The Keen's long-eared myotis is RED-listed due to its limited distribution, apparent rarity and the lack of knowledge about its basic biology. It is designated as VULNERABLE in Canada by COSEWIC.
Keen's long-eared myotis occurs only in the Pacific coastal region, where it is associated with low elevation coastal forests. Very little is known about the basic biology of this species. Over-winter behaviour is unknown but it is probable that it hibernates like the other species of long-eared myotis, however it may migrate short distances between its summer and winter ranges. The only known maternity colony (consisting of at least 70 individuals) is located among geothermally heated boulders on Hotspring Island, Queen Charlotte Islands. Tree cavities, loose bark, rock crevices and small caves are likely important as day and maternity roosts. The diet and foraging behaviour of this species is unknown, but based on other long-eared species, the diet probably consists of moths and other insects.
The North American distribution of Keen's long-eared myotis is restricted to the Pacific coast, and there are few locality records outside B.C. It occurs on Vancouver Island, the Queen Charlotte Islands and the mainland coast. There is one record of this species from Wrangell Island in south-eastern Alaska and several from western Washington.
COM: KIR, OUF, QCL, SKP, WQC, NWL
GED: LIM, NAL, FRL
CDF: CDFmm
CWH: CWHwh, CWHvh, CWHxm, CWHdm, CWHmm, CWHwm
CD, CH, CW, HL, RO
The structural stages used by Keen's long-eared myotis are not known, although use of old growth and mature stands (stage 6-7; age class 5-9) has been indicated.
Crevices in rocks and caves, in addition to tree cavities (decay class 2 and up) and loose bark (decay class 4 and up) are important natural roost sites and may be limiting in some parts of their range. The only known maternity colony is situated near geothermally heated rocks (associated with hot spring activity). Low elevation coastal forests and riparian areas are important for forage production.
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habitat relationship models for mammals. Vol. 5. In Wildlife habitat handbooks for the southern interior ecoprovince. A.P. Harcombe (ed.). B.C. Min. Environ. and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C.
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Thomas, D.W., and S.D. West. 1991. Forest age associations of bats in the southern
Washington Cascade and Oregon Coast Ranges. In Wildlife and vegetation of unmanaged Douglas-fir forests. L.F. Ruggiero, K.B. Aubry, A.B. Carey, and M.H. Huff (ed.). USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech. Rep., Portland, OR. PNW-GTR-285. pp. 295-303.
van Zyll de Jong, C.G. 1979. Distribution and systematic relationships of long-eared
myotis in western Canada. Can. J. Zool. 57:987-994.
_____. 1985. Handbook of Canadian mammals. 2. Bats. Nat. Mus. Nat. Sc., Ottawa, ON.
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taxonomy of Myotis keenii and Myotis evotis in British Columbia and the adjacent United States. Can. J. Zool. 72:1069-1078.
