Plecotus kolombatovici (Dulic, 1980)
Vespertilionidae

Least Concern

Description

It is the smallest long-eared bat in Europe, with a forearm length between 36 to 39.3 mm, a tragus length less than 14 mm and weighing 6 to 9 g. It present brown-grey dorsal fur. It has a fully furred face and chin while it's toes are sparsely haired with very short hairs.

It looks very similar to the grey long-eared bat (Plecotus austriacus) but smaller. It can readily be separated from all other Plecotus species by the smaller tragus, forearm, thumb, tibia and foot.

Distribution

It is found in the eastern Mediterranean and in North Africa, from Croatia, through the Adriatic Islands ( Crete, Rhodes and Cyprus) and near a wider area in the Greek coast, along the west and south coast of Turkey to near the Syrian border. In North Africa, from Morocco to Lybia.

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Roosts and phenology

Nursery roost usually in rocky cavities in karstic areas, but have also been found in church roofs and railway tunnels. Breeding colonies comprise 15 to 20 animals, rarely up to 90. In Istria, a mixed colony with alpine long-eared bats (Plecotus macrobullaris) was found. Birth probably occurs at the end of June. Individual animals have been found in rock crevices, crakcs in walls, under bridges and in caves.

It is considered a sedentary species. Males swarm at cave entrances in late summer. Winter roosts are located in buildings, mines, caves, wells and trees.

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Habitat and diet

Almost exclusively found in dry Mediterranean coastal karst areas at low altitude. Highest altitude recorded at a swarming site in Greece at 1,300 n, Often found in islands near the coast or in river valleys. Known hunting grounds in holm oak forests with boulders, olive groves, over shrublands and in forest clearings.

In Croatia up to 80% of the diet composed of moths and, in lesser proportion, hemipters and dipters. Foraging usually occurs in dense vegetation, but also flying along vegetation edges, at an average of 1.5 km from the roost.