Arabian pipistrelle

The Arabian pipistrelle (Hypsugo arabicus) is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is found only in Oman.

Arabian pipistrelle
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Hypsugo
Species:
H. arabicus
Binomial name
Hypsugo arabicus
Harrison, 1979
Synonyms

Pipistrellus arabicus Harrison, 1979

Taxonomy and etymology

It was described as a new species in 1979 by David L. Harrison.[2] Its species name "arabicus" is Latin for "Arabic."

Description

It is a small species of bat with a total length of 66.7 mm (2.63 in) and a forearm length of 29 mm (1.1 in). Harrison described it as "one of the smallest Arabian bats."[2]

Biology and ecology

It is insectivorous, consuming Auchenorrhynchans, beetles, and hymenopterans.[3][4]

Range and habitat

The species is found in the Arabian Peninsula and Western Asia. It was first documented in Oman.[1] A 2002 study noted that the species had been documented in Iran.[3]

Conservation

As of 2019, it is evaluated as data deficient by the IUCN. Its population size and trends are unknown. While its extent of occurrence—spanning Iran to Oman—is relatively large, it is possible that its area of occurrence could be much smaller. In 1996, it had been categorized as vulnerable.[1]

References
  1. Srinivasulu, C.; Srinivasulu, B. (2019). "Pipistrellus arabicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T17328A22131108.
  2. Harrison, D. L. (1982). "Observations on some rare Arabian Pipistrellus (Chiropteraz Vespertilionidae) with special reference to the external male genitalia" (PDF). Bonner Zoologische Beitraege (2–4): 187.
  3. Benda, P.; Andreas, M.; Reiter, A. (2002). "Record of Hypsugo arabicus from Baluchistan, Iran, with remarks on its ecology and systematic status". Bat Research News (43): 75–76.
  4. Andreas, M. (2010). "Study of diet in Middle East and African bats". In Horacek, I; Uhrin, M (eds.). A Tribute to Bats. pp. 265–267.
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