Large Myotis (Myotis chinensis)

Description.

HB: 91-97; T:53-58; FA: 64-69; HF: 16-18; E:20-23

Dorsal fur is grey- brown. Ventral fur is grey or white-grey.
This is a relatively large Myotis, being the largest in Thailand. The ears are rather long, extending to the tip of the nose when laid forwards. The calcar is very long and slender. The feet are noticeably smaller than those of M. ricketti (length of foot is under half the length of the tibia (Bates et al. 1999). Bates et al. (2005) give the forearm length of bats from Myanmar as 65.1-68 mm. Borissenko & Kruskop (2003) give forearm lengths of 65-69 mm for bats in Vietnam.
The species is closely related to the large mouse-eared bats M. myotis and M. blythii of the Palaearctic. The skull is typical of the genus, though considerably large than other Thai Myotis.The upper inner incisors are thick and blunt, with a blunt internal cusp, they are shorter than the lower incisors, which are slightly curved outwards (Dobson1876) The first upper premolar is actually pointed and the second is very small, slightly intruded from the tooth row

 Range Description:

This species occurs in central and Southeast China (Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Hong Kong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hainan, Hunan, Zhejiang, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Yunnan provinces), extending to Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam (Smith et al. 2008). It can be expected in northern Lao PDR, but this has not yet been confirmed. In Myanmar it is found between 50-1,000 m asl in elevation (P. Bates pers. comm.).
Countries: Native:
China (Yunnan); Hong Kong; Myanmar; Thailand; Vietnam

Population:

This is a relatively common species in at least part of its range, for example Myanmar (P. Bates pers. comm.).
Population Trend: Unknown.

Habitat and Ecology:

It is found in a wide range of habitats from lowlands through the hill country. It is known to hibernate in caves (Smith et al. 2008). Most of the recent records in Southeast Asia (Bates et al. 1999, 2001) report it being netted near cave entrances in or adjacent to limestone areas with rivers and streams (Bates et al. 1999, 2001). Habitat
Roost sites and roosting behaviour
Roosts in caves.
Emergence and flight pattern
M. chinensis has relatively broad wings and is probably a manoeuvrable species. Its close relatives M. myotis and M. blythii hunt by gleaning (Arlettaz et al. 2001).
Foraging behaviour
Not known.
Echolocation calls
Not known.
Systems: Terrestrial

Major Threat(s):

 There are no major threats to this species.

Conservation Actions:

This species is known to occur in protected areas throughout its wide range.

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