Taxonomy
The description of ''Miniopterus sororculus'' was published in 2007, in a revision of the specific status of specimens previously identified as '' Miniopterus fraterculus''. The holotype and paratypes were collected by the lead author of the study, Steven M. Goodman, at Province de Fianarantsoa, in a cave south of Ambatofinandrahana, with other specimens collected to the north and south of that location being referred to the new species. The etymology of the specific epithet ''sororculus'', little sister, was proposed as a reference to its former placement with the species ''M. fraterculus'', derived from Latin to mean little brother. The authors also note the allusion to a species a little smaller than the related andDescription
A medium-sized species of '' Miniopterus'', the forearm being around 42 millimetres. The brown fur colour is dark and rich in tone, with longer and slightly silky hair over the upper parts. The pelage is quite dense over the entire body, the colour is somewhat paler at the ventral side and some individuals exhibit a medium brown colour at the dorsal parts. The tragus of ''Miniopterus sororculus'' is distinguished from sister taxa by its relatively long and curved form, extending 6 to 8 mm from the thickened base to its tip. In addition to the patagium of the wings, species of ''Miniopterus'' possess aDistribution and habitat
The type location and other sites first identified in the revision were in the highland of the island, at elevations greater than 800–900 metres asl to a height of 2200 metres. Occasional observations have been made of ''Miniopterus sororculus'' below 40 metres, and some recorded sites are elevations above 50 m, but the greater part of the area of occupancy is over 950 metres. The lower site records in the south of the island may be colonies formed in the breeding season or by migration from higher elevations. Most daytime roosts were in rocky crevice or sometimes deep caves that were adjacent to previously forested areas cleared for introduced plantation species, the species is also recorded at open habitat at Ihosy, a dry savannah of the central west region of the Madasgascar. ''Miniopterus sororculus'' has also been found roosting in the attic of an occupied building. The species often occurs in the same habitat with ''Miniopterus majori'', and sometimes found cohabiting at their diurnal roosts.Conservation
The species is categorised as least concern by the IUCN red list, which notes their wide distribution across the Malgasy highlands and habitat coinciding with anthropogenic disturbance. The population trend is unknown.References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1825281 Miniopteridae Mammals of Madagascar Bats of Africa Mammals described in 2007 Endemic fauna of Madagascar