The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T14160A4412312
Myotis formosus, Hodgson's Bat
Assessment by: Francis, C., Bates, P., Csorba, G., Molur, S. & Srinivasulu, C.
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: Francis, C., Bates, P., Csorba, G., Molur, S. & Srinivasulu, C. 2008. Myotis formosus. The
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T14160A4412312.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14160A4412312.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Chiroptera
Vespertilionidae
Taxon Name: Myotis formosus (Hodgson, 1835)
Synonym(s):
• Kerivoula pallida
• Myotis formosus subspecies andersoni
• Myotis formosus subspecies auratus
• Vespertilio andersoni
• Vespertilio auratus
• Vespertilio dobsoni
• Vespertilio formosa
Common Name(s):
• English:
Hodgson's Bat, Bartel's Myotis, Hodgson's Myotis
Taxonomic Notes:
Myotis formosus possibly represents a complex of several similar species. Further studies are needed to
clarify the taxonomic status of populations currently allocated to this species.
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published:
2008
Date Assessed:
June 30, 2008
Justification:
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, it has a tolerance of
a degree of habitat modification, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for
listing in a more threatened category.
Previously Published Red List Assessments
1996 – Lower Risk/least concern (LR/lc)
Geographic Range
Range Description:
This species is widespread in northern South Asia, parts of Southeast Asia and East Asia. In South Asia,
this species is presently known from Afghanistan (Nangarhar Province), Bangladesh (Sylhet Division)
(Khan 2001), India (Assam, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharasthra,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Punjab, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and West Bengal [Das 2003]) and Nepal (Central and
Western Nepal) and has been recorded from sea level to an elevation of 3,000 m asl (Molur et al. 2002).
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Myotis formosus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14160A4412312.en
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In Southeast Asia, it has been recorded from Indonesia (the islands of Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and Bali)
and the Philippines (Palawan, Negros, Sibuyan and Luzon). In East Asia, it is present in southern and
central China, the island of Taiwan, the Korean Peninsula and the Tsushima Islands of Japan, where
there are fewer than ten records and it is most likely a vagrant.
Country Occurrence:
Native: Afghanistan; Bangladesh; China; India; Indonesia (Bali, Jawa, Sulawesi, Sumatera); Korea,
Democratic People's Republic of; Korea, Republic of; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Nepal;
Philippines; Taiwan, Province of China
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Myotis formosus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14160A4412312.en
2
Distribution Map
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Myotis formosus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14160A4412312.en
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Population
In South Asia, although is widely distributed it is a rare species (Molur et al. 2002). Although it often
roosts as only a few animals, in some caves it can be relatively numerous, with up to 40-50 individuals. It
is probably only a vagrant in Japan, and is therefore not thought to have breeding colonies on Tsushima
Island (Abe, et al., 2005).
Current Population Trend: Unknown
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
It inhabits lowland and montane primary forest as well as secondary habitats. It roosts in caves, tree
foliage, amongst bushes and in houses. In winter they hibernate in caves. It has been recorded from sea
level up to the foothills of the Himalayas (Bates and Harrison 1997; Smith and Xie 2008).
Systems: Terrestrial
Threats
There appear to be no major threats to this adaptable species as a whole. In South Asia, it is locally
threatened by deforestation for timber, firewood and conversion of land to agricultural use (Molur et al.
2002).
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
It is not known if the species is present in any protected areas. It has not been recorded from any
protected areas in South Asia. Surveys, population and habitat monitoring and ecological studies are
recommended (Molur et al. 2002).
Credits
Assessor(s):
Francis, C., Bates, P., Csorba, G., Molur, S. & Srinivasulu, C.
Reviewer(s):
Hutson, A.M., Racey, P.A. (Chiroptera Red List Authority) & Cox, N. (Global
Mammal Assessment Team)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Myotis formosus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14160A4412312.en
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Bibliography
Abe, H., Ishii, N., Ito, T., Kaneko, Y., Maeda, K., Miura, S. and Yoneda, M. 2005. A Guide to the Mammals
of Japan. Tokai University Press, Kanagawa, Japan.
Bates, P.J.J. and Harrison, D.L. 1997. Bats of the Indian Subcontinent. Harrison Zoological Museum,
Sevenoaks, England, UK.
Blanford, W.T. 1891. The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma, Mammalia. Part II. Taylor
and Francis, London, UK.
Corbet, G.B. and Hill, J.E. 1992. Mammals of the Indo-Malayan Region: a Systematic Review. Oxford
University Press, Oxford, UK.
Das, P. K. 2003. Studies on some Indian Chiroptera from West Bengal. Records of the zoological Survey of
India, Occasional Paper 217: 1-164.
Ellerman, J. R. and Morrison-Scott, T. C. S. 1951. Checklist of Palaearctic and Indian Mammals 1758 to
1946. British Museum (Natural History), London, UK.
Findley, J. S. 1972. Phenetic relationships among bats of the genus Myotis. Systematic Zoology 21(1): 3152.
Heaney, L.R., Balete, D.S., Dollar, M.L., Alcala, A.C., Dans, A.T.L., Gonzales, P.C., Ingle, N.R., Lepiten, M.V.,
Oliver, W.L.R., Ong, P.S., Rickart, E.A., Tabaranza Jr., B.R. and Utzurrum, R.C.B. 1998. A synopsis of the
mammalian fauna of the Philippine Islands. Fieldiana: Zoology (New Series) 88: 1–61.
IUCN. 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 5 October 2008).
Khan, M. A. R. 2001. Status and dsitribution of bats in Bangladesh with notes on their ecology. Zoos'Print
Journal 16(5): 479-483.
Molur, S., Marimuthu, G., Srinivasulu, C., Mistry, S. Hutson, A. M., Bates, P. J. J., Walker, S., Padmapriya,
K. and Binupriya, A. R. 2002. Status of South Asian Chiroptera: Conservation Assessment and
Management Plan (C.A.M.P.) Workshop Report. Zoo Outreach Organization/CBSG-South Asia,
Coimbatore, India.
Sinha, Y. P. 1986. The bats of Bihar: Taxonomy and ecology. Records of the Zoological Survey of India,
Miscellaneous Publications, Occassional Paper 77: 1-68.
Smith, A.T. and Xie, Y. (eds). 2008. A Guide to the Mammals of China. Princeton University Press,
Princeton, New Jersey.
Srinivasulu, C., Srinivasulu, B. and Sinha, Y. P. In press. Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of South Asia:
Biogeography, diversity, taxonomy and distribution. Journal of Threatened Taxa.
Won, C.M. and Smith, K.G. 1999. History and current status of mammals of the Korean Peninsula.
Mammal Review 29(1): 3-36.
Yoon, M. H. 1990. Taxonomical study on four Myotis (Vespertilionidae) species in Korea. Korean Journal
of Systematic Zoology 6: 173-191.
Yoshiyuki, M. 1989. A Systematic Study of the Japanese Chiroptera. National Science Museum, Tokyo,
Japan.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Myotis formosus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14160A4412312.en
5
Citation
Francis, C., Bates, P., Csorba, G., Molur, S. & Srinivasulu, C. 2008. Myotis formosus. The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species 2008: e.T14160A4412312.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14160A4412312.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Myotis formosus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14160A4412312.en
6
Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
1. Forest -> 1.4. Forest - Temperate
-
Suitable
Yes
1. Forest -> 1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland
-
Suitable
Yes
1. Forest -> 1.9. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane
-
Suitable
Yes
7. Caves and Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) -> 7.1. Caves and
Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) - Caves
-
Suitable
Yes
7. Caves and Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) -> 7.2. Caves and
Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) - Other Subterranean Habitats
-
Unknown
-
14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.4. Artificial/Terrestrial - Rural Gardens
-
Marginal
-
14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.5. Artificial/Terrestrial - Urban Areas
-
Unknown
-
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.1. Taxonomy
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology
3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends
Additional Data Fields
Distribution
Estimated area of occupancy (AOO) (km²): >2,000
Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) (km²): >20,000
Lower elevation limit (m): 0
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Myotis formosus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14160A4412312.en
7
Distribution
Upper elevation limit (m): 3000
Population
Population severely fragmented: No
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Myotis formosus – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T14160A4412312.en
8
The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™