Mount Missim long-eared bat

The Mount Missim long-eared bat (Nyctophilus shirleyae) is a species of vesper bat found in Papua New Guinea.

Mount Missim long-eared bat
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Chiroptera
Family:	Vespertilionidae
Genus:	Nyctophilus
Species:	N. shirleyae
Binomial name
Nyctophilus shirleyae Parnaby, 2009
Distribution of the Mount Missim long-eared bat

Taxonomy and etymology

The Mount Missim long-eared bat was described as a new species by H. Parnaby in 2009. The holotype had been collected in 1988 on Mount Missim by H. Parnaby. The eponym for the species name "shirleyae" was H. Parnaby's mother, Shirley Jean Parnaby. H. Parnaby wrote that she was "a great admirer of the people of the Papua New Guinea nation and its biodiversity," in addition to a supporter of his childhood interest in mammals.^[2]

Description

Its forearm length is approximately 46.8 mm (1.84 in). Individuals weigh 11.5–13 g (0.41–0.46 oz).^[2]

Range and habitat

It is endemic to Papua New Guinea. It has been documented at elevations between 500–1,700 m (1,600–5,600 ft) above sea level.^[1]

Conservation

As of 2020, it is assessed as a data deficient species by the IUCN.^[1]