Western American pipistrelle

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Western American pipistrelle
Western pipistrelle.jpg

Western American pipistrelle ( Parastrellus hesperus )

Systematics
Order : Bats (chiroptera)
Superfamily : Smooth-nosed (Vespertilionoidea)
Family : Smooth-nosed (Vespertilionidae)
Subfamily : True smooth-nosed (Vespertilioninae)
Genre : Parastrellus
Type : Western American pipistrelle
Scientific name of the  genus
Parastrellus
Hoofer, Van Den Bussche & Horáček, 2006
Scientific name of the  species
Parastrellus hesperus
( H. Allen , 1864)
Distribution of the two piped bat species in North America with the western American pipistrelle ( Parastrellus hesperus ) in pink

The western American pipistrelle ( Parastrellus hesperus , Syn . : Pipistrellus hesperus ) is a species of bat that occurs in western North America.

features

With a total length of 68 to 80 mm, a tail length of 23 to 34 mm and a weight of 3 to 6.5 g, the western American pipistrelle is one of the smallest bats in North America. It has 27 to 31 mm long forearms and 11 to 13 mm long ears. The fur is a pale yellow-gray color on top, while the underside is slightly lighter. In contrast, the muzzle, ears and flight skin are black or dark gray in color. The West Pipistrelle has 34 teeth.

distribution

The distribution area of ​​the western American pipistrelle is in the western USA , east to Texas , as well as in western Mexico , including the Baja California peninsula . The species prefers rocky regions with scattered vegetation, bushes and grasslands. However, it does require access to water points.

Way of life

The western American pipistrelle rests in crevices, in mine tunnels , in buildings and in abandoned underground burrows that were created by other animals. In northern areas, the species hibernates during the cold season . There is no known migration behavior. The specimens usually leave their hiding place before dusk. They hunt various flying insects such as beetles, flies, moths and smaller wasps. It is controversial whether they use echolocation to find individual prey. During a study, a specimen was observed that flew through a swarm of insects while hunting. According to the few studies available, a litter consists of two young animals. Before birth, females form their own colonies that are separate from males.

status

The western American pipistrelle is sensitive to disturbance in the resting place. The entire population is listed as Least Concern due to its large distribution area.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Hoofer, SR, Van Den Bussche, RA & Horáček, I. 2006. Generic Status of the American Pipistrelles (Vespertilionidae) with Description of a New Genus. Journal of Mammalogy 87 (5): 981-992. doi: 10.1644 / 05-MAMM-A-425R1.1 .
  2. ↑ Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Pipistrellus hesperus ).
  3. ↑ a b c B. J. Verts, Leslie N. Carraway (Ed.): Land Mammals of Oregon . University of California Press, 1998, ISBN 0-520-21199-5 , pp. 105-107 (English, Pipistrellus hesperus ).
  4. ↑ a b c d Pipistrellus hesperus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2008. Posted by: Arroyo-Cabrales, J. & Ticul Alvarez Castaneda, S., 2008. Accessed January 22, 2017th

Web links

Commons : Western pipistrelle bat ( Pipistrellus hesperus )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files