Oriental serotine

Oriental serotine
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Chiroptera
Family:	Vespertilionidae
Genus:	Eptesicus
Species:	E. pachyomus
Binomial name
Eptesicus pachyomus Tomes, 1857
File:Range Eptesicus pachyomus.png

The Oriental serotine (Eptesicus pachyomus) is a species of bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is widespread and found throughout Asia.

Taxonomy

This species was formerly considered a subspecies of the serotine bat (E. serotinus), which is thought to be its closest relative. However, a 2013 study found significant genetic divergence between E. serotinus and E. pachyomus, and thus pachyomus was raised to species status. These results have been accepted by the American Society of Mammalogists, IUCN Red List, and ITIS.

It has four subspecies:

• E. p. pachyomus: India, Nepal, possibly Myanmar
• E. p. andersoni: eastern Asia
• E. p. pallens: western China
• E. p. horikawai: Taiwan

Habitat and distribution

The species is widespread and in found in China, Taiwan, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Pakistan and Iran. It inhabits habitats such as semi-desert, steppe habitats, and tropical forests. It roosts in shaded areas such as cracks in rocks and buildings. It also occasionally roosts in the frontal part of caves. It generally roosts alone or in small groups.

Biology

It feeds on butterflies and moths.

Conservation

The bat has been assessed by the IUCN as least-concern. The bat does not require any conservation actions, and occurs in protected regions across its range.