Myotis escalerai (Cabrera, 1904)
Vespertilionidae

Least Concern

Description

Medium-sized bat with a total length between 42 and 50 mm, forearm between 36.5 and 43 mm, legs between 6.7 and 10 mm, a tail between 42 and 50 mm, and a weight between 4.5 and 9 g. The fur colouration varies between brownish and grayish tones on the dorsal part and more gray or whitish tones on the ventral part. Juveniles tend to be darker than adults. The face has pinkish tones, almost always without fur around the eyes and muzzle. The ears are quite long (between 15 and 18 mm) with the typical pointed tragus of the Myotis genus.

Together with the Cryptic myotis (Myotis crypticus), it is part of a species complex that was previously included in Natterer's bat (Myotis nattereri), the Natterer's complex. It differs from the Cryptic bat by the double fringe of long and rigid hairs on the edge of the tail membrane (uropatagium), with one fringe being twice as long as the other, and the insertion of the wing to the foot is at the metatarsus.

Distribution

It is distributed throughout almost the entire Iberian Peninsula (absent from the wetter areas in the north of the Peninsula), with the upper limit of distribution in the French Pyrenees. It has also been cited in the Balearic Islands.

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Roosts and phenology

It is a common species in caves and mines, highly cavernicolous. Despite needing more information, it seems that it primarily takes refuge in cracks and holes within cavities, where it generally goes unnoticed. There is not much information about the reproductive biology of this species. Nevertheless, it is known that breeding colonies can house up to 800 females with pups, often mixed with other cave-dwelling species in caves and mines. Females usually give birth in May and typically have one pup per year, which becomes fully independent by July. Males and solitary individuals can be found in rock crevices, cave ceilings, tunnels, as well as in buildings and bridges.

The high presence of males in caves in September suggests a late swarming behavior. Although there is a lack of information, this species is not considered migratory. Winter hibernation shelters are still largely unknown for this species, although suitable shelters have been observed to be used throughout the year.

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Habitat and diet

It has significant ecological plasticity, and therefore, it can be found in various habitats. It can be found in arid lowland areas or shrublands, as well as in mountainous forested areas such as beech forests or pine groves. It can form colonies along a broad altitudinal gradient, from sea level to 1,400 m, although it seems to be found at lower elevations than the Cryptic myotis (Myotis crypticus).

Its diet is believed to consist of insects such as beetles, dipterans, nocturnal lepidopterans, and caterpillars, as well as spiders and other arthropods. Although its hunting habitats are not well known, they are likely to be similar to those of Natterer's bat (Myotis nattereri). The longer hair fringe on the uropatagium suggests a greater reliance on touch to capture prey.