49.

Eurasian Particolored Bat

Vespertilio murinus

French: Vespertilion bicolore / German: Zweifarbfledermaus / Spanish: Murciélago bicolor

Other common names: Particolored Bat

Taxonomy. Vespertilio murinus Linnaeus, 1758,

“Europa.” Restricted by H. J. Baagge in 2001 to probably near Uppsala, central Sweden.

The placement of Vespertilioamongst other members of the Vespertilioninae is uncertain with some genetic studies reporting the genus sister to what is recognized as Pipistrellini here and other reporting the genus sister to the rest of whatis Vespertilionini here. Further studies are needed to clarify the taxonomic position of the genus. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

V.m.murinusLinnaeus,1758—muchofEuropeandWAsiatoMongoliaandNWChina(XinjiangandGansu);alsoonerecordinSEArabia.

V. m. ussuriensis Wallin, 1969 — E Siberia, Russian Far East, NE China (Heilongjiang), NE North Korea, and Japan (Hokkaido, Rebun, N Honshu, and Hegura Is).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 48-64 mm, tail 37-44-5 mm, ear 14-15-6 mm, hindfoot 8: 4—10 mm, forearm 40-8-50-3 mm; weight 10-24 g. The Eurasian Particolored Batis characterized by a striking contrast between dorsal and ventral coloration; long fur is dark, always frosted with silver on dorsum and distinctly whitish, sometimes shadowed with yellowish or cream, on venter. Coloration is similar to that of Savi’s Pipistrelle ( Hypsugo savii), but the present species is much bulkier. Tragus is wide and short, resembling that of noctules ( Nyctalus spp.). This species has narrow wings (wingspan 270-310 mm) adapted to fast flight and foraging in semi-open spaces and clearings. Patagium is clearly dark or black and attached to the base of the toes. Unlike other sympatric species, females always have four nipples. Where visible, skin is dark. Compared to similar species, penisis thin, black, and long (7-8 mm). Ears are short and rounded. Dental formula for both species of Vespertiliois 12/3, C1/1,P 1/2, M 3/3 (x2) = 32. Skull is short and broad, with condylo-basal length 14-2-15-5 mm, maxillary tooth row 5-6-1 mm, zygomatic width 9-5-10-2 mm, and interorbital width 3-8-4-7 mm. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 38 and FN = 50.

Habitat. Semi-desert habitats, urban areas, agricultural lands, shrublands, and riparian habitats. Most foraging takes place in meadows and open agricultural areas, also above forests, or over water. In the southern part ofits distribution, the Eurasian Particolored Bat is mainly found in medium-high to high mountains. It has been recorded from sea level to 3400 m.

Food and Feeding. The Eurasian Particolored Bat feeds on midges, moths, and beetles usually 10-40 m aboveground or the vegetation surface, or around streetlamps, and usually in fast, agile flight. Diptera, aphids, and moths represent the most common items in its diet (60-80%), but other flying insects such as Coleoptera, Trichoptera, Nematocera, Hemiptera, and Neuroptera have also been reported as occasional food items. In Switzerland, males have been reported to hunt over water (mostly lakes) and human settlements while females hunt over open agricultural land and forests.

Breeding. In the north of its range, the species breeds in colonies of up to 50 individuals (exceptionally a few hundred), from May to August. Maternity colonies are usually found in buildings (including cellars, barns or roofs), and sometimes in hollow trees, rock crevices and bat boxes, in western and Central Europe. During this period, males can roost either individually or in large colonies of up to 300 individuals, sometimes far from the maternity colony. This species gives birth from end of May to July, usually with a couple of offspring per year (there are reports of three young per female). During autumn, the mating period, males are highly active and display using very obviousterritorial social calls while flying above the canopy or in sites surrounded by woodlands. Greatest recorded longevity for this speciesis 14-5 years.

Activity patterns. The Eurasian Particolored Bat is usually detected foraging late in the evening, with a straight,fast flight at high altitudes. In winter,it has been reported roosting in rock crevices, buildings, tree holes, and cellars. Foraging area has been calculated to be ¢. 80 km? for males, and c. 15 km? for females, usually reflecting distances of 2-20 km from the main roost. This species uses QCF calls with a frequency of maximum energy of 22-27 kHz. Pulses generally have a first FM component followed by a CF cue containing the peak frequency; this makes them difficult to identify, as echolocation strongly resembles that of Leisler’s Noctule ( Nyctalus leisleri), the Eurasian Serotine ( Eptesicus serotinus), and the Northern Serotine (FE. nilssonit). However, territorial calls are very distinctive, especially during the mating season.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Even though the Eurasian Particolored Bat is mostly sedentary, it is one of the few species that are known to migrate facultatively over long distances in Europe, with recorded movements up to 1780 km from Russia to France. Large nursery and male colonies are only reported for the south-western populations (e.g. Switzerland, Bavaria, and Austria). However, further south only males have been found so far. Hibernating bats are reported in buildings, cliffs, and castle ruins, but rarely in caves or mines. In winter, the species has been reported in small groups.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Eurasian Particolored Bat is a widespread species across Europe with an apparently large population. Although it seems not to be one of the most abundant species, it has a wide geographical distribution, and seems to be expanding in countries such as Denmark or Netherlands. Although no major threats are officially recognized forthis species, loss of habitat and roosts, as well as roost disturbance and mortality in wind farms (due to its high-altitude flight), might have major effects on its conservation.

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