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Identification of cryptic species often relies on invasive techniques such as comparison of cranial morphology or generation of DNA sequences. Myotis lucifugus and M. septentrionalis recently have been reported to occur near the Texas border in Oklahoma and Louisiana, respectively, and due to similarity of appearance, both species easily could be mistaken for M. austroriparius, a common inhabitant of East Texas. All three species co-occur across much of the southeastern United States. Myotis septentrionalis recently was listed under the Endangered Species Act as Endangered, and M. lucifugus has seen drastic reductions in abundance due to white-nose syndrome. Therefore, special care is needed when capturing any of these species due to the cryptic nature of their external morphology and the potential for misidentification in the field. The objective of this study was to determine if wing measurements obtained in the field could be used to differentiate among these three species. Measurements of 13 wing elements from 45 museum specimens were compared using univariate and multivariate statistics. Significant multivariate differences among species were detected, indicating that some wing characteristics may be effective for differentiation. These wing characteristics were compiled into a dichotomous key that researchers can use to easily identify species in the field. Using this technique, non-target species can be released quickly without harm, whereas individuals of species of interest can be confidently collected for scientific research. 

Introduction: Morphological abnormalities and their underlying causes are well documented and understood in humans and some domesticated animals but are less often reported within wild populations. This is likely because many abnormalities lead to the early death of individuals and typically are only encountered within large samples of specimens. Here, we report an adult female great fruit-eating bat Artibeus lituratus (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) collected from Paraguay with notable skull and post-cranial abnormalities. Methods: Specimens, including the atypical A. lituratus, were collected from eastern Paraguay and prepared as skin and skull museum voucher specimens and deposited in the Natural Science Research Laboratory of the Museum of Texas Tech University. Sequences of Cytochrome b (Cyt b) were generated and uploaded to BLAST to confirm species identification. We then quantitatively compared the atypical individual with 15 typical females collected from the same locality using 13 wing measurements and 13 skull measurements. Results: The Cyt b sequence of the atypical specimen was a 100 % match to A. lituratus. The atypical specimen was much smaller from the perspective of overall body size and wing morphology. The skull was also qualitatively different, much smaller and less robust than other female A. lituratus from this site. Mastoids and the sagittal crest were greatly reduced, and the frontal shield was absent in the atypical individual. Discussion and conclusions: We encourage reports of morphological abnormalities to be made as determining rates of abnormalities within populations may indicate their overall health. Key words: Morphological deformity; morphometrics; New World bats; skeletal deformity; skull morphology; wing morphology.