First record of Myotis moratellii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in Peru with notes on natural history

Llancachahua-Tarqui D.; Sánchez-Vendizú P.; Cadenillas R.; Novaes R.L.M.; Pacheco V. · Mammalia (2026) · DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2026-0001

Resumen

Myotis moratellii, a recently described species, is currently known from only eight localities on the western slopes of Ecuador, with limited information on its natural history and morphological variability. Based on comparative morphological and morphometric analyses of museum specimens, we document the first records of M. moratellii in Peru (Tumbes Department), extending its known geographic range 32 km southwest from its previously southernmost locality in El Oro Province, Ecuador. We also report morphological variation in M. moratellii, and propose novel diagnostic characters, enhancing its differentiation from Myotis keaysi. Moreover, we provided field observations and a detailed description of its associated habitats, contributing new information on the species’ natural history. Our findings suggest a distribution associated with the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena ecoregion, a biogeographically unique and highly threatened area. Finally, we highlight the value of re-examining museum specimens for documenting poorly known bat species and emphasize the urgent need for further field surveys in northwestern Peru.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Nacional de Frontera