Bats are the only true flying mammals. In Britain bats are insectivorous (eat insects), and contrary to popular misconception they are not blind; many can actually see very well (6). All British bats use echolocation to orient themselves at night; they emit bursts of sound that are of such high frequencies they are beyond the human range of hearing and are called 'ultrasound' (7). They then listen to and interpret the echoes bounced back from objects, including prey, around them, allowing them to build up a 'sound-picture' of their surroundings (7). The whiskered bat produces echolocation calls at frequencies between 35 and 80 kilohertz (5). They emerge at early dusk, and with rapid, weaving flight they hunt over water or at low levels through woodland (2), taking midges, beetles, moths, and small dragonflies (2). Mating tends to occur in autumn (5), but fertilisation is delayed until the following spring (7). Females gather into maternity colonies of 20 to 50 females in summer (7), and give birth to a single young in June or July. At three weeks of age the young bat can fly, and it is able to forage independently by about six weeks of age (5). During the summer males are solitary (7). Whiskered bats are known to live to a maximum of 19 years (2), but the average is probably closer to four or five years of age (7).

The whiskered bat is the smallest member of the Myotis genus in Europe (2). It is very similar in appearance to Brandt's bat (Myotis brandtii); indeed Brandt's bat was only separated from the whiskered bat as recently as 1970 (5). Both species have shaggy fur (5), but generally speaking, the whiskered bat is darker in colour (2); the back is nut-brown, grey-brown or light brown, the belly is usually dark or light grey (2), and the wing membrane, nose and ears are blackish-brown (2). Definite distinguishing features between whiskered and Brandt's bats are the shape of the tragus, the teeth and the penis, which in Brandt's bat has a club-shaped tip (2).

Myotis mystacinus is a western Palaearctic species, occurring in western and central Europe, southern parts of Scandinavia, the British Isles, Morocco, northern parts of eastern Europe, western parts of the Caucasus and the Urals. The occurrence in south-east Europe is questionable but likely. It is marginal in Africa, restricted to Moroccan mountains from the Rif in the north to the southern slope of High Atlas in the south. It has been recorded from sea level up to 1,920 m asl (Gerell 1999).

Whiskered bats, Myotis mystacinus, are found throughout the Paleartic region. Most populations occur in central Europe. They range from roughly 65° latitude in the north, to as far south as the Mediterranean.

Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native )

This species is uncommon in Britain, but it occurs throughout England and Wales, with a number of records from southern Scotland (7). Outside of Britain its distribution extends throughout much of Europe (2), but it is not particularly abundant (7).

Whiskered bats are among the smallest European Myotis species. These tiny bats weigh between 4 and 8 grams. Head-body lengths range from 35 to 48 mm, and tail lengths range from 30 to 43 mm. Wingspan generally ranges from 190 to 220 mm.

A distinct indentation is located on the outside portion of the long, pointed ear. The ears are complex, having four to five horizontal folds in the inner section. The fur of these bats is long and coarse, and varies in color throughout the body. The wing membrane, muzzle, and ears are blackish brown. The dorsal fur is normally a dark, nut-brown or gray-brown. Some individuals may be light brown, but this is uncommon. The ventrum is typically dark to light gray.

Range mass: 4 to 8 g.

Range length: 65 to 91 mm.

Range wingspan: 190 to 225 mm.

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Myotis mysticinus is found in open habitats, including parks, towns, and gardens. Schober (1997) states that it is more of a house-bat than a forest-bat. It is found at moderate elevations, between 1800 and 1923 m.

Range elevation: 1800 to 1923 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate

Other Habitat Features: urban ; suburban

Tends to occur in gardens, villages and parks, typically roosting in houses (2). Summer roosts are often in buildings, lofts, behind external features of houses and in bat boxes (2). Hibernation occurs in caves, cellars and tunnels (2), where they tend to hang in rather exposed sites, whereas Brandt's bats tend to squeeze into crevices and the like (5).

Whiskered bats depart from roosts early in the evening to feed on a variety of insects. Most commonly they hunt 1.5 to 6 meters above the ground in parks, gardens, and over bodies of water. They have been known to hunt in forests on occasion. Mosquitoes, moths, small dragonflies, mayflies, and small beetles make up the majority of their diet.

Animal Foods: insects

Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )

Whiskered bats feed on a variety of flying insects, so they probably have a negative impact on insect populations.

There are no known predators of whiskered bats. However, owls, hawks, and falcons will take bats if given the opportunity.

Myotis mystacinus preys on:
Insecta

This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.

Animal / parasite / ectoparasite
Basilia nana ectoparasitises Myotis mystacinus
Other: minor host/prey

Animal / parasite / ectoparasite
Nycteribia kolenatii ectoparasitises Myotis mystacinus
Other: minor host/prey

Whiskered bats emit FM echolocation calls from 32 to 75 kHz, and send out 8 to 9, 2.5 ms signals every second. These range in distance from 5 meters up to 20 meters. It is thought that these vocalizations are used for locating food, rather than for communication.

Although the remainder of the communication of this species has not been reported, we can infer that they have other vocalizations which they use to communicate with conspecifics. They probably also use tactile communication, especially in the roost, where they come into close contact with other bats. As mammals, it is likely that there is some chemical or scent communcation.

Communication Channels: tactile ; acoustic

Other Communication Modes: vibrations

Perception Channels: visual ; acoustic ; echolocation ; vibrations

The average lifespan in the wild is 3.5 years. Individuals have been known to live more than 19 years.

Range lifespan

Status: wild: 19 (high) years.

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 3.5 years.

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 3.5 years.

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 18.0 years.

Maximum longevity: 24 years (wild) Observations: In the wild, these animals live on average 3-4 years (Wilfred Schober and Eckard Grimmberger 1997), but one animal has been reported to live 24 years (Wilkinson and South 2002).

The mating system of this species has not been reported. However, within the genus, polygyny appears to be common, with males forming harems of 2 to 7 females. Myotis mystacinus may be similar.

Mating begins in the fall and continues into the winter, at which time the animals enter their winter roost for hibernation. Whiskered bats exhibit delayed implantation of the embryo, which continues its development in the spring, as well as sperm storage. This makes it difficult to say for sure how long gestation lasts. Beginning about mid-June, the females give birth to a single young. Within the first year of life females reach sexual maturity.

Breeding interval: Whiskered bats apparently breed annually.

Breeding season: Breeding typically occurs in late summer or fall.

Range number of offspring: 1 to 1.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): within 1 years.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization ; viviparous ; sperm-storing ; delayed implantation

Average number of offspring: 1.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)

Sex: male: 456 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

Sex: female: 365 days.

In May the females form maternity roosts that consist of 20to 70 females. Males are solitary during this time, and do not participate in parental care. Females care for the young, providing them with milk, protection, and grooming until August, at which time the maternity roosts break apart.

Parental Investment: no parental involvement; altricial ; pre-fertilization (Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Protecting: Female)

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Species: 23
Species With Barcodes: 1

Myotis mystacinus is not protected under CITES or IUCN. In western Germany, the species is listed as severly endangered. Eastern Germany and Austria have it listed as Endangered. In order to protect the remaining populations in these areas, winter and maternity roosts are being protected from human disturbance.

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

In Great Britain, all bats are fully protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) as amended, and by the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations (1994) (3). An agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe (EUROBATS) under the auspices of the Bonn Convention, also known as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) is in force, and all European bats are listed under Appendix II of the CMS (4).

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

The whiskered bat, like Brandt's bat is threatened by the decline of woodland, and intensive agricultural practices, particularly the use of pesticides. Disturbance of roosting and hibernation sites may also be a problem (5).

Conservation Actions

In Britain, bats benefit from a very comprehensive level of legal protection (4). Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, it is illegal to intentionally kill, injure, take or sell a bat, posses a live bat or part of a bat, to intentionally (or in England and Wales, recklessly) damage, obstruct or destroy access to bat roosts. Under the Conservation Regulations it is an offence to damage or destroy breeding sites or resting places. Fines of up to £5,000 for every bat affected, and up to six months imprisonment are in place for these offences (3).

There are no known adverse affects of Myotis mystacinus on humans. Bats in general have been known to carry human diseases such as rabies, and whiskered bats in particular are associated with human dwellings.

Negative Impacts: injures humans (carries human disease); household pest

Bats are important predators of many different types of insects, including mosquitoes, which are vectors for many infectious diseases. They are also feed on other insects that cause agricultural damage.

Positive Impacts: controls pest population