Scientists on Wednesday announced the discovery of a new species of bat in Africa that has an impressive mix of orange and black colors, according to reports.
The new Halloween-toned bat, Myotis nimbaensis, was found after scientists set out on an expedition in 2018 to research the habitat of an endangered bat species in West African country Guinea, the New York Times reported.
“It was kind of a life goal in a way that I never thought would happen,” said Dr. Jon Flanders, director of interventions for endangered species at Bat Conservation International, a nonprofit organization based in Austin, Texas. “Each species is important, but you are attracted to those that look interesting, and this one is really spectacular.”
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However, it took about two years to determine that Myotis nimbaensis was a new species. (The bat’s name comes from Guinea’s Nimba Mountains, where it was discovered.) The confirmation and details of the discovery were published on Wednesday in the American Museum Novitates.
“When I first saw it, I thought it was a common species,” said Dr. Eric Bakwo Fils, a bat expert at the University of Maroua in Cameroon, according to the newspaper.
Scientists said they found the pumpkin-orange bat mixed with the usual browns in their trap, originally believing it to be just a strange-colored bat.
Dr. Flanders and Dr. Bakwo Fils spent that night trying to solve the mystery.
“The next morning, I met Eric and, almost at the same time, we said, ‘This is a new species’,” said Flanders.
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Experts say that about 20 new species of bats are found each year, according to the Washington Post. Although none has the striking appearance of Myotis nimbaensis.
“The color is just phenomenal,” Flanders told the newspaper. “Their wings are black with these orange fingers. There aren’t many orange bats in the world. I don’t usually work with so many brightly colored bats. It’s definitely unusual for me.”
After the discovery, the researchers – through genetic analysis – determined that Myotis nimbaensis was at least five percent different from its closest relatives.
The next step is to learn about the ecology of species, so that they can determine the best way to protect it, said Flanders, according to the New York Times. Dr Bakwo Fils added that he hopes the unique discovery and the excitement around it will serve as a catalyst to help better protect bats in the region.
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“This discovery is very important in terms of bat biodiversity in West Africa, because even though bats are a very important component of our ecosystems, they rarely receive attention,” he said.