Least pipistrelle

The least pipistrelle (Pipistrellus tenuis) is a species of vesper bat.

Least pipistrelle

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Pipistrellus
Species:
P. tenuis
Binomial name
Pipistrellus tenuis
(Temminck, 1840)[2]

Distribution

The bat is native to South Asia, Southeast Asia, Maritime Southeast Asia, Malesia, and southwestern Oceania. It has been recorded from sea level to 769 metres (2,523 ft) in elevation.

Countries and islands it can be found in include: Laos, southeastern China and Hainan island, the Philippines, Borneo, Indonesia, East Timor, Malaysia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Description

Head and body length is 6–7 cm. Forearm is 3 cm. Wingspan is 18–24 cm. Weight 6-8g.

Females are larger than males. Dark brown to black above, and lighter below. Wing membrane, face, and ears are black. Wing membrane has no pale margins as that of Indian pipistrell. Muzzle short and broad. Nostrils small, rounded, and placed between facial swellings. Small ears with prominent tragus and antitragus. Fur is dense, short, silky, and covers entire body.

Subspecies

Subspecies include:[3]

  • Pipistrellus tenuis tenuis
  • Pipistrellus tenuis mimus
  • Pipistrellus tenuis murrayi
  • Pipistrellus tenuis nitidus
  • Pipistrellus tenuis ponceleti
  • Pipistrellus tenuis portensis
  • Pipistrellus tenuis sewelanus
  • Pipistrellus tenuis subulidens

References
  1. Srinivasulu, B.; Srinivasulu, C.; Kruskop, S.V. (2019). "Pipistrellus tenuis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T17368A22123869.
  2. Temminck C. J. (1840) Monogr. Mamm., 2: 229.
  3. Don E. Wilson & DeeAnn M. Reeder (editors). (2005). "Pipistrellus (Pipistrellus) tenuis". Mammal Species of the World. 3rd ed., Johns Hopkins University Press, 2,142 pp. accessed 11 Amarch 2009.

Further reading
  • John O. Whitaker J. O. Jr., Suthakar Issac S., Marimuthu G. & Kunz (1999). "Seasonal Variation in the Diet of the Indian Pygmy Bat, Pipistrellus mimus, in Southern India". Journal of Mammalogy 80(1): 60-70. JSTOR
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