| Least pipistrelle | |
|---|---|
) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Pipistrellus |
| Species: | P. tenuis |
| Binomial name | |
| Pipistrellus tenuis | |
The least pipistrelle (Pipistrellus tenuis) is a species of vesper bat.
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
- ^ Srinivasulu, B.; Srinivasulu, C.; Kruskop, S.V. (2019). "Pipistrellus tenuis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T17368A22123869.
- ^ Temminck C. J. (1840) Monogr. Mamm., 2: 229.
- ^ 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