101.

Chinese Pipistrelle

Hypsugo pulveratus

French: Vespére de Chine / German: China-Zwergfledermaus / Spanish: Hypsugo de China

Taxonomy. Vesperugo pulveratus Peters in Swinhoe, 1871,

“Amoy,” Fukien, China.

The relationship with congeners is uncertain but the species seems to be closely related to either H. savii or H. petersi, based on limited genetic data. Specimens from Myanmar that were previously included in H. savii under the name austenianus are now considered to represent this species, although the specimens from Meghalaya that were included under the same name may represent either this species, H. savii, or a distinct species. Monotypic.

Distribution. C, SC & SE China, including Hainan and Matsu Is, C & E Myanmar, N Thailand, N & C Laos, and N & C Vietnam.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 38-2-49-4 mm, tail 32-38 mm, ear 10-2-14 mm, hindfoot 4-7-8-1 mm, forearm 32-37 mm; weight 4-3-5-8 g. Fur of the Chinese Pipistrelle is long, thick, and silky; dorsally dark brown (hairs nearly black, with golden-brown tips), ventrally slightly paler (hairs with dark brown base, and paler buffy-brown tips). Bare areas of ears, face, limbs, and membranes are dark blackish gray; ears are occasionally white on edges. Ears are narrowed and broadly rounded; tragus is short, wide, curved slightly forward, and rounded attip. Tail extends a little past uropatagium, and calcar has narrow Postcalcarial lobe. Baculum is 2:6-3-1 mm long, hasa straight shaft, is hollowed ventrally, has a simple, non-bifurcated base, and is bluntly pointed at tip. Skull has robust zygomatic arches with small dorsal process on each jugal bone; basioccipital area has well-defined central ridge between the two cochlea; basioccipital pits are practically absent. I’ is subequal in height and crown area to second cusp of I?; C! is unicuspid; P? is small and intruded; P, is about one-half the height of P» and lower molars are myotodont. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 44 and FN = 55 or 56.

Habitat. Limestone regions surrounded by semi-evergreen rainforest and disturbed forest remnants in Myanmar and Thailand, limestone areas in Vietnam, and dry deciduous forests in Myanmar. Recorded from sea level up to elevations of 1080 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. A female on Matsu Island gave birth to two young in July.

Activity patterns. The Chinese Pipistrelle roosts in caves during the day, and has also been reported roosting in houses.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Chinese Pipistrelle is widespread and does not seem to face any major threats at present.

Bibliography. Ao Lei et al. (2006), Bates et al. (2005), Changchien Linwen et al. (2013), Francis (2008a), Gorfol & Csorba (2018), Harada, Yenbutra, Tsuchiya & Takada (1985), Kruskop (2013a), Lim, L.S. et al. (2016), Smith & Xie Yan (2008), Zhang Weidao (1986).