First record of Myotis alcathoe von Helversen & Heller, 2001 (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in Macedonia

Abstract

Only recently separated from the Myotis mystacinus species complex, the Alcathoe whiskered bat (Myotis alcathoe) is one of the rarest tree-dwelling bats in Europe. In fact, despite the increased number of records across the continent, it is generally still poorly known. Here we present its discovery in Macedonia. A molecularly confirmed Myotis alcathoe was mist netted in the lower part of Štučka River Valley, near the Štuka village in SE Macedonia. The species is new for the bat fauna of Macedonia. This discovery brings the total number of bat species known to occur in the country to 29. In addition, the study reports the third record of the rare Western Barbastelle bat, Barbastella barbastellus (Schreber, 1774) from Macedonia.