An artist's impression of a short-tailed New Zealand bat, similar to the new Mystacina nymphe species discovered in Otago. Photo: Gavin Mouldey / suppliedA palaeontologist studying fossil fragments in Central Otago has identified a previously unknown, but now extinct, bat. She says the bat has been named Mystacina nymphe - 'nymphe' after the Greek word for a forest spirit. The new nymphe species are related to the modern short-tailed bat, but much smaller, weighing between eight and 10 grams. But working at the St Bathans site in Otago, Hand has found the country once had at least five different species of short-tailed bat.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 21, 2026 22:24 UTC