According to scientists, scientists on Wednesday announced the discovery of a new bat species in Africa that has a striking mixture of fiery orange and black colors.
The new Halloween-colored bat, Myotis nimbaensis, was found after scientists were on an expedition in 2018 to investigate the habitat of an endangered bat species in the West African country of Guinea, reports the New York Times.
“It was in a way a life goal that I never thought would happen,” said Dr. Jon Flanders, director of endangered species interventions at Bat Conservation International, a non-profit organization in Austin, Texas, said. “Every species is important, but you get attracted to the interesting ones, and this one is really spectacular.”
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However, it took about two years to determine that the Myotis nimbaensis is a new species. (The bat was named after the Nimba Mountains in Guinea where it was discovered.) The confirmation and details of the find were published Wednesday in the journal American Museum Novitates.
“When I first saw it, I thought it was a common species,” said Dr. Eric Bakwo Fils, a batting expert at the University of Maroua in Cameroon, said according to the newspaper.
Scientists said they found the pumpkin-orange bat mixed with the usual brown in their trap, believing it was just a strange color.
Dr. Flanders and Dr. Bakwo Fils tried to solve the mystery that night.
“The next morning I met Eric, and almost at the same time we said, ‘This is a new species,'” Dr. Flanders said.
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According to experts from the Washington Post, about 20 new bat species are found each year. Although, no one has the striking appearance of the Myotis nimbaensis.
“The color is just phenomenal,” Flanders told the newspaper. “His wings are black with these orange fingers. There are not many orange bats in the world. I do not tend to work with so many brightly colored bats. It is definitely an unusual one for me.”
After their discovery, the researchers – through genetic analysis – determined that Myotis nimbaensis differs at least five percent from its closest relatives.
The next step is to learn more about the species ecology so they can determine how they can best protect it, the Flanders said, according to the New York Times. Dr. Bakwo Fils added that he hopes the unique discovery and buzz around it will be a catalyst to better protect the bats.
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“This discovery is very important in terms of the biodiversity of West Africa’s bats, because even though bats are a very important part of our ecosystems, they rarely get attention,” he said.