Morphometric Analysis and Sexual-Size Dimorphism of Myotis punicus (Chiroptera, Mammalia) in Bejaia (North Algeria)

Authors: Ahmim M*

DOI: 10.23880/izab-16000374

Volume 5, Issue 3

Abstract

In the past, morphometric studies were restricted to quantitative description. In recent years, the use of morphometric has increased in ecological research and has been well recognized as a new approach in morphological studies, because morphometric data have been proven to be an important source of information to understand many biological phenomena especially in bats. According to specialists on chiropterology external morphology is commonly used to identify bats as well as to investigate flight and foraging behavior, typically relying on simple length and area measures or ratios. Traditionally three species of the genus Myotis belonging to the family Vespertilionidae have been reported from the Maghreb: M. myotis, M. punicus, and M.blythii, but recent studies indicate that only the maghrebian mouse- eared bat Myotis punicus occurs there. This species is difficult to identify as it has a mixture of characters from both the other two species. Therefore, its systematic position has long been troubled. The morphometric analysis of the species was done only in Corsica (France), Malta and Europe but not in Algeria, the current paper presents the result of a its morphometric data and a sexual-size dimorphism. The IUCN red list of threatened species (2008) lists Myotis punicus as deficient data, indicating that more data are needed for categorization and population trends.

Keywords: Vespertilionidae; Myotis punicus; Morphometry; Algeria; IUNC Red List

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