A finding of Eptesicus gobiensis in an ancient salt mine in Iran and notes on the status of this bat in the Middle East (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

Two mummified bats were found in an ancient salt mine near Chehrabad, NW Iran. One complete and one partial skeletons, both associated with parts of the pelage, identified as Eptesicus gobiensis, a bat species rare Middle East. The comparison skull statistical evaluation craniodental data showed this to belong identical taxon previously collected Qutur Su caves, Iran; part Iran is thus area broader distribution bat, second record reported here confirms its preference for dry upper plateaus. This Iranian population exhibits much similarity E. gobiensis bobrinskoi living lowland deserts Kazakhstan, but it simultaneously shows morphological ecological differences from Kazakhstani populations. Therefore, tentatively g. cf. bobrinskoi. rank was be composed three morphotypes separate ranges, mountain plateaus Central Asia, lowlands However, phylogenetic taxonomic statuses morphotype still remain elicudated.