During the 2000s, molecular studies have revealed that the widely distributed African, Eurasian, and Australian genus Miniopterus is much more species-rich than previously thought.

[1] In 2008 and 2009, however, Steven Goodman and colleagues presented evidence that the former concept of M. manavi in fact encompassed five morphologically and molecularly distinct species of small Miniopterus.

[3] The five recognized species of M. manavi-like bats are not each other's closest relatives, but apparently acquired their similarities through convergent evolution.

[6] The specific name combines the Ancient Greek brachys "short" and tragos "goat" and refers to the short tragus (a fleshy projection in the inner side of the outer ear), one of the main distinguishing features of the species; the name of this structure derives from the Greek tragos.

[7] Analysis of sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene suggested that M. brachytragos is most closely related to the clade of M. manavi and another Malagasy species, M. petersoni.

It ends in a pointed to slightly rounded tip, which is covered with hairs that are not readily visible to the unaided eye.

[9] In the skull, the rostrum (front part) is short relative to other small Malagasy Miniopterus and line-shaped.

On Nosy Komba, its habitat consists of dry forest mixed with introduced Mangifera indica (mango tree).

[16] Little is known of the ecology of M. brachytragos, but species of Miniopterus generally feed on insects, breed seasonally, and roost in large colonies in caves.