Azores noctule bat
| Azores noctule bat | ||||||||||||
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Azores noctule ( Nyctalus azoreum ) |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Nyctalus azoreum | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1901 |
The Azores noctule bat ( Nyctalus azoreum ) is a species of bat . It occurs exclusively and therefore endemic to the Azores , where it was the only native mammal, along with another bat species of the genus Pipistrellus , probably the Madeira bat ( Pipistrellus maderensis ), until the arrival of humans .
The species looks very similar to its closest relative, the noctule bat ( Nyctalus leisleri ), but remains a bit smaller at just under 6 cm in length.
features
The Azores noctule reaches a body size of 51 to 57 millimeters. The coloration corresponds to that of the great noctule bat , the short fur is close-fitting and glossy rust-brown to dark brown all over the body. The wings of the species are narrow and long, the wingspan is about 300 mm.
distribution
The distribution of the Azores noctule is limited to the Azores, it is accordingly endemic to this group of islands. The bat is found on seven of the nine islands, although evidence on Flores is uncertain. There is no evidence for Corvo .
Way of life
The Azores noctule bat is diurnal to a greater extent than other bats, which may be due to the lack of birds of prey in its home. The main hunting time, however, is just before sunset until around 9 p.m. The hunt takes place both individually and in groups. Little is known about the other way of life of the species, however, like the other noctule bat it is likely to feed mainly on insects.
No data are available on migration or on the reproductive behavior of the Azores flying glider.
Systematics
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Phylogenetic system of the genus Nyctalus
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The Azores noctule bat is one of eight species of noctule bat ( Nyctalus ). As an endemic to the Azores, it is the sister species of the little noctule bat, although it was considered a subspecies for a long time.
The species probably evolved from a European population of the little noctule at the end of the Pleistocene . Both together represent the sister group of a taxon , which is formed from the great noctule bat ( Nyctalus noctula ), the giant noctule bat ( Nyctalus lasiopterus ) and the Asian species Nyctalus aviator . The species Nyctalus plancyi , which is also native to Asia, is the most basal species and thus the sister species of the rest of the noctule species. The noctule bat ( Nyctalus montanus ), which was previously also considered a subspecies of the noctule bat , and Nyctalus furvus were included in this study not considered.
Hazard and protection
Because of its small distribution area and the declining populations, the Azores noctule bat is listed as endangered ( vulnerable ) by the IUCN .
supporting documents
- ↑ a b c d P. Salgueiro, M. Ruedi, MM Coelho, JM Palmeirim: Genetic divergence and phylogeography in the genus Nyctalus (Mammalia, Chiroptera): implications for population history of the insular bat Nyctalus azoreum. Genetica 130 (2), 2007: pp. 169-181.
- ↑ Nyctalus azoreum in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2007. Posted by: Chiroptera Specialist Group, 2000. Retrieved on April 25 of 2008.
literature
- Wilfried Schober, Eckhard Grimmberger: The bats of Europe. Know Determine Protect. 2nd updated edition, Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH, Stuttgart 1998; Pp. 152-153, ISBN 3-440-07597-4
- P. Salgueiro, M. Ruedi, MM Coelho, JM Palmeirim: Genetic divergence and phylogeography in the genus Nyctalus (Mammalia, Chiroptera): implications for population history of the insular bat Nyctalus azoreum. Genetica 130 (2), 2007: pp. 169-181.