scientist examining museum specimens of bats from South America have found that a distinctive , gold colorful species which was previously confuse with another bat is in reality a species Modern to science .
This move fresh specie , which is is think to beendemic to Bolivia , was primitively classified as the exchangeable looking speciesMyotis simuswhich can be found in numerous South American land . However , after comparing pelt coloring material and other outside features , scientists mark several significant differences between specimens that suggest this coinage was distinct from otherMyotisspecies , includingM. simus . In especial , the new species is covered in thick-skulled , flossy golden fur unlikeM. simuswhich is moreorange - brownin color . This has pull in these at-bat the nameM. midastactusafterKing Midasfrom Greek mythology who could turn anything he touch on into gold .
M. midastactusis aninsect eaterthat can be found throughout the Bolivian savanna . They spend their day chilling out under thatched roofs or in maw in the terra firma made by other animals . There aresixother mintage in theMyotisgenus living alongsideM. midastactusin Bolivia , but interestingly they could n’t ascertain any evidence forM. simusin this commonwealth . TheMyotisgenus is particularly deep with over100 speciesof these so - called mouse - eared squash racquet discovered across the world so far , 15 of which can be found in South America .
As delineate in theJournal of Mammalogy , the researchers conducted elaborate studies of the external features of 27 different specimens kept in museums in both the US and Brazil . Unfortunately , they were ineffective to get any live specimen of this creature despite spend month trying . But lead author Dr Ricardo Moratelli points out to theBBCthat museum specimens are critical to our understanding of biodiversity on our major planet .
“ I can confidently say that many new mintage from different zoological groups are in museum storage locker around the world , expect recognition and courtly description,”said Moratelli .
Currently , the researchers have insufficient data point to be able to determine theconservation statusof this species ; however , previous study point thatM. simusin Bolivia , which is now thought to beM. midastactus , was near threatened . While they could n’t determine any evidence forM. simusin Bolivia , this specie can be found in several other South American body politic include Brazil , Argentina and Peru .
Moratelli made these discoveries as part of alarge studyon mouse - eared bat living in theNeotropical ecozone , which is an domain incorporating South and Central America , southern Mexico , the Caribbean Islands and Florida . So far , Moratelli has describedfourotherMyotisspecies that were previously unknown to science .
[ ViaBBC Nature ]
