#batblr

We’re keeping on track with rare animals, as the Kenyan Wattled Bat (Glauconycteris kenyacola) is known from a singular specimen and has not been found since [1].

The singular Kenyan Wattled Bat was collected in 1970 8.5 km north of Garsen, Kenya. She was categorised as a new species for a variety in morphological differences, but one key distinction that sets her apart from other species are the white markings on her nose, chin, and the base of her ears [2]. She has also been described as a “very small microbat”, with a head and body length of 4.9 cm, and a tail the same size [3].

In many ways their species name, which translates to “inhabitant of Kenya” [2], about sums up the specificity of information we have about them. It’s likely they live in coastal forest, but that’s about it. For obvious reasons, they are classed as Data Deficient by the IUCN [4]. As they have pale, slightly translucent wings, it may be that they start hunting for insects early in the evening, as this is a pattern that has been seen among other pale-winged bats, including in their genus [5].

This bat was first described in 1904, then lumped in with another species, but then made their big comeback in 2006: Escalera’s Bat (Myotis escalerai) [1], also known as Iberian’s Natterer’s Bat. As that name suggests, they are found throughout the Iberian peninsula [2], though their genetics have also been recorded in the French pyrenees [3].

Initially, they look very similar to Natterer’s Bat (M. nattereri), with only the long bristles on the free edge of the tail looking being unique to them [2], so it isn’t surprising that they were considered to be the same species for several decades. Genetic testing then showed that they were definitely distinct [1]. They also have some different behavioural patterns, such as Escalera’s Bat forming very large roosting colonies in caves, while Natterer’s Bat roost in small groups in tree holes [3].

They feed on moths, beetles, and flies, and are likely quite reliant on touch when capturing prey, as would be suggested by their bristled tail [2]. They can adapt to a wide variety of habitats, being present in both coastal areas and mountainous forests, though they do require the caves for both roosting and hibernating in winter [1].

Despite this adaptability and certain localised populations appearing to increase, the IUCN still rates them as Near Threatened. This is because two major roost sites of theirs have already disappeared since the 80s due to landslides or incorrect gating, and land use changes may worsen this problem [1].

There are many species of bat out there, and another one of them is the Beijing Barbastelle (Barbastella beijingensis), who was first described in 2007 after a phylogenetic analysis of the genus found them significantly different from the two other species in the genus at the time [1] (now there are six species [2]).

As one may guess from the name, they were originally found in Fangshan District in Southwestern Beijing, captured in an abandoned tunnel in San-Liu-Shui Village. Said village is located in a mountainous region with riparian woodland. They have been found in caves [1], including abandoned mine caves [3], which, along with tunnels, are important locations for them to roost in during the day [1]. They have since also been found in the Hebei [3] and Shanxi provinces [4].

At a body length of 5 cm, they are quite small compared to other Chinese bats, but on the larger end for Barbastelles. Their projected ear lobes are one of their distinguishing features, and are around 1.5 cm long [1]. They feed almost exclusively on moths and butterflies, but also a very small amount of other insects [3].