Asian barbastelle

The Asian barbastelle (Barbastella leucomelas), also known as the levant barbastelle or eastern barbastelle, is a species of vesper bat. Its habitat is temperate forests and caves. It is threatened by habitat loss. It can be found in Egypt (Sinai), Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Eritrea.

Taxonomy and etymology
It was described as a new species in 1826 by German scientist Philipp Jakob Cretzschmar.
Cretzschmar initially placed it in the genus Vespertilio, with the binomial Vespertilio leucomelas.
Its species name "leucomelas" is from Ancient Greek "leukomélās" meaning "black and white."

Description
Its forearm is  long and its tail is  long.
Its ears are large and forward-facing.
The tragi are large as well and very hairy.
Its fur is blackish on its back but more brown on its ventral side.
Its thumb is quite small, at  long including the claw.

Biology and ecology
During the day, it roosts in sheltered places such as old buildings.

Range and habitat
It is widely distributed throughout Asia and its range extends into a few African and European countries as well.
It has been documented in the following countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, China, Egypt, Eritrea, Georgia, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
It has been documented up to  above sea level.

References

Category:Barbastella
Category:Mammals described in 1826
Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot
Category:Taxa named by Philipp Jakob Cretzschmar
Category:Bats of Africa
Category:Bats of Asia