2021 SIMMONS ET AL,: NEW SPECIES OF MYOTIS 23 
currently recognized apparently represents a species complex (see Patterson et al., 2019; figs. 
10, 11), and most of what is known about these bats is based on observations of South Afri- 
can populations. The M. tricolor complex occurs primarily in savanna woodland in moun- 
tainous areas, penetrating into drier, more open terrain in the southern part of their range 
(Smithers, 1983; Taylor, 2000; Monadjem et al., 2010). These bats apparently roost exclusively 
underground in caves and mines, where they are gregarious and roost in tight clusters (Tay- 
lor, 1998, 2000; Monadjem et al,, 2010). Average group size in South Africa is apparently a 
few dozen individuals, but M. tricolor may congregate in groups as large as 1400 to 2000 
individuals (McDonald et al., 1990; Taylor, 1998, 2000; Monadjem et al., 2010). Myotis tri- 
color may share roosts with Miniopterus species (Taylor, 1998, 2000). Myotis tricolor is known 
to be migratory in parts of South Africa, flying hundreds of kilometers between summer 
maternity caves and winter hibernation caves (Taylor, 1998, 2000). Smithers (1983) and 
Monadjem et al. (2010) speculated that the occurrence of M. tricolor is probably governed 
more by the availability of caves and mine adits than by the vegetational associations or ter- 
rain in which they are found. In this respect M. nimbaensis may be similar, Despite numerous 
bat surveys in the Nimba region (summarized by Monadjem et al., 2016), the only place this 
species has been found is in association with mine adits in the Mining Concession area in 
the Guinean Nimba Mountains. We recorded echolocation activity at sunset and sunrise at 
mine adit entrances, indicating M. nimbaensis regularly roosts in abandoned adits. Colony 
size of M. nimbaensis may be small, as small as a few to single individuals, based on typically 
very low levels of echolocation activity at mine entrances where the species was detected. 
With known occurrence at only a single locality at 1400 m of elevation, M. nimbaensis is 
likely much more of a habitat specialist than are members of the M. tricolor complex, which 
appear to have a broader geographic range, 
Myotis welwitschii (known from Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo south to 
South Africa; Simmons, 2005; Monadjem et al., 2017b; Patterson et al., 2019) is thought to be 
more of a habitat specialist tied to paramontane areas covered by woodland or woodland-forest 
mosaic vegetation; it has been captured also in riverine coastal forest adjacent to sugar cane 
fields and open thornveld (Smithers, 1983; Taylor, 1991, 1998; 2000; Fahr and Ebigbo, 2003). 
Myotis welwitschii is thought to be a solitary species (Taylor, 1991, 2000; Ratcliffe, 2002), Roost- 
ing habits of M. welwitschii are poorly known, but this species has been found roosting in 
vegetation including low bushes and shrubs, trees, furled banana leaves, and a single individual 
has also been captured in a cave (Smithers and Wilson, 1979; Rautenbach, 1982; Smithers, 
1983; Skinner and Smithers, 1990; Taylor, 1998, 2000; Monadjem et al., 2010). At least two 
specimens of M. welwitschii were collected hanging in the open during the day, and in at least 
one case the bat was mistaken for a dead leaf before being revealed as a roosting bat (Taylor, 
2000). It is possible that the unusual fur color and dichromatic wings of this species help to 
provide camouflage under such conditions. 
Myotis morrisi is a rare species known only from Ethiopia and Nigeria (Hill and Morris, 
1971; Hill et al., 1988; Simmons, 2005), a range that suggests either that many populations 
remain unsampled or that it represents a species complex. The holotype of M. morrisi was col- 
