British Bats

Midge Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaleus/ mediterraneus

BAT STATS
Currently unknown.

DESCRIPTION- The Midge Bat is the most recently discovered species of European bat and had previously been thought of as belonging to the Common Pipistrelles. Recent research has found that in fact. The Midge Pipistrelle is a separate species in its own right. In the mid 1990s British scientists found that the echolocation calls of pipistrelles varied. They could be separated into those who had a 45 kHz 'tail' to their calls, and those which had a 55 kHz tail. Further molecular and genetic research confirmed the existence of 2 species where there had previously thought to be only one. The 55 kHz pipistrelles were recognised as a new species, and were given there name of the Midge Pipistrelle by German scientists because of their smaller size and differing feeding preferences, while the 45 pipistrelles remained as the Common Pipistrelle. Although the two species roost separately they essentially appear the same, they can only be differentiated by studying their echolocation calls in detail or by doing molecular tests. On average the Midge Pipistrelle is slightly smaller than the Common Pipistrelle and is more likely to have paler colouration. Male Midge Pipistrelles have an orange coloured penis, while the penis of the Common Pipistrelle is grey. Little is yet known about the Midge Pipistrelle but it probably occurs throughout Europe and has a similar lifestyle to the Common Pipistrelle. It seems to hunt along river ways, and waterways more than the Common Pipistrelle. Hopefully future research will reveal more about Europe's newest bat species.

 

© 2005 Mark Walker Email