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Juste J, Torrent L, Méndez-Rodríguez A, Howard K, García-Mudarra JL, Nogueras J, Ibáñez C. A new Pipistrelle bat from the oceanic Island of Príncipe (Western Central Africa). J Mammal 2023; 104:361-371. [PMID: 37032701 PMCID: PMC10075340 DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
We describe a population of pipistrelle-like bats from Príncipe Island (Gulf of Guinea, Western Central Africa) as a new species based on the molecular and morphological characteristics of six specimens collected more than 30 years ago. The description of this new species was not possible until the traditionally entangled systematics of the whole pipistrelle group was clarified in recent years with the inclusion of molecular techniques and adequate species sampling. In this new taxonomic framework, the new species was clearly included within the dark-winged group of the recently described genus Pseudoromicia. The pipistrelles from Príncipe Island present a moderately inflated skull in lateral view with inner upper incisors that are moderately bicuspids and a baculum distinctly long with expanded tips. Besides these morphological characters, the new bat species is distinguished by its dwarfism, being the smallest species recognized within the genus. The ecology and conservation status of this endemic island species are unknown and field studies are urgently needed to evaluate the situation and conservation threats to this new species in its natural habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Juste
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, C.S.I.C. , Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, 41092 Sevilla , Spain
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, CIBERESP , 28220 Madrid , Spain
| | - Laura Torrent
- CIBIO-InBIO, Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto , Campus de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão , Portugal
- Natural Sciences Museum of Granollers , Francesc Macià 51, 08401 Granollers , Spain
| | - Aline Méndez-Rodríguez
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana , Prol. Canal de Miramontes 3855, Coapa, Ex de San Juan de Dios, Tlalpan, 14387 Ciudad de México , México
| | - Kelli Howard
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, C.S.I.C. , Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, 41092 Sevilla , Spain
| | | | - Jesús Nogueras
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, C.S.I.C. , Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, 41092 Sevilla , Spain
| | - Carlos Ibáñez
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, C.S.I.C. , Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, 41092 Sevilla , Spain
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Abstract
Bat predation on birds is a very rare phenomenon in nature. Most documented reports of bird-eating bats refer to tropical bats that occasionally capture resting birds. Millions of small birds concentrate and cross over the world's temperate regions during migration, mainly at night, but no nocturnal predators are known to benefit from this enormous food resource. An analysis of 14,000 fecal pellets of the greater noctule bat (Nyctalus lasiopterus) reveals that this species captures and eats large numbers of migrating passerines, making it the only bat species so far known that regularly preys on birds. The echolocation characteristics and wing morphology of this species strongly suggest that it captures birds in flight.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ibáñez
- Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain.
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