Whiskered bat  (Myotis mystacinus)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Description

The whiskered bat is the smallest member of the Myotis genus in Europe (2). It is very similar in appearance to Brandt's bat (Myotis brandtii); indeed Brandt's bat was only separated from the whiskered bat as recently as 1970 (5). Both species have shaggy fur (5), but generally speaking, the whiskered bat is darker in colour (2); the back is nut-brown, grey-brown or light brown, the belly is usually dark or light grey (2), and the wing membrane, nose and ears are blackish-brown (2). Definite distinguishing features between whiskered and Brandt's bats are the shape of the tragus, the teeth and the penis, which in Brandt's bat has a club-shaped tip (2).

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