Australian myotis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Australian myotis |
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The Australian myotis (Myotis australis) is a type of vesper bat. It is a bit of a mystery! Scientists are not sure if it is a real species. Only one bat like this has ever been found. It was supposedly found in New South Wales, Australia. Some people think it might have been a different bat species. Or maybe it was a bat that got lost and ended up far from home.
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The Mystery Bat: Is it Real?
This bat was first described in 1878. An Irish scientist named George Edward Dobson gave it the name Vespertilio australis. But since then, no other Australian myotis has been found. Because of this, many scientists think the first record might have been a mistake. They believe it might not be a real species.
Most experts think the large-footed myotis is the only bat of its kind in Australia. The name australis means "southern" in Latin. This refers to where the bat was supposedly found.
What Does the Australian Myotis Look Like?
This bat is quite small. Its body is about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) long. It has short, thick brown fur. The skin between its legs and tail is called the uropatagium. This part has a small, clear spur called a calcar. Its ear parts, called tragi, are slightly curved.
Where Does it Live?
The Australian myotis is only known from New South Wales, Australia. This is based on the single bat found long ago.
Why is it a Data Deficient Species?
As of 2020, the IUCN lists this bat as a data deficient species. This means we do not have enough information about it. We do not know if it is a real species. We also do not know much about where it lives or what dangers it faces. More research is needed to understand this mysterious bat.
See also
In Spanish: Myotis australis para niños
