The status of the cryptic bat species, Myotis mystacinus and Myotis brandtii in Ireland

Citation

Boston ESM, Buckley DJ, Bekaert M, Gager Y, Lundy MG, Scott DD, Prodohl PA, Montgomery WI, Marnell F & Teeling EC (2010) The status of the cryptic bat species, Myotis mystacinus and Myotis brandtii in Ireland. Acta Chiropterologica, 12 (2), pp. 457-461. https://doi.org/10.3161/150811010X538025

Abstract
The recent identification of Myotis brandtii in Ireland raised the possibility that many roosts previously identified as M. mystacinus had the potential of being misidentified M. brandtii. Thus, the distribution and population estimates for M. mystacinus may have been over-estimated, while M. brandtii may have been under-estimated. Results from an all Ireland genetic survey of known M. mystacinus maternity roosts confirm that no long term misidentification has taken place. All specimens caught and sampled were M. mystacinus. Additonally, no further records of M. brandtii were found during six nights of woodland trapping using the acoustic lure. While the status of M. mystacinus in Ireland is now listed as ‘least concern’ in the Irish Red List, M. brandtii is listed as ‘data deficient’ and cannot currently be considered a resident species.

Keywords
Vespertilionidae; Myotis; Cryptic species; Irish mammals

Journal
Acta Chiropterologica: Volume 12, Issue 2