Taxonomy
Myotis brandtii | Brandt's Bat
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
HABITATS DIRECTIVE ARTICLE 17 REPORTING
| Range | N/A |
| Population | N/A |
| Habitat | N/A |
| Future Prospects | N/A |
| Overall Assessment of Conservation Status | N/A |
| Overall Trend in Conservation Status | N / A |
Myotis brandtii was considered a vagrant for the purpose of Habitats Directive Article 17 reporting for the period 2007-2012, as a consequence of which no full Article 17 assessment was carried out for that period.
Sources: NPWS 2013; Marnell, F. et al 2009.
IUCN Conservation Status |
| Ireland (1) | Data Deficient |
| Europe (2) | Least Concern |
| Global (3) | Least Concern |
Legal status
Protected by the following legal instruments:
- Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), Annex IV
- Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) Appendix II
- Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS)
- Wildlife Act (1976)
- Wildlife (Amendment) Act (2000)
- Wildlife (N.I.) Order of 1985
Native status
Currently considered as a vagrant species in Ireland.
Source: NPWS 2013.
A specimen of Brandt’s Bat was first recorded in Ireland in 2003 when one was discovered clinging to a newly painted fence in County Wicklow. The bat subsequently died and its identification was determined by DNA analysis.
This sibling species to the Whiskered Bat is known from only five specimens found to date in Cos. Cavan, Clare, Kerry, Tipperary and Wicklow. However, these animals were identified by physical characteristics in the hand and not genetically. As no resident population has yet been identified on the island of Ireland, the species’ status remains unknown.
Source: Conor Kelleher.
Comprehensive surveying of known populations of the Whiskered Bat (Myotis mysaticnus) were surveyed in 2008 / 2009 by the Centre for Irish Bat Research following the confirmation by D.N.A. analysis of the presence of at least one Brandt's Bat (Myostis brandtii) in Ireland. No further records for Brandt's Bat were revealed by this survey work.
Source: Roche N. et al, 2014.
Species Biology
Identification
Brandt’s Bat (Myotis brandtii ) and the Whiskered Bat (Myotis mystacinus) were only discovered to be separate species in 1971.
- The dorsal fur is long and bi-coloured being dark grey/brown at the base and light brown at the tip with a gold sheen.
- The ventral fur is greyish with a yellowish tinge.
- The skin is light brown and the base of the ear and tragus is lighter.
- The species is not as noisy as the Whiskered Bat when handled.
- It is rapid and agile in flight but it is not as manoeuverable as the Whiskered Bat.
- It cannot be separated from the Whiskered Bat by detector as their calls are identical.
Source: Conor Kelleher.
Habitat
On the continent, the Brandt’s Bat is known to roost in buildings and bat boxes in summer. During the winter months, the species hibernates in caves, mines, tunnels and cellars. This is a woodland species but it is also found over water and feeds along tree lines and hedgerows and probably feeds on similar prey to that of the whiskered bat.
Source: Conor Kelleher.
Habitats include but are not necessarily limited to;
- Semi-natural woodland (WN) [but possibly not Bog woodland (WN7)]
- Highly modified non-native woodland (WD)
- Scrub / transitional woodland (WS)
- Linear woodland / scrub (WL)
- Freshwater (F) [above rather than in.]
- Building and artificial surfaces (BL3)
- Non-marine caves (EU1)
- Artificial underground habitats (EU2)
Reproduction
Breeding is poorly understood at present. Females give birth to a single pup in June, depending on weather.
Source: Harris S.,Yalden D.W. 2008
Threats faced
In the Article 17 Habitats Directive reporting for the period 2007-2012 no Threats were listed for this species.
Source: NPWS 2013.
The 2009 Irish Red List of Terrestrial Mammals notes that the species was only first confirmed as occuring in Ireland in 2003.
A survey reported in 2010 that surveys of maternity roosts of Myotis mystacinus, which Myotis brandtii closely resembles, did not identify M. brandtii again and it cannot currently be considered a resident species.
Sources: Marnell, F. et al 2009; Boston E.M. at al 2010.
Conservation actions
In the Article 17 Habitats Directive reporting for the period 2007-2012 no Conservation Measures, in place or being implemented, were listed for this species.
Source: NPWS 2013.
The 2009 Irish Red List of Terrestrial Mammals lists threats identified for the species in Wales but notes that 'More information is required on distribution and roosting habits in Ireland to inform conservation efforts'.
Sources: Marnell, F. et al 2009.
In a 2007 All Ireland Species Action Plan for Bats a total of 37 Actions were identified for all Irish bat species
as part of the plan.
Sources: EHS / DEHLG 2007.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
The 2008 IUCN Global Red List assessmnet for this species notes the species as native in the following countries;
Albania; Austria; Belarus; Belgium; Bulgaria; China; Croatia; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Italy; Japan; Kazakhstan; Korea, Republic of; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Moldova; Mongolia; Montenegro; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Romania; Russian Federation; Serbia (Serbia); Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; Turkey; Ukraine; United Kingdom.
Source: Hutson, A.M. et al 200.
Irish distribution
The species has been reported as identified in five locations since 2003, but not confirmed by genetic analysis.
Source: Conor Kelleher.
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
How can you help
The National Biodiversity Data Centre is trying to improve our knowledge
on the distribution of Brandt's Bat in Ireland. Should you
observe this bat species, please submit sightings to add to the
database. Detailed observations will assist us gaining a better insight
into where the species is most abundant in Ireland and we might also be
able to detect regional variations. Please submit any sightings and
photographs at
http://records.biodiversityireland.ie/index.php
All
records submitted on line can be viewed on Google Maps – once checked
and validated these will be added to the Mammals of Ireland Database and
made available for conservation and research.
Further information
For further information contact Dr. Liam Lysaght llysaght@biodiversityireland.ie
References
Publications
Environments and Heritage Service / Department of Enviroment, Heritage and Local Government (2008) All Ireland Species Action Plan Bats
Fossitt, J.A. (2001) A Guide to Habitats in Ireland. The Heritage Council.
Harris S., Yalden D.W. (2008). Mammals of the British Isles :Handbook, 4th Edition. The Mammal Society.
Hutson, A.M., Spitzenberger, F., Coroiu, I., Aulagnier, S., Juste, J., Karatas, A., Palmeirim, J. & Paunovic, M. 2008. Myotis brandtii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 17 October 2014.
Hutson, T., Spitzenberger, F., Aulagnier S., Coroiu, I., 2007. Myotis brandtii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 17 October 2014.
Marnell, F., Kingston, N. & Looney, D. (2009) Ireland Red List No. 3: Terrestrial Mammals, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland.
NPWS (2013) The Status of EU Protected Habitats and Species in Ireland. Species Assessments Volume 3. Version 1.0. Unpublished Report, National Parks & Wildlife Services. Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland.
Roche N., Aughney T., Marnell F. and Lundy M. (2014) Irish Bats in the 21st Century. Bat Conservation Ireland. Virginia, Co. Cavan.