Update on the distribution of Myotis atacamensis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae): southernmost record and description of its echolocation / calls

ABSTRACT

Myotis atacamensis is a vespertilionid bat known from western Peru to northern Chile, where it is usually associated with coastal deserts. We report the first record of this species from central Chile, extending its geographical distribution ca. 160 km southward. This represents the first observation of M. atacamensis in the temperate sclerophyllous forest of central Chile, a pluviseasonal Mediterranean-climate ecosystem, suggesting it might not be restricted to arid and semiarid environments, as previously thought. We also present the first description of echolocation calls of this understudied species.