ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → Animals

Golden bat discovered in Bolivia

Scientists previously misclassified a golden bat which lives in Bolivia. This new study reemphasizes the importance of museum specimens, which can be used to draw new information about species thought to be understood.

Dragos MitricabyDragos Mitrica
August 5, 2014
in Animals, Biology, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Researchers want to create the first universally accepted list of species
Giant, ancient bat discovered in New Zealand could walk on all fours
‘Half-Earth’ conservation schemes would affect over a billion people
Deadly Mers virus found in tomb bat – not the one spreading it to humans

The bat species was known to science previously, but scientists misclassified it – so technically, it’s still a discovery.

Myotis midastactus had previously been classified as another bat found in South America called Myotis simus. However, after analyzing a collection of museum specimen researchers found that it was in fact a different species, which lives only in Bolivia. The characteristic bright gold color earned it the name midasactus – after the mythological Greek king Midas, who turned to gold everything he touched.

Dr Ricardo Moratelli and Dr Don Wilson, from Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz (Oswaldo Cruz Foundation), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, US respectively conducted the study. They were unable to catch any specimens even after spending two months trying to do so. However, he was able to classify it with museum specimens, also emphasizing their importance.

“I can confidently say that many new species from different zoological groups are in museum cabinets around the world, awaiting recognition and formal description.”

He also adds that finding (or re-finding) a species is one of the most exciting things a biologist can do.

“Discovering new species is the most exciting part of my research, and in some cases describing a new species can be the first step to preserve others.”

 

Tags: batspecies

ShareTweetShare
Dragos Mitrica

Dragos Mitrica

Dragos has been working in geology for six years, and loving every minute of it. Now, his more recent focus is on paleoclimate and climatic evolution, though in his spare time, he also dedicates a lot of time to chaos theory and complex systems.

Related Posts

Serotine bat. Image credits: Alona Shulenko.
Animals

Why Bats Don’t Get Cancer—And What That Could Mean for Us

byTudor Tarita
2 weeks ago
Animals

10 “Living Fossils” That Have Survived Mass Extinctions And Have Barely Changed in Millions of Years

byTibi Puiu
8 months ago
majestic tiger
Animals

We only have one last chance to save the tigers

byMihai Andrei
10 months ago
Biology

This microorganism used for biofuel production is actually three species

byMihai Andrei
11 months ago

Recent news

China Resurrected an Abandoned Soviet ‘Sea Monster’ That’s Part Airplane, Part Hovercraft

June 30, 2025
great white shark

This Shark Expert Has Spent Decades Studying Attacks and Says We’ve Been Afraid for the Wrong Reasons

June 30, 2025

A Rocket Carried Cannabis Seeds and 166 Human Remains into Space But Their Capsule Never Made It Back

June 30, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.