The New Zealand lesser short-tailed bat (Mystacina tuberculata) is a small-sized omnivorous mammal endemic to the islands of New Zealand. It is one of two extant and three overall terrestrial mammal species unique to New Zealand. The NZ lesser short-tailed bat's closest relative, M. robusta, was last seen in 1965 and is presumed extinct due to intense predation from ship rats introduced in the last few centuries. These bats are also commonly referred to as pekapeka, their Te Reo Māori name. Lesser short-tailed bats have unique adaptations that differentiate them from bats found in other parts of the world. For example, they are fully capable of moving along the ground to search for food, and the males sing to attract partners, taking turns to do so. Lesser short-tailed bats are a vulnerable species, so extensive conservation work and research are being done to prevent extinction. Taxonomy and evolution Taxonomic classification Mystacina tuberculata are members of the suborder Yangochiroptera and have recently been placed in the superfamily Noctillionoidea. They are members of the family Mystacinidae, which contains the single genus Mystacina. Within Mystacina are the two closely related species, M. tuberculata and M. robusta. As it is likely that M. robusta has gone extinct, M. tuberculata is the only confirmed extant species within the genus and the family. The placement of this species within taxonomies and phylogenetic trees was previously a hotly debated topic. The current standing within the superfamily Noctillionoidea is the result of DNA sequencing and analysis. In opposition to this, some scientists believe physical similarities indicate Mystacinidae falls under the superfamily Vespertilionoidea. The phylogenetic position of this species has had a variety of other suggested propositions, including within the Phyllostomidae (Leaf-nosed bats) or the Emballonuridae (sac-winged and sheath-tailed bats). While this species is considered to have subspecies, some sources refer to the species as one unit. The New Zealand Department of Conservation recognises three subspecies. These are divided by the region each inhabits; northern (Mystacina tuberculata aupourica), central (Mystacina tuberculata rhyacobi), and southern (Mystacina tuberculata tuberculata). Evolutionary history It has been suggested that the Mystacinidae originated on the Australian continent and that the superfamily Noctillionoidea originated on Gondwana. When Gondwana split into smaller continents, the superfamily members became geographically isolated. This isolation led to millions of years of unique evolutionary history for each family. It has been estimated that Mystacinidae first became a distinct family between 68-35 million