and phenology

Meternity roosts are usually in tree holes, cracks in trunks and behind peeling bark. Also in crevices of wooden cladding of buildings and crevices in roost spaces. Maternity colonies usually comprise 20 to 60 females, but there are some known roosts with more than 200 individuals. In bat boxes around 20 females can be found in mixed colonies with Nathusius's (Pipistrellus nathusii) and soprano pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pygmaeus). A single young is born during June in central Europe and nursery colonies disperse by the end of July. Females become sexually mature only in the second year.

Mostly a sedentary species, with the seasonal migration distance being usually less than 40 km. Five records of movements of more than 100 km are known, with the longest distance being 308 km. Males gather at swarming sites from the beginning of August. Mating takes place at swarming sites and probably in winter roosts, which usually are in caves and mines. Hibernation colonies in buildings have been found, but almos always very close to forest edges or within direct reach of linear woodland elements.

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Habitat and diet

This species is much linked to forest habitats and water, mainly occurring in riparian zones, swamps forests, moorlands and other wet areas. It can also be found in mountain forests in altitudes up to 1,500 meters above sea level, especially in southeastern Europe. In northern Europe it has a broader habitat range, including both broadleaf and coniferous forests. In open spaces it uses linear structures like windbreaks and stream courses for commuting.

The diet consists of moths, spiders, dipterans (crane-flies, chironomids and other flies), with an average prey size of 7.3 mm. Depending on the location and season, non-flying prey like spiders, harvestmen and earwigs, can become the main part of the diet. Very agile in flight in riparian, beech and oak forests, over water or along associated vegetation. While mostly hunts close to ground vegetation it can also fly up to the crowns of trees. Hunting grounds are within 10 km from the roost. It can also hunt above water like Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii), but usually higher above the water surface.