Madeira pipistrelle

The Madeira - bat ( Pipistrellus maderensis ) is a European-North African bat species from the genus of dwarf bats. It is regarded as a very close relative of the white border bat; an actual separation of these two species is not yet precisely determined. The Madeira - bat comes out on the island of Madeira before on some Canary Islands and possibly in unsecured deposits in the Azores Islands.

The species differs from the common pipistrelle by the somewhat smaller size, this also applies even compared to the size of white border bats in continental areas. The coat is colored on top and bottom in about the same and is described as chocolate brown to red - brown and orange. The facial area, ears, and wing membranes are nearly black in color and thus show similarity to the common pipistrelle. Also similar are the echolocation, the lower end frequency is 42-47 kHz.

The species differentiation between Madeira bat and white edge bat is not finally resolved. There are in the population averages of differences in the size, coat color, and in the course of locating calls. In fact, locally specific categories of Madeira bats and white border of bats of the islands differ in each case more of continental white border bats as among themselves. Usually the species discrimination oriented as to whether the different groups can produce offspring with each other.

Nutrition

The Madeira - bat feeds, similar to dwarf and white edge bat of Diptera (eg mosquitoes ), moths and beetles. The hunt runs also similar to the other two types, either at a lower level in the free air space or in geographically restricted areas, such as among the bushes, the crowns of trees ( in the forest ) or in settlement areas, eg in the vicinity of street lamps.

System

The Madeira - bat belongs to the genus of Pipistrelle bats ( Pipistrellus ), which comprises about 35 species. In Europe, four other species that Nathusius' pipistrelle ( Pipistrellus nathusii ), the common pipistrelle ( Pipistrellus pipistrellus ), the white border bat ( Pipistrellus kuhlii ) and the soprano pipistrelle ( Pipistrellus pygmaeus ) live.

Threat

The Madeira - bat is a nature reserve. In Madeira and the Canary Islands, the species is widespread.

In 2008, the IUCN Red List of species is listed as endangered ( high risk ). Reasons for the small distribution area and the decline of populations due to the destruction of their habitat and the use of pesticides apply.