Socotran pipistrelle
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Hypsugo
Species:
H. lanzai
Binomial name
Hypsugo lanzai
Benda, Al-Jumaily, Reiter, & Nasher, 2011
Socotran pipistrelle range

The Socotran pipistrelle or Lanza's pipistrelle (Hypsugo lanzai) is an endangered species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is endemic to Socotra Island in Yemen, and is the only mammal thought to be endemic to the island.[2][3][4]

Taxonomy

Previously thought to represent an insular population of the desert pipistrelle (H. ariel), a 2011 study found it to be morphologically distinct from other Hypsugo species, and described it as a distinct species. It is named after Italian biologist Benedetto Lanza.[5] It is recognized as a distinct species by the IUCN Red List, American Society of Mammalogists, and ITIS.[1][2][6]

Distribution and habitat

It is found only on Socotra, where it is found throughout at all altitudes. It inhabits sparse, dry xeric shrubland habitat.[1]

Description

It is the largest member of the arabicus-group of Hypsugo (also including H. ariel and the Arabian pipistrelle, H. arabicus). Its braincase is higher compared to the other species in the group. It is also much darker in coloration than other members of the group.[5]

Status

This species has a restricted range, being found only on a single island. It is thought to be threatened by climate change, primarily due to more frequent major tropical cyclones (with the 2015 and 2019 cyclone seasons being thought to have been especially damaging), as well as increasing aridification of its habitat. It is also thought to be threatened by increasing unplanned development in the area, which may have further knock-on effects on the already-stressed ecosystem.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Waldien, D.L. (2020). "Hypsugo lanzai". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T85202881A85202890. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T85202881A85202890.en. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Explore the Database". www.mammaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  3. ↑ "Endemic Fauna - SOCOTRA.CZ". www.socotra.cz. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  4. ↑ "Yemen Endemic Mammals Checklist". lntreasures.com. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  5. 1 2 Benda, Petr; Al-Jumaily, Masaa M.; Reiter, Antonìn; Nasher, Abdul Karim (2010-09-24). "Noteworthy records of bats from Yemen with description of a new species from Socotra". Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy. 22 (1). doi:10.4404/hystrix-22.1-4473. ISSN 0394-1914.
  6. ↑ "ITIS - Report: Hypsugo lanzai". www.itis.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
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