Chinese Myotis
Myotis chinensis (Tomes, 1857)
Taxonomy
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Myotis |
| Scientific name: | Myotis chinensis (Tomes, 1857) |
| Synonyms: | - |
| Common name: | Chinese Myotis |
| Other name: | Large Myotis |
| Remark: | Myotis chinensis was formerly classified as a subspecies of Myotis myotis, but it is evident from both morphological and molecular genetic evidence that Myotis chinensisis a distinct and independent species. |
| Characteristics | |
| Color: | The dorsal fur is dark brownish-gray, while the ventral fur is lighter, ranging from pale gray to grayish-white, with dark gray to blackish hair bases. Juvenile bats generally have darker overall fur coloration. |
| Ear: | The ears are large and slender. Both the ear pinna and tragus are dark brownish-gray, with lighter coloration at the base. The tragus is elongated and conical, slightly tilted forward, measuring approximately half the length of the ear pinna. |
| Head: | The muzzle and face are dark brown with short dark gray fur, while the skin around the eyes appears reddish-brown or pink. The face possesses glands that can secrete reddish-brown substances when under pressure (sometimes these secretions may also appear on the inner side of the ears). |
| Limbs: | The hind feet are large, and the claws have pigmentation. The calcar is long and unkeeled. |
| Wing: | The wing membrane attaches to the ankle or the middle of tibia. |
| Tail: | The tail is long and entirely enveloped by the interfemoral membrane. The calcar is unkeeled and over halfway to tail from ankle. |
| Body measurements | |
| Size: | Large myotis |
| Body: | 91.0 - 97.0 mm |
| Tail: | 53.0 - 58.0 mm |
| Ears: | 20.0 - 23.0 mm |
| Hind foot: | 16.0 - 18.0 mm |
| Forearm: | 64.0 - 69.0 mm |
| Weight: | 25.0 - 30.0 g |
| Wing morphology | |
| Wing span: | 0.426 m |
| Wing area: | 0.033 m2 |
| Wing loading: |
9.53 ± 0.77 N/m2 (Mid) |
| Aspect ratio: | 5.46 ± 0.12 (Low) |
| Tip-shape index: | 1.21 ± 0.23 (Low) |
| Reference: | Jennings et al., 2004 |
Ecology
| Habitat: | Typically found inhabiting large abandoned mine tunnels, they commonly take refuge in crevices within the tunnel walls and tend to occupy locations closer to the entrance of the cave. |
| Habit: | They are typically solitary, occasionally forming small colonies consisting of 2 to 10 individuals. |
| Reproduction: | The breeding period for this species occurs from May to June each year, typically producing a single offspring. M. chinensis forms large reproductive colonies with the M. pilosus, Miniopterus magnater and Miniopterus pusillus. Within these colonies, M. chinensis tends to occupy the peripheral areas. |
| Hibernation: | They undergo hibernation typically from late December to February, with the actual duration of hibernation varying in response to temperature fluctuations |
| Flight: | They exhibit a moderate flight speed and sufficient agility, although their flight efficiency and aerial hovering capabilities are relatively poor, making them more suitable for short-distance flights. They typically fly at lower altitudes, often in close proximity to the ground. |
| Foraging: | This species exhibits crepuscular activity, with two peaks of activity occurring in the evening and before dawn, while resting in the roost during the intervening period. |
| Diet: | They are insectivorous, primarily preying on larger insects. They are capable of capturing ground-dwelling insects through picking behavior and show a particular preference for beetles (Carabidae), grasshoppers, and flies. |
Distribution
| Local: | The New Territory and Lantau Island |
| Global: | Central & SouthEast China (from Shanxi and Jiangsu South to Yunnan, Guanxi, and Guangdong; isolated records in Nei Mongol, Beijing, and Hainan Island), East Myanmar, North Thailand, North Laos, and North & Central Vietnam. (Moratelli et al., 2019) |
Local distribution map
Global distribution map
(Moratelli et al., 2019)
Status and Conservation
| First record: | 1964 |
| Origin: | Native |
| Local status: | Uncommon (Shek & Chan, 2005) |
| National status: | Near Threatened (Red List of China Vertebrates) |
| Global status: | Least Concern (IUCN Red List) |
| Potential threat: | TBC |
Echolocation
Full-spectrum sonograms of various wild echolocation and social calls of local individuals are included in this session. If you are interested, please sign up and contact Admin by E-mail for acquiring access right.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Call structure | FM |
| Duration | 3.60 ± 0.90 ms |
| Inter pulse interval | 81.00 ± 15.30 ms |
| Peak frequency | 49.00 ± 5.60 kHz |
| Start frequency | 83.60 ± 4.30 kHz |
| End frequency | 25.20 ± 3.50 kHz |
|
Region: |
Vietnam |
| Method: | Hand release |
| Reference: | Furey et al., 2009 |
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Call structure | FM |
| Duration | 6.30 ms |
| Inter pulse interval | 53.90 ms |
| Peak frequency | 54.20 kHz |
| Start frequency | 83.60 kHz |
| End frequency | 14.00 kHz |
|
Region: |
China (Beijing) |
| Method: | Flight tent |
| Reference: | Ma et al., 2007 |
Similar Species
Rickett's Big-footed Myotis
Myotis pilosus
Size:
Medium myotis
Color:
The dorsal fur is light grayish-brown, while the ventral fur is grayish-white to white.
Head:
The muzzle and face are lighter in color, typically appearing pinkish-gray
Tragus:
Slender, elongated, and pointed, overall relatively small in size.
Hindfoot:
Exceptionally large feet, measuring about 80% of the length of the tibia. The claw tips are sharp, curved, and white in color.
Wing:
The wing membranes attach to the ankle.
Behavior:
At rest, they typically face the wall and keep their body as close to it as possible; wings are usually slightly opened, covering the abdomen.
Chinese Myotis
Myotis chinensis
Size:
Large myotis
Color:
The dorsal fur is dark grayish-brown, while the ventral fur ranges from light gray to grayish-white.
Head:
The muzzle and face are darker in color, typically appearing brown to dark brown.
Tragus:
Slender, elongated, and conical, overall narrower in shape.
Hindfoot:
Large feet with pigmented claws.
Wing:
The wing membranes attach to the base of the toes.
Behavior:
It exhibits a more stable behavior and tends to remain in place when startled, huddling in a corner, rarely taking flight.
Bibliography
Furey, N. M., Mackie, I. J., & Racey, P. A. (2009). The role of ultrasonic bat detectors in improving inventory and monitoring surveys in Vietnamese karst bat assemblages. Current Zoology, 55 (5), 327 341.
Other Databases
Hong Kong Bat Radar. (20/10/2024). A Field Guide to Bats of Hong Kong: Chinese Myotis (Myotis chinensis ). https://hkbatradar.com/en/myotis_chinensis