{{Short description|Species of bat}} {{Speciesbox | name = California myotis | image = California Myotis (Myotis californicus).jpg | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Arroyo-Cabrales, J. |author2=Perez, S. |date=2017 |title=''Myotis californicus'' |volume=2017 |article-number=e.T14150A22061366 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T14150A22061366.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> | taxon = Myotis californicus | authority = (Audubon & Bachman, 1842) | range_map = Myotis californicus distribution.png | synonyms = }}
The '''California myotis''' ('''''Myotis californicus''''') is a species of vesper bat. It is found in British Columbia in Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, and in the western United States, including California.<ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021" />
==Description==
=== Physical characteristics === The California myotis is a small ({{convert|70|–|94|mm|disp=sqbr}} and {{convert|3.3|–|5.4|g|disp=sqbr}}) bat with pale, dull fur. Ears are of medium ({{convert|12|–|15|mm|disp=sqbr}}) size, with a narrow, pointed tragus (ear). They have an obviously keeled calcar and very small feet ({{convert|5|–|7|mm|disp=sqbr}}), smaller even than the feet of the western small-footed myotis, for which they are easily confused.<ref name="fgtm">{{Cite book |title=A field guide to mammals of North America north of Mexico |last=Reid |first=Fiona |date=2006 |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Co |isbn=978-0-395-93596-5 |edition=4th |location=Boston |page=400 |oclc=62782207}}</ref> The spread of the wings averages {{convert|220|mm}}.<ref name="Grinnell">{{cite book |last1=Grinnell |first1=Joseph |last2=Storer |first2=Tracy Irwin |title=Animal life in the Yosemite: An account of the mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians in a cross-section of the Sierra Nevada |date=1924 |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley, Calif. |page=51 |url=https://archive.org/details/animallifeinyose00grinrich/page/51/mode/1up |access-date=11 September 2023}}</ref> Other distinguishing features include the slightly lighter face mask and shorter appearance of the California myotis' tail. While their tails are the same length, the small-footed myotis' tail extends {{convert|2|–|3|mm}} after the connecting membrane (Uropatagia) which makes it appear longer.<ref name="fgtm" />
The California myotis is largely free of ectoparasites commonly found on other bat species, such as fleas, ticks, flies, lice, and bed bugs. However, mites have occasionally been found on the dorsal wings of the California myotis.<ref name=":2" />
The dental formula for ''M. californicus'' is {{DentalFormula|upper=2.1.3.3|lower=3.1.3.3|total=38}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Myotis_californicus/|title=Myotis californicus (California myotis)|website=Animal Diversity Web|last=Podolsky|first=Liat|year=2002|language=en|access-date=2024-04-23}}</ref> thumb|Skull of a California Myotis
=== Habitat and geographical range === Within California, the California myotis inhabits a variety of geographical areas, ranging from coastal environments to the desert. These bats are frequently observed around water sources in the desert, which are frequently close to rocky canyons or sandy flats. In coastal regions, the California myotis favors riparian groves with sycamore, willow, and cottonwood trees. They can also be discovered in open forests and oak groves.<ref name=":2" />
== Behavior == === Roosting activity === During the day, the California myotis will roost in the bark of dead trees,<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Brigham|first1=R. M.|last2=Vonhof|first2=M. J.|last3=Barclay|first3=R. M. R.|last4=Gwilliam|first4=J. C.|date=1997-11-26|title=Roosting Behavior and Roost-Site Preferences of Forest-Dwelling California Bats (Myotis californicus)|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|volume=78|issue=4|pages=1231–1239|doi=10.2307/1383066|issn=1545-1542|jstor=1383066|doi-access=free}}</ref> particularly ponderosa pines,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last1=BARCLAY|first1=ROBERT M. R.|last2=MARK BRIGHAM|first2=R.|date=July 2001|title=Year-to-year Reuse of Tree-roosts by California Bats (Myotis californicus) in Southern British Columbia|journal=The American Midland Naturalist|volume=146|issue=1|pages=80–85|doi=10.1674/0003-0031(2001)146[0080:ytyrot]2.0.co;2|s2cid=56257730 |issn=0003-0031}}</ref> rock crevices, or buildings. The California myotis prefers forested areas and is seldom found in urban environments or open rural spaces.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Jung|first1=Kirsten|last2=Kalko|first2=Elisabeth K. V.|date=2011-01-17|title=Adaptability and vulnerability of high flying Neotropical aerial insectivorous bats to urbanization|journal=Diversity and Distributions|volume=17|issue=2|pages=262–274|doi=10.1111/j.1472-4642.2010.00738.x|s2cid=35027311 |issn=1366-9516|doi-access=free|bibcode=2011DivDi..17..262J }}</ref> However, they will occasionally roost in man-made structures like abandoned wooden houses, sign boards, and mine tunnels.<ref name=":2" /> Both male and female myotis tend to move around without a fixed preference for a specific or frequently used hiding place, instead choosing the most accessible hiding spot once they have finished foraging.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|title=Notes on the Habits of the Bat, ''Myotis californicus''|last=Krutzsch|first=Philip H.|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|volume=35|issue=4|pages=539–545|year=1954|doi=10.2307/1375579|jstor=1375579 }}</ref>
=== Foraging === The California myotis tend to emerge just after dusk and just before dawn to forage.<ref name="Ober2">{{Cite journal |last1=Ober |first1=Holly K. |last2=Hayes |first2=John P. |date=October 2008 |title=Prey Selection by Bats in Forests of Western Oregon |journal=Journal of Mammalogy |volume=89 |issue=5 |pages=1191–1200 |doi=10.1644/08-mamm-a-025.1 |issn=0022-2372 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Foraging is done close to the foliage of trees and larger shrubs, usually within a few feet of the ground.<ref name="Grinnell2">{{cite book |last1=Grinnell |first1=Joseph |url=https://archive.org/details/animallifeinyose00grinrich/page/51/mode/1up |title=Animal life in the Yosemite: An account of the mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians in a cross-section of the Sierra Nevada |last2=Storer |first2=Tracy Irwin |date=1924 |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley, Calif. |page=51 |access-date=11 September 2023}}</ref> Diet includes moths, flies, and other flying insects.<ref name="Ober2" /> Their flight is slow and highly maneuverable, which assists in prey capture.<ref name="fgtm2">{{Cite book |last=Reid |first=Fiona |title=A field guide to mammals of North America north of Mexico |date=2006 |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Co |isbn=978-0-395-93596-5 |edition=4th |location=Boston |page=400 |oclc=62782207}}</ref> The California myotis begins foraging right after sunset, feeding rapidly before finding a roosting site near their foraging grounds to rest for a period of time;<ref name=":2" /> this behavior is repeated until daybreak.
The California myotis seeks out water throughout the night, with certain watering holes being favored. In order to drink water, these bats will glide over the surface of the pond with their heads bent forward and jaw open, allowing them to scoop up water with their mouth.<ref name=":2" />
=== Mating and reproduction === California myotis mate in the fall and give birth during the late spring (May - early June). For the remainder of the year, the adults of the two sexes prefer to remain separate, occasionally roosting together during the months of September, October, February, and March.<ref name=":2" /> Females give birth to one pup per year and can live for about 15 years in the wild. During the birthing season they form small maternity colonies of about 20 individuals, usually in the loose bark of trees or rock crevices. Males and non-reproductive females roost in small groups or alone.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |last1=BARCLAY |first1=ROBERT M. R. |last2=MARK BRIGHAM |first2=R. |date=July 2001 |title=Year-to-year Reuse of Tree-roosts by California Bats (Myotis californicus) in Southern British Columbia |journal=The American Midland Naturalist |volume=146 |issue=1 |pages=80–85 |doi=10.1674/0003-0031(2001)146[0080:ytyrot]2.0.co;2 |issn=0003-0031 |s2cid=56257730}}</ref> During the winter they may hibernate in mines or rock caves, or they may remain active all winter.
thumb|Cladogram showing the relatedness of bats, different colored branches correspond to the species' region.
==See also== *Bats of Canada *Bats of the United States
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Myotis californicus|position=left}}
{{Myotinae nav}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1833423}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Mouse-eared bats Category:Bats of North America Category:Bats of Central America Category:Bats of Canada Category:Bats of the United States Category:Bats of Mexico Category:Fauna of the Northwestern United States Category:Fauna of the Southwestern United States Category:Fauna of California Category:Fauna of the California chaparral and woodlands Category:Fauna of the Rocky Mountains Category:Fauna of the Sierra Nevada (United States) Category:Least concern biota of the United States Category:Least concern biota of North America Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Category:Mammals described in 1842 Category:Taxa named by John James Audubon Category:Taxa named by John Bachman