Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
Although this species is common, and currently has no special conservation status, people should remain mindful that their activities could greatly reduce the western pipistrelle population, if steps are not taken to ensure that bat habitat is protected.
Like all bats, western pipstrelles are most vulnerable at their roost sites and therefore protection of these roost sites is the focus of most management. Since reopening abandoned or inactive mines can negatively affect bat colonies, it has been recommended that multi-seasonal surveys be conducted prior to allowing any renewed mining. These same issues should be considered when a mine is recommended for permanent closure. If bats are roosting in a mine scheduled for closure, installation of a bat gate is preferred method for preventing unauthorized human access while allowing the bats passage.
Human disturbance can be extremely detrimental to bat colonies, especially to non-volant young and hibernating adults, depending on the season and severity of the disturbance. Mines that are in close proximity to roads, towns, hiking trails or camp grounds are more susceptible to disturbance then those in remote areas with difficult access.
There is a need for greater assurance that roosts will remain undisturbed and that future (potential) roost sites will be left when managing for bats in pinyon-juniper habitat. Ideally, management should aim to sustain adequate food, water, and roost sites in close proximity to one another (Klingel, 2000).
Temperate North American bats are now threatened by a fungal disease called “white-nose syndrome.” This disease has devastated eastern North American bat populations at hibernation sites since 2007. The fungus, Geomyces destructans, grows best in cold, humid conditions that are typical of many bat hibernacula. The fungus grows on, and in some cases invades, the bodies of hibernating bats and seems to result in disturbance from hibernation, causing a debilitating loss of important metabolic resources and mass deaths. Mortality rates at some hibernation sites have been as high as 90%. While there are currently no reports of Parastrellus hesperus mortalities as a result of white-nose syndrome, the disease continues to expand its range in North America.
US Migratory Bird Act: no special status
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
See Reproduction.
Bats are known hosts of the causative virus for rabies and are known vectors of other zoonotic diseases.
Negative Impacts: causes or carries domestic animal disease
Bat guano is an important source of fertilizer and houses unique organisms that are useful in the production of waste detoxifying agents (Snow et al., 1993). Because this bat preys heavily on insects, it also helps to control insect pests.
Positive Impacts: produces fertilizer; controls pest population
Due to their high-energy requirements, western pipstrelles have a substantial impact on insect populations, potentially affecting a variety of insect-related ecological processes such as herbivory, pollination, and disease transmission (Klingel, 2000).
Western pipistrelles are insectivorous bats that feed on a variety of insects depending on the time of year. Prey items are located using echolocation. Stomach content analysis has shown that these bats typically feed on one type of insect at any one time. This suggests that they will find a swarm of some type of insect and feed upon it exclusively. Western pipistrelles forage from 2- 15 m above ground on small, swarming insects and consume about 20 % of their weight in insects per night (Klingel, 2000).
Insects eaten include: Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Homoptera, Tricoptera, Plecoptera, soft bodied insects are preferred.
Animal Foods: insects
Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore )
Western pipistrelles, Pipistrellus hesperus, occur from southern Washington to the southern portion of Mexico including the Baja peninsula. Stretching from the west coast of California, its range includes Arizona and New Mexico, spreading into western Texas and extreme western Oklahoma (Harris, 2001). These bats are also found as far north as Utah and southern Colorado in the eastern portions of their range (Klingel, 2000)
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
Western pipistrelles inhabit a variety of habitats, ranging from rocky canyons, cliffs, and outcroppings to creosote bush flats. They are the most abundant of North American bats that are found in deserts, but are found at higher elevations in arid brush lands, grasslands, and even some forests. Western pipistrelles spend their days roosting in rock crevices, beneath rocks, in burrows, mines, and buildings. It has been suggested that western pipistrelles use burrows made by kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp.) and other rodents (Barbour and Davis, 1969).
Western pipistrelles spend their winter hibernating in mines, caves, and rock crevices.
Water is a very important resource determining the distribution of this bat. Because of the high proportion of protein in their diet, the arid environment that they inhabit, and the subsequent high levels of evaporative water loss, western pipistrelles generally roost close to a water source.
Availability of maternity roost sites is an extremely important factor in successful bat reproduction (Cockrum and Cross, 1964).
Habitat Regions: temperate
Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; chaparral ; scrub forest
Other Habitat Features: urban ; suburban
Longevity of these bats has not been reported.
Western pipistrelles are small brown-gray bats with distinct black, leathery facial mask, ears, and patagium. Beneath, they are pale brown-gray. Western pipistrelles have a short, blunt, and slightly curved tragus. They have a dental formula of I 2/3, C 1/1, P 2/2, M 3/3 = 34.
The species is sexually dimorphic, with females being larger than males. Weight ranges from 3 to 6 grams. Males have a total length of 66 mm, tail length of 27 mm, foot length of 5 mm, forearm length of 28 mm, and a wingspan of 19 cm. Females have a total length of 73 mm, a tail length of 30 mm, a foot length of 5 mm, a forearm length of 28 mm, and a wingspan of 22 cm (Davis and Schmidly, 1994).
Range mass: 3 to 6 g.
Range length: 66 to 73 mm.
Range wingspan: 19 to 22 cm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Predation in this species has not been adequately described, but possible predators include owls and larger species of bats (Klingel 2001).
Known Predators:
The mating behavior of these bats has not been characterized.
Copulation and insemination first occur in the fall. Sperm may be retained within the female through the winter. If aroused from hibernation, the female may empty the sperm from the reproductive tract. However, males continue to produce sperm during the winter, and winter copulations may be essential to guarantee spring fertilization. Pregnant females are found in May and June (Harris, 2001).
Young are born in June and July, after a 40 day gestation period. There are usually two offspring, but sometimes females produce only one. Newborn bats weigh less than 1 gram, but grow quickly. They begin to fly and are hard to distinguish from adults by about 1 month of age (Harris, 2001). Weaning occurs around one month of age, when the young are difficult to distinguish from adults.
Breeding season: Breeding occurs in fall in year and continues through the winter.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 2.
Average number of offspring: 2.
Average gestation period: 40 days.
Average : 30 days.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); viviparous ; sperm-storing ; delayed fertilization
The young are altricial, but grow and develop quickly, becoming practically indistinguishable from adults by 1 month of age. Females care for the young and provide them with milk. Sometimes young are reared by a female who lives along, but more commonly they are reared in large maternal colonies (Harris, 2001).
Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care
Die Westliche Amerikanische Zwergfledermaus (Parastrellus hesperus[1], Syn.: Pipistrellus hesperus) ist eine Fledermausart, die im Westen Nordamerikas vorkommt.[2]
Mit einer Gesamtlänge von 68 bis 80 mm, einer Schwanzlänge von 23 bis 34 mm und einem Gewicht von 3 bis 6,5 g ist die Westliche Amerikanische Zwergfledermaus eine der kleinsten Fledermäuse Nordamerikas. Sie hat 27 bis 31 mm lange Unterarme, sowie 11 bis 13 mm lange Ohren. Das Fell hat auf der Oberseite eine blass gelbgraue Farbe, während die Unterseite etwas heller ist. Im Gegensatz dazu sind die Schnauze, die Ohren und die Flughaut schwarz oder dunkelgrau gefärbt. Die West-Pipistrelle hat 34 Zähne.[3]
Das Verbreitungsgebiet der Westlichen Amerikanische Zwergfledermaus liegt im Westen der USA, östlich bis nach Texas, sowie im Westen Mexikos, einschließlich der Halbinsel Niederkalifornien. Die Art bevorzugt felsige Regionen mit verstreuter Vegetation, Gebüschflächen und Grasländer. Sie benötigt jedoch Zugang zu Wasserstellen.[4]
Die Westliche Amerikanische Zwergfledermaus ruht in Felsspalten, in Bergwerksstollen, in Gebäuden sowie in verlassenen unterirdischen Erdhöhlen, die von anderen Tieren geschaffen wurden. In nördlichen Bereichen hält die Art in der kalten Jahreszeit Winterschlaf.[4] Es ist kein Wanderungsverhalten bekannt. Die Exemplare verlassen ihr Versteck meist schon vor der Dämmerung. Sie jagen verschiedene fliegende Insekten, wie Käfer, Fliegen, Nachtfalter oder kleinere Wespen. Es ist umstritten, ob sie die Echoortung zum Auffinden einzelner Beutetiere einsetzen. Während einer Studie wurde ein Exemplar beobachtet, das bei der Jagd durch einen Insektenschwarm flog.[3] Laut den wenigen vorhandenen Untersuchungen besteht ein Wurf aus zwei Jungtieren.[3] Weibchen bilden vor der Geburt eigene Kolonien, die von Männchen getrennt sind.[4]
Die Westliche Amerikanische Zwergfledermaus reagiert empfindlich auf Störungen am Ruheplatz. Der Gesamtbestand wird aufgrund des großen Verbreitungsgebiets als nicht gefährdet (Least Concern) gelistet.[4]
Die Westliche Amerikanische Zwergfledermaus (Parastrellus hesperus, Syn.: Pipistrellus hesperus) ist eine Fledermausart, die im Westen Nordamerikas vorkommt.
The canyon bat (Parastrellus hesperus), also known as the western pipistrelle,[4][5] is a species of vesper bat. It is found in Mexico and in the western United States.[1] The species has historically been placed in the genus Pipistrellus, but molecular evidence does not show any close relationship with that genus, and accordingly it was classified into its own genus, Parastrellus, in 2006.[2]
Parastrellus hesperus is the smallest bat in the United States.[6] It has a wingspan of 190–215 mm[6] and a body length of 62–80 mm.[7] On average, females are slightly larger than males of this species.[7] P. hesperus ranges in color from white to pale yellow to dark brown. These bats exhibit counter shading, being dark above and lighter colored below. Their faces, ears, feet, and flight membranes are usually very dark, almost black. The pelage is 3–4 mm long and is full and soft. The bases of all the hairs are black with the distal portions fading to lighter shades. The wings of P. hesperus are hairless except for the lower third of the interfemoral membrane; the toes also have a light sprinkling of fine hairs.[7] The wings are short and broad, giving P. hesperus a low-aspect wing which allows it to fly at speeds as low as 5 miles per hour[8] . P. hesperus has a short, broad head and short ears with a small, club-shaped tragus.[6][7]
It weighs 3–6 grams (0.10 – 0.21 oz.) [9]
P. hesperus is found in the deserts and lowlands of the western United States and Mexico. While it is most commonly found in the deserts of the southwestern U.S., P. hesperus occupies a range extending north to the state of Washington and south to the Mexican states of Michoacan and Hidalgo. An isolated population has been found in north-central Texas and Oklahoma. These bats prefer the lowlands and are usually the most common bats found below an elevation of 5,000 feet within their range.[6]
During the day, rock crevices serve as the preferred roosting sites for P. hesperus, although some bats have been found roosting in crevices inside mines. The bats may also be found in buildings, under rocks, and in dense growths of sedge. These roosting sites are much less frequently used than the preferred rocky crevices.[6] Due to their small size, P. hesperus are vulnerable to dehydration and desiccation. Bats of this species inhabiting barren desert areas devoid of trees and rocky outcroppings must find an appropriately sheltered roost in which to spend the daylight hours or risk death. One hypothesis is that P. hesperus spends the day in kangaroo rat burrows, but no evidence currently exists to support this.[6] In some areas, the bats may roost in the piles of rocks used to anchor the soil along the bases of highway and railroad embankments.
Parastrellus hesperus is commonly the first bat out in the evening and the last bat to be seen after sunrise. These bats are most active in the hours immediately following sunset and preceding sunrise and are usually not active during the overnight hours. On a few occasions, P. hesperus has been observed in flight during the late morning hours in full sunlight.[7]
P. hesperus is an insectivorous bat. As such, their flight is erratic and fluttery. Their low-aspect wings give these bats increased maneuverability, an important characteristic when hunting flying insects.[6]
P. hesperus will enter periods of hibernation when the weather grows cold or food supplies diminish. However, both male and female members of this species will sometimes emerge during the winter months to hunt, though not in the numbers commonly observed during warmer times of the year.[10] P. hesperus hibernates in mines, caves, and rocky crevices. These bats are not known to hibernate in large groups and are usually found singly.[6]
Females of P. hesperus give birth to their young in June. These bats usually have two young, but may produce only one young per mating.[6][7] In keeping with their mostly solitary nature, females raise their young alone or in small maternity colonies of no more than a dozen bats.[6] Young are typically capable of flight within 2–3 weeks of birth.[6]
The canyon bat (Parastrellus hesperus), also known as the western pipistrelle, is a species of vesper bat. It is found in Mexico and in the western United States. The species has historically been placed in the genus Pipistrellus, but molecular evidence does not show any close relationship with that genus, and accordingly it was classified into its own genus, Parastrellus, in 2006.
Parastrellus hesperus es una especie de murciélago de la familia Vespertilionidae. Es la única especie del género Parastrellus.
Se encuentra en los Estados Unidos y México.
Parastrellus hesperus es una especie de murciélago de la familia Vespertilionidae. Es la única especie del género Parastrellus.
Pipistrellus hesperus Pipistrellus generoko animalia da. Chiropteraren barruko Vespertilioninae azpifamilia eta Vespertilionidae familian sailkatuta dago
Pipistrellus hesperus Pipistrellus generoko animalia da. Chiropteraren barruko Vespertilioninae azpifamilia eta Vespertilionidae familian sailkatuta dago
Pipistrellus hesperus est une espèce de chauves-souris de la famille des Vespertilionidae.
Selon MSW :
Pipistrellus hesperus est une espèce de chauves-souris de la famille des Vespertilionidae.
Parastrellus hesperus (H. Allen, 1864) è un pipistrello della famiglia dei Vespertilionidi, unica specie del genere Parastrellus (Hoofer, Van Den Bussche & Horacek, 2006), diffuso nell'America settentrionale.[1][2]
Pipistrello di piccole dimensioni, con la lunghezza totale tra 60 e 86 mm, la lunghezza dell'avambraccio tra 27,8 e 34,1 mm, la lunghezza della tibia tra 10,7 e 13,5 mm e un peso fino a 6 g.[3]
Il cranio è largo e relativamente basso, con la scatola cranica piccola e allo stesso livello del rostro. La zona inter-orbitale è leggermente affossata. L'incisivo superiore interno ha una sola cuspide, mentre quelli più esterni sono bicuspidati.
Sono caratterizzati dalla seguente formula dentaria:
3 2 1 2 2 1 2 3 3 2 1 3 3 1 2 3 Totale: 34 1.Incisivi; 2.Canini; 3.Premolari; 4.Molari;Le parti dorsali variano dal grigio fumo al bruno-giallastro, mentre quelle ventrali sono grigio-brunastre chiare. Il muso, le membrane e le orecchie sono nere. Queste ultime sono corte e rotonde. Il trago è corto, affusolato e leggermente curvato in avanti. Le membrane alari sono attaccate posteriormente alla base delle dita dei piedi. La coda è lunga e inclusa completamente nell'ampio uropatagio, il quale è finemente ricoperto di peli per il primo terzo. Il calcar è carenato. Il cariotipo è 2n=28 FN=46.
Si rifugia singolarmente o in piccoli gruppi fino a 12 individui nei crepacci rocciosi, sotto le rocce, in burroni, miniere ed edifici . Durante l'inverno entra in ibernazione all'interno di miniere, grotte e crepacci. L'attività predatoria inizia nelle prime ore della sera, molto prima di tutte le altre specie di pipistrelli nordamericani. Il volo è molto lento.
Si nutre di insetti come emitteri, imenotteri, lepidotteri, ditteri, coleotteri, omotteri, tricotteri e plecotteri catturati a 2-15 metri dal suolo. Consuma circa il 20% del suo peso in prede per notte.
Il periodo riproduttivo cade alla fine dell'anno, per protrarsi durante tutto l'inverno. Le femmine danno alla luce 1-2 piccoli alla volta dopo una gestazione di 40 giorni. Solitamente le nascite avvengono in giugno e luglio, dopo che le femmine hanno trattenuto lo sperma per tutta la primavera. Vengono svezzati dopo 30 giorni dalla nascita.
Questa specie è diffusa negli Stati Uniti d'America, dallo stato di Washington all'Oklahoma sud-occidentale e in Messico dalla Bassa California fino agli stati di Hidalgo e Guerrero.
Vive nei deserti, boscaglie aride, prati e anche foreste. Predilige canyon, scarpate e ammassi rocciosi.
Sono state riconosciute 2 sottospecie:
La IUCN Red List, considerato il vasto areale, la popolazione presumibilmente numerosa e la presenza in diverse aree protette, classifica P.hesperus come specie a rischio minimo (LC).[1]
Parastrellus hesperus (H. Allen, 1864) è un pipistrello della famiglia dei Vespertilionidi, unica specie del genere Parastrellus (Hoofer, Van Den Bussche & Horacek, 2006), diffuso nell'America settentrionale.
Parastrellus hesperus é uma espécie de morcego da família Vespertilionidae. Pode ser encontrada nos Estados Unidos da América e México. É a única espécie do gênero Parastrellus.
Parastrellus hesperus é uma espécie de morcego da família Vespertilionidae. Pode ser encontrada nos Estados Unidos da América e México. É a única espécie do gênero Parastrellus.
서부집박쥐 또는 협곡박쥐(Parastrellus hesperus)는 애기박쥐과에 속하는 박쥐의 일종이다.[3][4] 멕시코와 미국 서부에서 발견된다.[1] 역사적으로 집박쥐속(Pipistrellus)에 포함시켜 분류했지만, 분자생물학적 증거에 의해 집박쥐속의 종과 근연 관계가 없음이 밝혀져 2006년 이후 서부집박쥐속(Parastrellus)의 유일종으로 분류하고 있다.[2]
서부집박쥐는 미국에 서식하는 가장 작은 박쥐이다.[5] 날개 폭은 190~215mm이고,[5] 몸길이는 62~80mm이다.[6] 암컷이 평균적으로 수컷보다 약간 크다.[6] 흰색부터 연한 노랑과 진한 갈색까지 띤다.
다음은 애기박쥐아과의 계통 분류이다.[7]
애기박쥐아과 흰배박쥐족 문둥이박쥐족 저녁박쥐족 애기박쥐족