Scientist rediscover bat that hasn't been seen in 100 years

[Judi Lynn]

The Strange Big-eared Brown Bat, Histiotus alienus. (Cláudio et al.)

Melissa Lopez-Martinez
CTVNews.ca Writer
Published Sept. 30, 2023 5:07 p.m. CDT

The Strange Big-eared Brown Bat was last seen in 1916 after it was captured in southern Brazil. But after more than a century of its absence, the elusive species has been rediscovered.

The findings were reported in a new study published in ZooKeys(opens in a new tab) on Tuesday where researchers detailed their field expedition that led them to the bat, also known by its scientific name as histiotus alienus.

In 2018, a group of scientists from the Federal University of Parana in Brazil initially compared the bat to the Tropical Big-eared Brown Bat, histiotus velatus, since that was the native species commonly found in Palmas Grassland Wildlife Refuge. However, after further evaluation researchers concluded it was incompatible to histiotus velatus and hundreds of other similar-looking species it was compared to.

Scientists concluded the bat found was indeed histiotus alienus; the enlarged eared, brown bat, measured roughly at 100 to 120 mm in length. It's known for living in varied environments like araucaria moist forests to grasslands.

More:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/scientist-rediscover-bat-that-hasn-t-been-seen-in-100-years-1.6584542

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R