Created by OscarStell1647
Last edited January 5, 2026


Peyton's myotis
Scientific classification edit
: [[Template:Taxonomy/Myotis]]
Species:
Binomial name
Template:Taxonomy/MyotisMyotis peytoni
Peyton's myotis range in yellow (underestimation of the actual range extent)
Synonyms

Myotis montivagus peytoni

Peyton's myotis (Myotis peytoni), also known as Peyton's whiskered bat, is a species of vesper bat endemic to India.[2]

Taxonomy[edit | edit source]

It was described in 1913, and was generally considered a subspecies of the Burmese whiskered bat (M. montivagus) for about a century. However, a 2013 study reclassified it as a distinct species on morphological grounds, using cranial and dental features.[1][3] This has also been followed by the American Society of Mammalogists, the IUCN Red List, and the ITIS.[2][1][4]

Distribution and habitat[edit | edit source]

It is restricted to peninsular India, where it ranges from the vicinity of Vishakhapatnam west to the Karnataka coast, and as far south as inland Tamil Nadu. It is thought to inhabit lowland tropical forests. In 1913, individuals of M. peytoni were recorded swarming among the rocky crevices of Jog Falls, and this was also the type locality of the species.[1]

Status[edit | edit source]

This species may potentially be a cave-dweller, so it may be threatened by caving. In addition, as it is known to inhabit tall forests, it may be threatened by deforestation. However, very little information is known about this species, and it is thus classified as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.[1]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Csorba, G.; Görföl, T. (2017). "Myotis peytoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017 e.T85568321A85568324. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T85568321A85568324.en. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Template:Cite mdd
  3. Görföl, Tamás; Estók, Péter; Gábor, Csorba (2013-03-28). "The Subspecies Of Myotis montivagus - Taxonomic Revision And Species Limits (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)". Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae. 59 (1): 41–59. doi:10.5281/zenodo.5736085.
  4. "Myotis peytoni". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2022-01-24.