Conservation Concern ³

Description ³

Very little is known about the Northern Myotis in Yukon. It was rst recorded from the LaBiche River in 2004 and from the Watson Lake area in 2007. Its range covers much of North America but is absent in the mid-western US and rare in the southeastern US. The species appears more common in the northern parts of its range.

Typical Habitat ³

Northern Myotis are not known to hibernate in Yukon. They are less cold tolerant than Little Brown Myotis. In Yukon, they have been found only in the Liard River drainage in older White Spruce dominated forests. Northern Myotis rarely use human-made structures for roosting and are strongly associated with older trees. Maternity colonies in eastern Canada are usually in larger trees, ranging from 25-44 cm diameter.

Potential Threats ³

White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is caused by a fungal pathogen (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) that likely was brought from Europe and was first recorded in US in 2006 and in Canada in 2010. Since then, population declines of more than 90% in northeastern US and 94% decline in hibernating populations of Myotis bats in hibernacula in Eastern Canada have been reported. Mixing of bats during autumn swarming events and transmission by people may help spread WNS across species range. Rate of spread has averaged 200- 250 km/yr and WNS is predicted to infect the entire Canadian range by 2025-2028. Other threats include wind turbines, colony eradication due to public concerns regarding disease transmission, and other con icts and disturbances.

Did You Know? ³

Northern Myotis are rarely seen, even in areas where they are common, because they are generally solitary and prefer to stay within the forest canopy. This species is also known to feed by gleaning (taking insects directly off leaves and tree bark).

Sources and Credits

1. (c) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://www.flickr.com/photos/50838842@N06/5881232758
2. (c) Dave Thomas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidjthomas/10138829285/
3. (c) L.G. Johanson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNaturalist.ca taxon page
• AMNH Bats of the World
• Animal Diversity Web
• ASM Mammal Diversity Database
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• iNaturalist Mammal Working Group
• Maryland Biodiversity Project
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• VertNet

Range Map

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