{{Short description|Species of vesper bat}} {{Speciesbox | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn">{{cite iucn |author=Srinivasulu, C. |author2=Srinivasulu, A. |year=2020 |title=''Plecotus wardi'' |volume=2020 |article-number=e.T85535265A85535306 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T85535265A85535306.en |access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref> | taxon = Plecotus wardi | authority = Thomas, 1911 | synonyms = ''Plecotus ariel'' <small>Thomas, 1911</small> }}

'''Ward's long-eared bat''' ('''''Plecotus wardi''''') is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is found in mountainous regions of South Asia and adjoining regions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite mdd|title=''Plecotus wardi'' O. Thomas, 1911|id=1005678|access-date=2022-02-20}}</ref>

== Taxonomy == It was described in 1911 by Oldfield Thomas, but was later reclassified as conspecific with the grey long-eared bat (''P. austriacus''). However, a 2006 study confirmed it as a distinct species using genetic and morphological evidence, and revived it as such.<ref name="Spitzenberger 2006 187–230">{{Cite journal|last1=Spitzenberger|first1=Friederike|last2=Strelkov|first2=Petr P.|last3=Winkler|first3=Hans|last4=Haring|first4=Elisabeth|date=2006|title=A preliminary revision of the genus Plecotus (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) based on genetic and morphological results|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1463-6409.2006.00224.x|journal=Zoologica Scripta|language=en|volume=35|issue=3|pages=187–230|doi=10.1111/j.1463-6409.2006.00224.x|s2cid=86065200 |issn=1463-6409|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The results of this study have been followed by the American Society of Mammalogists, the IUCN Red List, and the ITIS.<ref name="iucn" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite ITIS |taxon= Plecotus wardi|id=946499|access-date=2022-02-20}}</ref> It was named after Colonel A. E. Ward, an amateur naturalist and member of the Bombay Natural History Society.<ref>{{Cite book|first=Bo|last=Beolens|title=The eponym dictionary of mammals|date=2009|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|isbn=978-0-8018-9533-3|oclc=593239356}}</ref>

'''''Plecotus ariel''''' was described as a new species in 1911 by Oldfield Thomas. The holotype is the only individual that has ever been documented. It had been collected in Kangding, China at an elevation of {{cvt|8400|ft|m|order=flip}} above sea level, as part of the Duke of Bedford's Zoological Expedition, led by Malcolm Playfair Anderson.<ref name="Thomas2">{{cite journal|last1=Thomas|first1=Oldfield|year=1911|title=10. 'The Duke of Bedford' s Zoological Exploration of Eastern Asia.- XIII. On Mammals from the Provinces of Kan-su and Sze-chwan, Western China|journal=Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London|volume=81|pages=158–180|doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.1911.tb06996.x}}</ref> It was similar in appearance to Ognev's long-eared bat.<ref name="Spitzenberger2">{{cite journal|last1=Spitzenberger|first1=Friederike|last2=Strelkov|first2=Petr P.|last3=Winkler|first3=Hans|last4=Haring|first4=Elisabeth|year=2006|title=A preliminary revision of the genus ''Plecotus'' (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) based on genetic and morphological results|journal=Zoologica Scripta|volume=35|issue=3|pages=187–230|doi=10.1111/j.1463-6409.2006.00224.x|s2cid=86065200 }}</ref> It was sometimes included as a subspecies of the grey long-eared bat (''Plecotus austriacus'').<ref>{{ITIS |title=''Plecotus ariel'' Thomas, 1911|id=946497|access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref> However, the same study that revived ''P. wardi'' found ''P. ariel'' to be synonymous with it, and thus synonymized ''P. ariel'' with it.<ref name="Spitzenberger 2006 187–230"/> This has been followed by the ASM and the ITIS, although the IUCN still classifies ''P. ariel'' as a Data Deficient species.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite iucn |author=Fukui, D. |year=2019 |title=''Plecotus ariel'' |volume=2019 |article-number=e.T85534953A85534957 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T85534953A85534957.en |access-date=2 July 2024}}</ref>

== Distribution and habitat == It is found in the Himalayas and Hindu Kush mountains, ranging from northeastern Afghanistan through the Himalayas of India and Pakistan, south to Nepal and Sichuan, China. It roosts in caves surrounded by coniferous forest, and occasionally in human-built structures.<ref name="iucn" />

== Description == It has a forearm length of approximately {{cvt|44|mm|in}}.<ref name="Thomas2"/> Its forearm, thumb, and claw lengths are among the greatest in its genus. It has a medium-sized skull relative to other members of its genus,<ref name="Spitzenberger2"/> with a greatest length of {{cvt|17.2|mm|in}}.<ref name="Thomas2" /> Its orbital processes and zygomatic arches are weak, with the orbit (eye socket) elliptical in shape. It can be differentiated from other members of ''Plecotus'' by its large body size and darker fur.<ref name="Spitzenberger2" />

== Status == It may be threatened by cave tourism and destruction, both of which may lead to a decline in habitat quality. It may also be threatened by the demolition of abandoned buildings that serve as roosting sites. However, due to its wide distribution, it is presently listed as Least Concern.<ref name="iucn" />

== References == {{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2183283|from2=Q2592169}}

Category:Taxa named by Oldfield Thomas Category:Mammals described in 1911 Category:Bats of Asia Category:Plecotus