Peyton's myotis (Myotis peytoni), also known as Peyton's whiskered bat, is a species of vesper bat endemic to India.[2]

Peyton's myotis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Myotis
Species:
M. peytoni
Binomial name
Myotis peytoni
Peyton's myotis range in yellow (underestimation of the actual range extent)
Synonyms

Myotis montivagus peytoni

Taxonomy

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It was described in 1913, and was generally considered a subspecies of the Burmese whiskered bat (M. montivagus) for about a century. However, a 2013 study reclassified it as a distinct species on morphological grounds, using cranial and dental features.[1][3] This has also been followed by the American Society of Mammalogists, the IUCN Red List, and the ITIS.[2][4]

Distribution and habitat

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It is restricted to peninsular India, where it ranges from the vicinity of Vishakhapatnam west to the Karnataka coast, and as far south as inland Tamil Nadu. It is thought to inhabit lowland tropical forests. In 1913, individuals of M. peytoni were recorded swarming among the rocky crevices of Jog Falls, and this was also the type locality of the species.[1]

Status

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This species may potentially be a cave-dweller, so it may be threatened by caving. In addition, as it is known to inhabit tall forests, it may be threatened by deforestation. However, very little information is known about this species, and it is thus classified as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Görföl, T.; Csorba, G. (2017). "Myotis peytoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T85568321A85568324. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T85568321A85568324.en. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Explore the Database". www.mammaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  3. ^ Görföl, Tamás; Estók, Péter; Gábor, Csorba (2013-03-28). "The Subspecies Of Myotis Montivagus - Taxonomic Revision And Species Limits (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)". Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae. 59 (1): 41–59. doi:10.5281/zenodo.5736085.
  4. ^ "ITIS - Report: Myotis peytoni". www.itis.gov. Retrieved 2022-01-24.