A new species of long-eared bat (Nyctophilus: Vespertilionidae) from New Caledonia.

Abstract

A new species of Nyctophilus is described on the basis of three specimens from the hinterland of Nouméa, New Caledonia. Comparisons are made with a large series of the most similar species, N. gouldi and N. bifax from eastern Australia, from which it differs on external, cranial, dental and penile morphology. The new species most resembles N. gouldi and its affinities appear to lie within the Australian fauna. An IUCN threat category of ‘Vulnerable’ is suggested due to a localised distribution in threatened high elevation rainforest.