Northern Myotis

Myotis septentrionalis

General Status Rank: 
At Risk
ELCODE: 
AMACC01150
Common Name: 
Northern Myotis
Scientific Name: 
Myotis septentrionalis
Naming References: 
R169
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Mammal (Terrestrial Mammal)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Mammalia
Order: 
Chiroptera
Family: 
Vespertilionidae
References: 
BAT2
R169
Habitat
Woodland species including boreal forest - roosts under loose bark of trees - hibernates in caves and old mines (BAT2). Roost in tree cavities/bark, other roosts unknown (species not well studied), tend to roost in small groups or solitary. Hibernates (suspected to hibernate in NWT but no firm evidence yet) (R160).
References: 
BAT2
R160
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Cordillera, Taiga Plains, Boreal Plains
References: 
BAT1
BAT2

Distribution

135,568 km (SARC, 2017: R282).
Score: 
F = 2
References: 
BAT1
BAT2
R282

Number of Occurrences

2-4 (SARC, 2017). Relatively abundant in the southern NWT (109 confirmed captures and specimens; Wilson et al., 2014). This includes evidence of females reproducing in the Fort Smith area. Northern myotis is suspected to hibernate in the NWT (Wilson et al., 2014; Lausen et al., 2014; Reimer and Kaupas, 2013 in H314).
Score: 
A = 1
References: 
BAT1
BAT2
H194
R160
H255
A398
H317

Historical Distribution

Southwestern Mackenzie.
References: 
BAT1
BAT2

Area of Occupancy

117,588 km2 (SARC, 2017).
Score: 
H = >
References: 
H108
Population

Population Size

More than 3,700 at known hibernacula. Northern myotis is widely distributed in the southern NWT with a range similar to that of little brown myotis. Northern myotis appears to be relatively abundant in NWT (Wilson et al., 2014).
Score: 
E = 2
References: 
BAT1
BAT2
A398
Trends

Trends

Unknown (possibly stable)
References: 
H108
Threats

Threats

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease associated with mass die-offs of hibernating bats. WNS has killed more than 5.5 million bats in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. It continues to spread rapidly but has not yet reached western or northern Canada (www.whitenosesyndrome.org). Northern myotis has experienced extreme population declines due to WNS in the east (98% declines at affected hibernacula; Turner et al., 2011 in H317).
Score: 
AC =
References: 
BAT1
H243
R230
H317

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
References: 
BAT1
H243
R230
H317
General Status Rank
Rank: 
At Risk
Status Rank Description: 
This species has experienced high levels of mortality from white-nose syndrome in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States. Population declines in the NWT are expected if and when the disease spreads to the NWT.
S Rank: 
S2S3
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted using information and comments from M. Fournier. Reviewed in 2004, no changes in status. Reviewed in 2010, no change (S. Carriere). Reviewed in 2010, modified to may be at risk (J. Wilson). Modified to at risk due to emergency assessment (COSEWIC, 2012); confirmed as Endangered (COSEWIC, 2013). Reviewed in 2015, no change. Reviewed in 2020, no change even after formal assessment by SARC, 2017 as Special Concern; remained at risk due to status in Canada as Endangered.
Last Updated: 
February 15, 2024
Status Designations

NWT - Assessment by Species at Risk Committee

NWT SARC Assessment: 
Special Concern
2017
References: 
R2017003

NWT - Species at Risk Legal Status

NWT Status Rank: 
Special Concern
2018

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
Endangered
Designated Endangered in an emergency assessment on February 3, 2012. Status re-examined and confirmed in November 2013 (COSEWIC. 2013. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the little brown myotis Myotis lucifugus, northern myotis Myotis septentrionalis and tri-colored bat Perimyotis subflavus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xxiv + 93 pp. (www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm)).
References: 
H264
R230

Canada – Species at Risk Legal Status

SARA Status: 
Endangered
2014

References

Area of Occupancy

  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return
COSEWIC Status
  • COSEWIC (2012) Bat Emergency Pres Release. sent to S Carriere on 17/02/2012 copy in COSEWIC AGM 2012 binder - H264 Return
  • COSEWIC (2013) COSEWIC Status report on the Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), and Tri-colored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus) in Canada. Copy in ENR - R230 Return

Ecozones

  • Fournier M.A. (2000) Bats in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut: a review. Undetermined In Preparation - BAT1 Return
  • van Zyll de Jong, C.G. (1985) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Bats. National Museums of Canada - National Museum of Natural Sciences Volume 2 - BAT2 Return

Habitat

  • van Zyll de Jong, C.G. (1985) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Bats. National Museums of Canada - National Museum of Natural Sciences Volume 2 - BAT2 Return
  • Lausen, Cori (2006) Bat survey of Nahanni National Park Reserve and surrounding areas, Northwest Territories.. Unpublished report prepared for Paks Canada and Candian Parks ad Wilderness Society, NWT Chapter Mammal binder - R160 Return

Historical Distribution

  • Fournier M.A. (2000) Bats in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut: a review. Undetermined In Preparation - BAT1 Return
  • van Zyll de Jong, C.G. (1985) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Bats. National Museums of Canada - National Museum of Natural Sciences Volume 2 - BAT2 Return

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Fournier M.A. (2000) Bats in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut: a review. Undetermined In Preparation - BAT1 Return
  • Wilson, Joanna (2010) E-mail to S Carriere: NWT Species 20112015 version 1.1, Tue 09/11/2010 14:11. Word document attached: bats general status ranks input Nov 2010.docx. copy in binder - H243 Return
  • COSEWIC (2013) COSEWIC Status report on the Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), and Tri-colored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus) in Canada. Copy in ENR - R230 Return
  • Wilson J. (2015) e-mail sent to S Carriere 21/04/2015 e-copy - H317 Return

Naming

  • Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. (2005) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press 3rd ed 2142 pages - R169 Return

NWT Known Subspecies

van Zyll de Jong, C.G. (1985) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Bats. National Museums of Canada - National Museum of Natural Sciences Volume 2 - BAT2 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Fournier M.A. (2000) Bats in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut: a review. Undetermined In Preparation - BAT1 Return
  • van Zyll de Jong, C.G. (1985) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Bats. National Museums of Canada - National Museum of Natural Sciences Volume 2 - BAT2 Return
  • Tate, Doug (2006) Re: Bats in the NWT e-mail to Tom Jung (Yukon) on 18/04/2006. copy in binder - H194 Return
  • Lausen, Cori (2006) Bat survey of Nahanni National Park Reserve and surrounding areas, Northwest Territories.. Unpublished report prepared for Paks Canada and Candian Parks ad Wilderness Society, NWT Chapter Mammal binder - R160 Return
  • Allaire, Danny (2007) E-mail called "bat pics" and later associated e-mails "batty". Original e-mail sent on Wed 19/09/2007 10:07. to N Larter, cced S Carriere; species confirmed by T Yung (YT) and Cori Lausen (AB) printed in binder - H255 Return
  • Wilson, JM, Reimer, JP, Allaire, D. and Lausen, CL (2014) Northwestern Naturalist 95:197-218 - A398 Return
  • Wilson J. (2015) e-mail sent to S Carriere 21/04/2015 e-copy - H317 Return

NWT SARC Assessment

  • SARC (2017) Species at Risk Committee. 2017. Species Status Report for Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Myotis, Northern Myotis, Long-eared Myotis, and Long-legged Myotis (Eptesicus fuscus, Myotis lucifugus, Myotis septentrionalis, Myotis evotis, and Myotis volans) in the. Species at Risk Committee, Yellowknife, NT. http://www.nwtspeciesatrisk.ca/sites/default/files/bat_status_report_and_assessment_final_apr617.pdf - R2017003 Return

Population Size

Fournier M.A. (2000) Bats in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut: a review. Undetermined In Preparation - BAT1 Return
,
van Zyll de Jong, C.G. (1985) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Bats. National Museums of Canada - National Museum of Natural Sciences Volume 2 - BAT2 Return
,
Wilson, JM, Reimer, JP, Allaire, D. and Lausen, CL (2014) Northwestern Naturalist 95:197-218 - A398 Return

Range Extent

  • Fournier M.A. (2000) Bats in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut: a review. Undetermined In Preparation - BAT1 Return
  • van Zyll de Jong, C.G. (1985) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Bats. National Museums of Canada - National Museum of Natural Sciences Volume 2 - BAT2 Return
  • SARC (2015) Draft version by Jesika Reimer and Tracey Gotthardt Alaska Natural Heritage Program e-copy - R282 Return

Short Term Trends

  • Fournier M.A. (1999) Personal Communication. - H108 Return

Taxonomy

  • van Zyll de Jong, C.G. (1985) Handbook of Canadian Mammals - Bats. National Museums of Canada - National Museum of Natural Sciences Volume 2 - BAT2 Return
  • Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. (2005) Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press 3rd ed 2142 pages - R169 Return

Threats

  • Fournier M.A. (2000) Bats in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut: a review. Undetermined In Preparation - BAT1 Return
  • Wilson, Joanna (2010) E-mail to S Carriere: NWT Species 20112015 version 1.1, Tue 09/11/2010 14:11. Word document attached: bats general status ranks input Nov 2010.docx. copy in binder - H243 Return
  • COSEWIC (2013) COSEWIC Status report on the Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), and Tri-colored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus) in Canada. Copy in ENR - R230 Return
  • Wilson J. (2015) e-mail sent to S Carriere 21/04/2015 e-copy - H317 Return