Piecing the punicus Puzzle

摘要: The occurrence of Myotis species in the Mediterranean region has been documented for a very long time. At present, 15 are known to inhabit (Temple & Cuttelod, 2009). However classification some these continuously shifting and somewhat difficult determine. One such what is now referred as punicus Felten, 1977 (Castella et al., 2000). Until late 1990s was generally thought be an insular variant either myotis or blythii, mostly because both distributed throughout region. It considered smaller (Gulia, 1913; Ellerman Morrison-Scott, 1966; Benda Horacek, 1995), larger blythii (Lanza, 1959; Strelkov, 1972; Felten 1977; Bogan 1978; Corbet, 1978). In Malta, authors also attributed particular individuals other including daubentoni 1913), capaccinii 1913) oxygnathus (Lanfranco, 1969). However, several have commented on differences observed from across rest their distribution range expressed doubt correct (Strinati, 1951; Gaisler, 1983; Menu Popelard, 1987; Borg 1990; Courtois 1992).