Whiskered bat  (Myotis mystacinus)

Species information

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

Authentication

Authenticated (2002) by Amy Dunkley, The Bat Conservation Trust, London.
http://www.bats.org.uk

Glossary

  • Colony: a group of organisms living together, individuals in the group are not physiologically connected and may not be related, such as a colony of birds. Another meaning refers to organisms, such as bryozoans, which are composed of numerous genetically identical modules (also referred to as zooids or 'individuals'), which are produced by budding and remain physiologically connected.
  • Echolocation: detecting objects by reflected sound. Used by bats and odontocete cetaceans (toothed whales, dolphins and porpoises) for orientation and to detect and locate prey.
  • Genus: a category used in taxonomy, which is below 'family' and above 'species'. A genus tends to contain species that have characteristics in common. The genus forms the first part of a 'binomial' Latin species name; the second part is the specific name.
  • Hibernation: a winter survival strategy characteristic of some mammals in which an animal's metabolic rate slows down and a state of deep sleep is attained. Whilst hibernating, animals survive on stored reserves of fat that they have accumulated in summer. In insects, the correct term for hibernation is 'diapause', a temporary pause in development and growth. Any stage of the lifecycle (eggs, larvae, pupae or adults) may enter diapause, which is typically associated with winter.
  • Tragus: a soft cartilaginous projection extending in front of the external opening of the ear. In bats it is thought to aid in the location of prey by generating many echoes, but the precise way in which this works is unknown.

References

  1. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) (October, 2009)
    http://www.itis.gov/
  2. Schober, W. and Grimmberger, E. (1987) A Guide to Bats of Britain and Europe.Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited, London.
  3. Bats and the Law - a quick guide. Bat Conservation Trust (August, 2002)
    http://www.bats.org.uk/
  4. Morris, P. (1993) A Red Data Book for British Mammals.Mammal Society, Bristol.
  5. Warwickshire Bat Group (March, 2008)
    http://www.warksbats.co.uk/
  6. Macdonald, D.W. and Tattersall, F.T. (2001) Britain's Mammals: The Challenge for Conservation.The Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Oxford University, Oxford. Available at: www.wildcru.org
  7. Altringham, J.D. (1996) Bats: Biology and Behaviour.Oxford University Press, Oxford.
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