Myotis caucensis J. A. Allen 1914

413.

Colombian Black Myotis

Myotis caucensis

French: Murin de la Cauca / German: Kolumbien-Mausohr / Spanish: Ratonero del Cauca

Other common names: Cauca River Myotis

Taxonomy. Myotis caucensis J. A. Allen, 1914,

“Rio Frio (altitude 3500 feet |= 1067 m]), Cauca River [Valle del Cauca], Colombia.”

Subgenus Pizonyx; albescens species group. See M. nigricans. M. caucensis was revalidated as a distinct species by R. Moratelli and colleagues in 2013, which included a comprehensive discussion about nomenclature of the M. nigricans complex from western Amazonia. Monotypic.

Distribution. Along the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, including intermontane valleys and adjacent Amazon lowlands. It might occur in N Bolivia and W Brazillan Amazonia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body c¢. 47-49 mm, tail 34-41 mm, ear 13-14 mm, hindfoot 6-9 mm, forearm 34-5-38- 4 mm; weight 4-6- 5 g. Fur is moderately silky and long (dorsal fur 6-8 mm; ventral fur 5~ 7 mm). Dorsal hairs are nearly unicolored mummy brown but with darker bases weakly contrasting paler tips in some individuals; ventral hairs are slightly paler and bicolored, with black bases (two-thirds the length) and ocherous-buff tips (one-third). Ears are medium-sized, extending forward halfway from eye to nostril. Antitragal notch is barely evident. Tragusis pointed, slightly curving outward above and convex below, with small (6-8 mm) triangular lobule at outer base. Membranes are mummy brown; plagiopatagium is broadly attached to foot at base of toes. Fringe of hairs along trailing edge of uropatagium is absent, but scattered hairs can be seen in a few specimens. Skull is small to medium-sized (greatest length of skull 14-1-14- 7 mm); P? is aligned in tooth row and visible in labial view. Sagittal crest is lacking; lambdoidal crests are usually lacking, but when present, they are always low; and parietals are inclined forward in lateral view. Braincase is elongated, and occipital projects considerably behind occipital condyles. Wing morphology is typical of aerial insectivore that uses cluttered spaces.

Habitat. [Lowland and mountain-slope rainforests to scrub-steppe at elevations of 200- 2600 m.

Food and Feeding. Colombian Black Myotis are aerial insectivores, foraging in forested habitats and over water.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Colombian Black Myotis emerge just before sunset.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The [UCN Red List.

Bibliography. Allen (1914), LaVal (1973b), Moratelli et al. (2013), Wilson (2008b).