Mizoram has become the site of a major zoological discovery with researchers recording two bat species in India for the first time, highlighting the state’s significance as one of the country’s richest yet least-explored biodiversity hotspots.
The newly documented species are Glischropus bucephalus (Indo-Chinese thick-thumbed bat) and Myotis indochinensis (Indo-Chinese mouse-eared bat). Both were identified during field surveys conducted across Mizoram between 2023 and 2025.
The findings have been published in the scientific journal Animal Taxonomy and Ecology by researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Shillong, in collaboration with scientists from other Indian institutions and the Hungarian Natural History Museum.
Researchers discovered Glischropus bucephalus at Chhiahtlang in Serchhip district. Until now, the species had only been reported from Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar. The latest discovery extends its known geographical range by nearly 670 kilometres westward from its previously recorded westernmost location in Myanmar.
The second species, Myotis indochinensis, was recorded at Reiek in Mamit district. Earlier known only from Vietnam, Laos and southern China, the discovery pushes its known distribution about 1,300 kilometres westward, marking one of the most significant range extensions reported for the species.
The researchers confirmed the identity of both bats through a combination of detailed morphological studies, molecular genetic analysis and echolocation recordings, enabling accurate distinction from closely related species.
Scientists say the discovery reinforces Mizoram’s ecological importance and highlights the need for further biodiversity exploration and conservation efforts in the region.
