Biology:Mediterranean long-eared bat

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Short description: Species of bat

Mediterranean long-eared bat
Plecotus kolombatovici.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Plecotus
Species:
P. kolombatovici
Binomial name
Plecotus kolombatovici
Dulic, 1980

The Mediterranean long-eared bat (Plecotus kolombatovici), also known as Kolombatovic's long-eared bat, is a species of vesper bat ranging from Italy east through the Balkans east to Syria, and south to Jordan.[2]

Taxonomy

The species was described by Dulić in 1980, following the identification of small bats from the Plecotus genus in Croatia. However, until 2010, the qualification of P.kolombatovici as species was subject to doubt.[3] Specimens of Plecotus sp. were analysed in North Africa, the Canary Islands, and Asia over a period of years, and it was proposed that all the specimens were subspecies of the same species, Plecotus teneriffae. However, the most recent studies confirm the status of species for P. kolombatovici.[4] As several species of Plecotus can be leaving in sympatry in a same region, a clear identification of specimen can be very difficult.

Distribution

So far, P. kolombatovici has been recorded in Albania,[5] Croatia[6] and Greece,[7] as well as Italy and parts of the Middle East.[2]

This species is often found in the islands of the Adriatic sea,[8] but also inland with a recorded presence in most of Greece. In Albania, many specimens were found in former bunkers on the Sazan Island.

References

Literature cited

Wikidata ☰ Q805029 entry