Banana pipistrelle

The banana pipistrelle ( Pipistrellus nanus ) is an African species of Pipistrelle bats.

Appearance

As one of the smallest of all bats the banana pipistrelle measures 3.6 to 4 cm ( body length ), plus 2.4 to 4.1 cm tail. The fur is dark brown, the hair tips are yellow-brown or red-brown. Can nanulus of the otherwise very similar species Pipistrellus the banana pipistrelle be distinguished that the hair on the entire body are two-colored in nanulus but on the ventral side.

Dissemination

The banana pipistrelle living in all of Africa south of the Sahara, apart from deserts and semi-deserts. Also in Madagascar it is located. Habitats of the banana pipistrelle are rain forests, savannas and tree plantations.

Way of life

Like all members of its family is the banana pipistrelle a pure insectivores. Moths and beetles make up the bulk of the diet.

As sleeps but used the leaves of banana plants and birds of paradise, nowadays human building. Banana Pipistrelle bats stay alone, in small groups or in colonies of up to 150 individuals. Such groups usually consist of one male and several females. Occasionally, these groups were called harems, but they are not permanent and constantly change their composition.

System

For the banana pipistrelle are two scientific name: Pipistrellus nanus and Pipistrellus africanus. The International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature ( ICZN ) said in 2005 the name africanus invalid.

Occasionally, the banana pipistrelle place in the genus Pipistrellus Also referenced in genera Hypsugo or Neoromicia.

Seven subspecies of banana pipistrelle be distinguished:

• Pipistrellus nanus africanus: Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Pipistrellus nanus culex: Ghana, Benin, Togo, Nigeria
• Pipistrellus nanus fouriei: southern Angola, western Zambia, northern Namibia
• Pipistrellus nanus helios: South Sudan, Kenya, southern Somalia
• Pipistrellus nanus meesteri: Eastern Cape
• Pipistrellus nanus nanus: Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, northeastern South Africa
• Pipistrellus nanus stampflii: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast

The populations of countries not mentioned (for example, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Madagascar) have not been examined for their belonging to the subspecies.

Swell

Weblink

• Pipistrellus nanus in the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN 2013.2. Posted by: Hutson, AM, Racey, PA, Goodman, S. & Jacobs, D., 2008, Accessed on 28 December 2013.

• Myotis bats