Western Pipistrelle
| Western Pipistrelle | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Parastrellus Hoofer et al., 2006[2] |
| Species: | P. hesperus |
| Binomial name | |
| Parastrellus hesperus (H. Allen, 1864) |
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The canyon bat (Parastrellus hesperus), also known as the Western Pipistrelle,[3][4] is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family. 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]
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[edit] Characteristics
The Western Pipistrelle is characterised by its erratic and butterfly-like flight. It is known to be the smallest bat in the United States; an adult male averages a length of 66 mm, the female is larger at 73 mm. They weigh around 3–6 grams. Their flight speed has been measured as 5 miles per hour (8 km/h), which is low compared to other bats but consistent with their size.[5]
[edit] Distribution and habitat
The canyon bat is found in the western United States and Mexico, and is most common in deserts and dry brushland. They roost in small rock crevices.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Arroyo-Cabrales, J. & Ticul Alvarez Castaneda, S. (2008). "Pipistrellus hesperus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/17341. Retrieved 07 February 2010.
- ^ a b Hoofer, Steven R.; Ronald A. Van Den Bussche, Ivan Horáček (2006-10-01). "Generic Status of the American Pipistrelles (Vespertilionidae) with Description of a New Genus". Journal of Mammalogy 87 (5): 981–992. doi:10.1644/05-MAMM-A-425R1.1. ISSN 0022-2372. JSTOR 4094268.
- ^ Bat Conservation International. "Species Profiles: Parastrellus hesperus". http://www.batcon.org/index.php/all-about-bats/species-profiles.html?task=detail&species=1937&country=43&state=all&family=all&start=25. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
- ^ Aleshire, Peter (2011-04-01). Bats. Stackpole Books. p. 80. ISBN 9780811736435.
- ^ Hayward, Bruce; Russell Davis (1964-05-01). "Flight Speeds in Western Bats". Journal of Mammalogy 45 (2): 236–242. doi:10.2307/1376986. ISSN 0022-2372. JSTOR 1376986.
- ^ Dalquest, Walter Woelber; Eugene Raymond Hall (1950-01-20). "A Synopsis of the American Bats of the Genus Pipistrellus by Dalquest and Hall". 1. Lawrence, Kansas: University of Kansas. pp. 591–602. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/34532/34532-h/34532-h.htm.
[edit] External links
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