 It is distinguished from the type species, the lesser long-eared "Nyctophilus geoffroyi", by the more snub form of the snout and two rounded features behind the nasal ridge instead of the Y-shape indentation.The related species "Nyctophilus nebulosus" is nearest in appearance to "N. gouldi", a bat found beyond Australia in Nouméa.The eastern species "Nyctophilus bifax" is also similar, and these three taxa are distinguished by subtle differences in dentition and penile and cranial morphology.