Arabian barbastelle

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Arabian barbastelle
Vespertilio leucomelas.jpg
Status iucn3.1 LC.svg
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1] (includes darjelingensis, caspica, and pacifica)
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Barbastella
Species:
B. leucomelas
Binomial name
Barbastella leucomelas
(Cretzschmar, 1826)
Synonyms
  • Vespertilio leucomelas Cretzschmar, 1826

The Arabian barbastelle (Barbastella leucomelas), also known as the levant barbastelle, is a species of vesper bat. Its habitat is temperate forests and caves. It is threatened by habitat loss. It is found in Egypt (Sinai), Israel, and Eritrea. [2]

Contents

Taxonomy and etymology

It was described as a new species in 1826 by German scientist Philipp Jakob Cretzschmar. Cretzschmar initially placed it in the genus Vespertilio , with the binomial Vespertilio leucomelas. [3] Its species name "leucomelas" is from Ancient Greek " leukomélās " meaning "black and white."

Previously, it was also thought to have a wider range across much of Asia, and accordingly was named the "eastern barbastelle" or "Asian barbastelle". However, genetic studies indicated that the species was paraphyletic as previously defined, with B. leucomelas from Egypt (B. leucomelas sensu stricto) being the sister species to the Beijing barbastelle (B. beijingensis), with the clade containing both being sister to the western barbastelle (B. barbastellus). Populations of B. leucomelas from much of Asia formed a sister group to this whole clade. [4] Due to this, the eastern barbastelle (B. darjelingensis) and Caspian barbastelle (B. caspica) were both split as distinct species (with the Japanese barbastelle, B. pacifica, formerly classified within B. leucomelas and later B. darjelingensis, being described as a distinct species in 2019). The American Society of Mammalogists, IUCN Red List, and ITIS all follow the results of this study, although the IUCN Red List erroneously still lumps darjelingensis, caspica, and pacifica on its page for B. leucomelas. [1] [2] [5]

Range and habitat

Following taxonomic revisions, it is only known from a few scattered populations in North & East Africa and the Levant, on both sides of the Red Sea. It is known from northern Eritrea, southernmost Israel, and the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. It has been documented up to 2,500 m (8,200 ft) above sea level. [2] [1]

Description

Its forearm is 38–39 mm (1.5–1.5 in) long and its tail is 19–20 mm (0.75–0.79 in) long. Its ears are large and forward-facing. The tragi are large as well and very hairy. Its fur is blackish on its back but more brown on its ventral side. Its thumb is quite small, at 4 mm (0.16 in) long including the claw. [6]

Biology and ecology

During the day, it roosts in sheltered places such as old buildings. [6]

Status

Although classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, this status includes darjelingensis , caspica , and pacifica , which are now thought to be distinct species. According to the IUCN, the population size and trends of the North African population (leucomelas sensu stricto) are currently unknown. Activities associated with war may be a threat to this species, as they can disrupt its habitat as well as damage or disturb the caves and old buildings that this species roosts in. [1]

Related Research Articles

Vespertilionidae Family of microbats

Vespertilionidae is a family of microbats, of the order Chiroptera, flying, insect-eating mammals variously described as the common, vesper, or simple nosed bats. The vespertilionid family is the most diverse and widely distributed of bat families, specialised in many forms to occupy a range of habitats and ecological circumstances, and it is frequently observed or the subject of research. The facial features of the species are often simple, as they mainly rely on vocally emitted echolocation. The tails of the species are enclosed by the lower flight membranes between the legs. Over 300 species are distributed all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica. It owes its name to the genus Vespertilio, which takes its name from a word for bat, vespertilio, derived from the Latin term vesper meaning 'evening'; they are termed "evening bats" and were once referred to as "evening birds".

Schisandraceae Family of flowering plants

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The white-winged black tit is a passerine bird in the tit family Paridae. It is also known as the white-winged tit, dark-eyed black tit or northern black tit. The species was first described by Eduard Rüppell in 1840.

Western barbastelle Species of bat

The western barbastelle, also known as the barbastelle or barbastelle bat, is a European bat in the genus Barbastella. This species is found from Portugal to Azerbaijan and from Sweden to Canary Islands, where a sub-species was identified. It has a short nose, small eyes and wide ears. The conservation status of B. barbastellus is assessed as "Near Threatened", "Vulnerable", "Critically Endangered" or "Extinct" in various parts of its range.

Hodgsons bat Species of bat

Hodgson's bat, also called the copper-winged bat or black-and-orange myotis, is a species of vesper bat in the genus Myotis, the mouse-eared bats. Favouring mountain forests, it is found throughout Central, Southeast, and East Asia, from Afghanistan to Taiwan. It is about 5 centimetres (2.0 in) long and is distinguished from most other species of bat in this range by its yellowish colouration.

Wildlife of Azerbaijan consists of its flora and fauna and their natural habitats.

Desert long-eared bat Species of bat

The desert long-eared bat is a species of vesper bat found in North Africa and the Middle East.

The Ethiopian long-eared bat or Ethiopian big-eared bat is a recently described species of long-eared bat in the family Vespertilionidae.

Burmese whiskered myotis Species of bat

The Burmese whiskered myotis or Burmese whiskered bat is a species of vesper bat. It is found in China, India, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.

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Mount Sinai gecko Species of lizard

The Mount Sinai gecko is a species of lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is endemic to Egypt.

Geoffroys horseshoe bat Species of bat

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Vespertilioninae Subfamily of bats

The Vespertilioninae are a subfamily of vesper bats from the family Vespertilionidae.

<i>Barbastella</i> Genus of bats

Barbastella is a genus of vespertilionid bats. There are seven extant species in this genus and one only known from fossil remains.

The Beijing barbastelle, also known as the Beijing wide-eared bat, is a species of vesper bat endemic to Beijing Municipality, China. The species was discovered by Chinese zoology students in 2001 in caves of Fangshan District in southwestern Beijing and was identified as a distinct species by zoologists Zhang Shuyi, Gareth Jones, Zhang Jingshuo and Han Naijian in 2007.

The eastern barbastelle or Asian barbastelle is a species of vesper bat found throughout much of Asia, from Afghanistan to Taiwan.

The Khor Virap State Sanctuary is a wetland and protected area that was established within the administrative borders of Pokr Vedi village of the Ararat Province of Armenia, on the left bank of the Khor Virap Church of the Arax River and on 50.28 hectares of moist land of the right-hand side of Artashat, formerly the capital of Armenia.

The Oriental serotine is a species of bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is widespread and found throughout Asia.

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Monadjem, A.; Tsytsulina, K.; Hutson, A.M.; Benda, P.; Aulagnier, S.; Sharifi, M. (2017). "Barbastella leucomelas". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T85181182A22029016. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T85181182A22029016.en . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Explore the Database". www.mammaldiversity.org. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  3. Cretzschmar, P. J.; Rüppell, E. (1826). "Atlas zu der reise im nördlichen Afrika". 1826–1828. Frankfurt am Main :Gedruckt und in Commission bei Heinr. Ludw. Brönner,1826-1828: 73.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. Zhang, J. S.; Han, N. J.; Jones, G.; Lin, L. K.; Zhang, J. P.; Zhu, G. J.; Huang, D. W.; Zhang, S. Y. (December 2007). "A New Species of Barbastella (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from North China" (PDF). Journal of Mammalogy. 88 (6): 1393–1403. doi: 10.1644/07-MAMM-A-114R2.1 . JSTOR   25145034.
  5. "ITIS - Report: Barbastella leucomelas". www.itis.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  6. 1 2 Hoath, R. (2009). A field guide to the mammals of Egypt. American Univ in Cairo Press. pp. 64–65. ISBN   978-9774162541.