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We present a genome assembly from an individual male Pipistrellus pygmaeus (the Soprano Pipistrelle; Chordata; Mammalia; Chiroptera; Vespertilionidae). The genome sequence is 1,895.1 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 23 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the X and Y sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.18 kilobases in length.

Cities or urban areas are the new types of landscapes that have rapidly developed in the Anthropocene and generally mimic mountains and rock habitats. Such areas attract different vertebrate species that naturally prefer rocky habitats, for example, bats, which are common animal inhabitants of the cities in the Northern Hemisphere. Here we review records of four bat species (Hypsugo savii, Plecotus austriacus, Pipistrellus nathusii and P. pygmaeus) inhabiting human settlements in Ukraine, encompassing the period from 2011 to 2022. Over the last 20 to 30 years, the winter range of P. nathusii has shifted 200-300 km north, and now covers all Black Sea coast steppe regions of continental Ukraine. The Pl. austiacus range most likely covers the whole territory of Ukraine. We documented the first factual records of H. savii in continental Ukraine and the first winter records of P. pygmaeus for the country. Our observations clearly demonstrate colonization of newly formed urban landscapes by bats species from different ecological groups. Therefore, bats, same as some other mammalian species, can be considered beneficiaries of urbanization and urban heat islands.

The Soprano pipistrelle bat, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, is a common species in large parts of Sweden. Many of its natural habitats are near human habitations. This creates opportunities for ticks infesting these bats to encounter humans and possibly transmit zoonotic pathogens by tick bites. The bats are often infested with Carios vespertilionis, a tick species that, in addition to bats, has been recorded to bite humans on occasion. This study aimed to investigate if C. vespertilionis acts as a reservoir for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Tick-borne encephalitis virus, and species of Babesia and Rickettsia and to improve currently used conventional PCR protocols for molecular species determination of Rickettsia spp. Ninety-two C. vespertilionis ticks were collected from underneath a bat-box harbouring P. pygmaeus. Pathogen-specific PCR assays showed that 58.4% were positive for Rickettsia spp. and negative for the other pathogens analysed. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the species belong to R. parkeri, R. conorii, R. slovaca, R. sibirica subsp. mongolotimonae, R. rickettsii, and a hitherto uncultured Rickettsia sp. Several of these species are considered pathogenic to humans. Given the ecology and behaviour of C. vespertilionis, it may be a vector of these rickettsiae among bats and occasionally humans. To determine the Rickettsia species with certainty, and to determine if C. vespertilionis may be a reservoir and vector of the Rickettsia spp., further studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological connectivity across landscapes is vital for the maintenance of biodiversity and the processes that enable life on earth. Despite this, environmental planning decisions are usually made at the scale of individual projects, failing to account for landscape-scale impacts. Incorporating habitat connectivity analysis in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) could provide an opportunity to address this gap. We present a novel approach to model habitat connectivity in an EIA undertaken for the Heathrow Third Runway Expansion Project, a proposed development in south-east England. Drawing on field data, remote sensing, and species-specific literature reviews, a circuit theory approach was used to assess functional connectivity across the project landscape for grass snakes Natrix helvetica and soprano pipistrelles Pipistrellus pygmaeus. Results indicated key areas for species movement and potential 'pinch-points' vulnerable to development impacts. We discuss lessons learnt, potential applications to inform impact assessment, mitigation design, and biodiversity net gain approaches, and further work required to mainstream connectivity analyses in EIA and decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated a search for reservoirs and species potentially involved in back and forth transmission. Studies have postulated bats as one of the key reservoirs of coronaviruses (CoVs), and different CoVs have been detected in bats. So far, CoVs have not been found in bats in Sweden and we therefore tested whether they carry CoVs. In summer 2020, we sampled a total of 77 adult bats comprising 74 Myotis daubentonii, 2 Pipistrellus pygmaeus, and 1 M. mystacinus bats in southern Sweden. Blood, saliva and feces were sampled, processed and subjected to a virus next-generation sequencing target enrichment protocol. An Alphacoronavirus was detected and sequenced from feces of a M. daubentonii adult female bat. Phylogenetic analysis of the almost complete virus genome revealed a close relationship with Finnish and Danish strains. This was the first finding of a CoV in bats in Sweden, and bats may play a role in the transmission cycle of CoVs in Sweden. Focused and targeted surveillance of CoVs in bats is warranted, with consideration of potential conflicts between public health and nature conservation required as many bat species in Europe are threatened and protected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the hunting habitat and activity patterns of the soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus in relation to insect densities and light conditions during summer at 62°N in western Norway. Here, the first soprano pipistrelles emerge at several thousand lux and are common in woodland at more than 1000 lux. In this study, bats tagged with transmitters emerged from their roosts on average one hour before sunset and were airborne for more than five hours each night. During the first hours they always hunted in woodland, but shifted to hunt above the fiord during the night. This shift occurred on average 2 h and 25 min after evening emergence and 1 h and 30 min after sunset. In addition to using radio telemetry, bat contacts over the fiord were counted using ultrasound detectors and car transects. Simultaneously, insects were collected using suction traps and light levels were measured. There was a highly significant effect of light intensity on the number of bats hunting along the fiord. Predictions based on a second order polynomial generalised linear model (GLM) shows that soprano pipistrelles will start to hunt above the fiord when light levels drop below approximately 25 lux. It also suggests a slight reduction of insects as bat numbers increase along the shoreline. The GLM model explains approximately 92% of the variation in the dataset. Ultrasound recordings show that soprano pipistrelles attack far more prey per effort near the shores compared to areas further away. The results found in this study strongly suggest that habitat selection is a trade-off between food energy intake and other factors, e.g. predation risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Soprano pipistrelle bat, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, is a common species in large parts of Sweden. Many of its natural habitats are near human habitations. This creates opportunities for ticks infesting these bats to encounter humans and possibly transmit zoonotic pathogens by tick bites. The bats are often infested with Carios vespertilionis, a tick species that, in addition to bats, has been recorded to bite humans on occasion. This study aimed to investigate if C. vespertilionis acts as a reservoir for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Tick-borne encephalitis virus, and species of Babesia and Rickettsia and to improve currently used conventional PCR protocols for molecular species determination of Rickettsia spp. Ninety-two C. vespertilionis ticks were collected from underneath a bat-box harbouring P. pygmaeus. Pathogen-specific PCR assays showed that 58.4% were positive for Rickettsia spp. and negative for the other pathogens analysed. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the species belong to R. parkeri, R. conorii, R. slovaca, R. sibirica subsp. mongolotimonae, R. rickettsii, and a hitherto uncultured Rickettsia sp. Several of these species are considered pathogenic to humans. Given the ecology and behaviour of C. vespertilionis, it may be a vector of these rickettsiae among bats and occasionally humans. To determine the Rickettsia species with certainty, and to determine if C. vespertilionis may be a reservoir and vector of the Rickettsia spp., further studies are needed.

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Background: Most temperate bats are regular hibernators in the winter. Knowledge about the length of their active season and how they adjust their nightly activity throughout the season, is critical to conservation. The characteristics of these are likely to vary with climate as well as latitude. This study investigated the flight activity of the soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus in Frafjord, a small valley in the south-western corner of Norway (58° 50′N 6° 18′E) with an oceanic climate. Results: Activity was recorded with an ultrasound recorder throughout April 2018 to June 2019 at one site, with supplemental recordings in March to June 2020, i.e., covering all months of the year. Recordings at other nearby sites were made in the summers (June–August) of 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020, as well as some of the last days in December 2019 to the first days of January 2020. Overall, soprano pipistrelles were recorded flying in all months of the year, but very few in December–March. Regular activity was recorded from late April or early May until late October, and some recordings were also made in November. The highest numbers of recordings were made in August and September. Social calls, i.e. male song flights, were recorded from April to November, with the vast majority in August and September. Nearly all recordings were made between sunset and sunrise. Conclusions: The soprano pipistrelle in this region showed regular activity through 6–7 months of the year. It adjusted its activity to the changing night length throughout the year, closely following sunset and sunrise. It was rarely recorded flying before sunset and almost never after sunrise. Most activity was recorded in the middle of the night, and social calls also followed this trend closely. Harems in late summer and autumn were confirmed in a bat box, which was also used for winter hibernation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration routes of bats remain largely unknown, as previous orientation studies have been challenging even with newly developed techniques in tracking, genetic and stable isotope studies. However, a lack of knowledge about migrations poses problems for species conservation, especially in newly described species for which ecological information is not yet available. Here, we aimed to test flight orientation behaviour in the Soprano pipistrelle, Pipistrellus pygmaeus. This species has been described only 22 years ago but is now known to have a wide geographic distribution in Europe, yet virtually no information exists about seasonal movements of P. pygmaeus. In large parts of the continent, seasonal occurrence of P. pygmaeus matches with that of long‐distance migratory Nathusius' bats (Pipistrellus nathusii). To shed light on the migratory behaviour of both species, we investigated their orientation decisions at the Latvian Baltic Sea coast which is well‐known for summer bat migration along a north‐south axis. We developed an arena‐based assay designed to measure orientation of takeoffs. The arena was installed in the natural flight path of P. nathusii and P. pygmaeus, and after takeoff, bats chose the direction freely. We detected bearing fidelity between takeoff and departure flights, suggesting that bats used cues within the arena, putatively geomagnetic information, which allowed them to set a course prior to takeoff. Furthermore, our results show that P. pygmaeus orientates in a southerly, seasonally appropriate direction, similar to P. nathusii during ongoing migration. Therefore, our findings are consistent with true migratory behaviour of P. pygmaeus in the northern part of its range. Predicting flight directions of bats based on takeoff direction offers a simple test for orientation studies, and could further be used to test senses of bats under varying treatments, thereby facilitating a comparison of navigational skills across taxa, e.g., bats and birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributions of Daubenton's bat (Myotis daubentonii), common pipistrelle, (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), and soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) were investigated along and altitudinal gradient of the Lledr River, Conwy, North Wales, and presence assessed in relation to the water surface condition, presence/absence of bank‐side trees, and elevation. Ultrasound recordings of bats made on timed transects in summer 1999 were used to quantify habitat usage. All species significantly preferred smooth water sections of the river with trees on either one or both banks; P. pygmaeus also preferred smooth water with no trees. Bats avoided rough and cluttered water areas, as rapids may generate high‐frequency echolocation‐interfering noise and cluttered areas present obstacles to flight. In lower river regions, detections of bats reflected the proportion of suitable habitat available. At higher elevations, sufficient habitat was available; however, bats were likely restricted due to other factors such as a less predictable food source. This study emphasizes the importance of riparian habitat, bank‐side trees, and smooth water as foraging habitat for bats in marginal upland areas until a certain elevation, beyond which bats in these areas likely cease to forage. These small‐scale altitudinal differences in habitat selection should be factored in when designing future bat distribution studies and taken into consideration by conservation planners when reviewing habitat requirements of these species in Welsh river valleys, and elsewhere within the United Kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bat tick Cariosvespertilionis has been reported from Sweden to occasionally feed on humans resulting in disease symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate C. vespertilionis as a potential vector and reservoir of Borrelia species. In 2015 and 2018 in south-central Sweden, C. vespertilionis ticks were collected from a wooden bat box harboring Soprano pipistrelle bats, Pipistrellus pygmaeus. In addition, one C. vespertilionis tick found inside a house in southern Sweden in 2019 was collected. Ticks were screened for Borrelia spp. using a genus-specific quantitative PCR assay. The Borrelia species of the positive specimens were determined by conventional PCR followed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. A total of 24% (22 of 92) of the analyzed C. vespertilionis ticks were Borrelia-positive. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the bacteria belong to the relapsing fever group of borreliae; some of them appear to be identical with Borrelia sp. CPB1, a spirochete only found twice before—in the United Kingdom and in France. Our results also indicate a temporal and spatial distribution of this Borrelia species. Since C. vespertilionis occasionally bites humans, and since it exhibits a high prevalence of Borrelia bacteria, it is possible that it presents a risk of human disease. Further studies are needed to characterize Borrelia sp. CPB1 to determine if it is human-pathogenic and to determine if C. vespertilionis is a vector and/or reservoir of this agent.

This study explores the hunting habitat and activity patterns of the soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus in relation to insect densities and light conditions during summer at 62°N in western Norway. Here, the first soprano pipistrelles emerge at several thousand lux and are common in woodland at more than 1000 lux. In this study, bats tagged with transmitters emerged from their roosts on average one hour before sunset and were airborne for more than five hours each night. During the first hours they always hunted in woodland, but shifted to hunt above the fiord during the night. This shift occurred on average 2 h and 25 min after evening emergence and 1 h and 30 min after sunset. In addition to using radio telemetry, bat contacts over the fiord were counted using ultrasound detectors and car transects. Simultaneously, insects were collected using suction traps and light levels were measured. There was a highly significant effect of light intensity on the number of bats hunting along the fiord. Predictions based on a second order polynomial generalised linear model (GLM) shows that soprano pipistrelles will start to hunt above the fiord when light levels drop below approximately 25 lux. It also suggests a slight reduction of insects as bat numbers increase along the shoreline. The GLM model explains approximately 92% of the variation in the dataset. Ultrasound recordings show that soprano pipistrelles attack far more prey per effort near the shores compared to areas further away. The results found in this study strongly suggest that habitat selection is a trade-off between food energy intake and other factors, e.g. predation risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing recognition that with sympathetic management, plantation forests may contain more biodiversity than previously thought. However, the extent to which they may support bat populations is contentious. Many studies have demonstrated active avoidance of coniferous plantations and attributed this to the lack of available roost sites and low invertebrate density. In contrast, other work, carried out in plantation dominated landscapes have shown that certain bat species are able to exploit these areas. However, the extent to which bats use plantations for roosting and foraging, or simply move through the plantation matrix to access more favourable sites is unclear. We radio tracked female Pipistrellus pygmaeus over two summers to establish the extent to which individual bats use Sitka Spruce plantations in southern Scotland for foraging and roosting and assess the implications for felling operations on bats. Maternity roosts identified (n = 17) were in all in buildings and most were large (> 500 individuals). We found no evidence of bats roosting in mature Sitka Spruce crop trees, although several bats used roosts in old or dead beech and oak trees as an alternative to their main maternity roost. Home ranges were much larger (mean 9.6 ± 3.12 km2) than those reported from other studies (0.6–1.6 km2), and it is likely that roost availability rather than food abundance constrains P. pygmaeus use of Sitka Spruce plantations. At the landscape scale, most individuals selected coniferous habitats over other habitat types, covering large distances to access plantation areas, whilst at a local scale bats used forest tracks to access water, felled stands or patches of broadleaf cover within the plantation. Sitka Spruce plantations support a high abundance of Culicoides impuctatus, the Highland midge which may act as a reliable and plentiful food source for females during lactation, an energetically expensive period. The use of felled stands for foraging by bats has implications for forest management as wind turbines, following small-scale felling operations, are increasingly being installed in plantations; wind turbines have been associated with high bat mortality in some countries. Decisions about siting wind turbines in upland plantations should consider the likelihood of increased bat activity post felling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the spatial distribution of bats around lakes in valleys around 62° N in western Norway. Stationary ultrasound detectors were used to record ultrasound at various distances from the shores of lakes during the bats late pregnancy and lactation period. In this landscape, northern bat was the most commonly recorded species, followed by Myotis bats (pooled) and the soprano pipistrelle. None of the other European bat genera were present. There was a clear non-linear distribution pattern, with a steep increase in bat activity close to the shores. This is similar to what is found in fiords and thus could be a general pattern in landscapes with complex topography. Both climate and topography are factors likely to contribute to this pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En el periodo 1998-2007 se han efectuado diversos muestreos nocturnos de la fauna de los quirópteros de Navarra. Para ello se han utilizado redes finas, trampas de arpa y detectores de ultrasonidos. Además se han realizado análisis de ADN mitocondrial para confirmar algunas determinaciones de especies crípticas. En este trabajo se presentan datos de dos nuevas especies de quirópteros halladas en Navarra : Myotis alcathoe y Pipistrellus pygmaeus. La primera se ha encontrado en bosques húmeods y maduros (robledales y hayedos) del norte de la región, donde se ha comprobado su cría. P. pygmaeus se ha localizado disperso por buena parte de Navarra y ligado a zonas de ribera de los principales ríos ; cría en edificios y en grietas de árboles. También se menciona el hallazgo por vez primera, de una hembra albina de esta especie.

Conflict can arise when bats roost in human dwellings and householders are affected adversely by their presence. In the United Kingdom, the exclusion of bats from roosts can be licensed under exceptional circumstances to alleviate conflict, but the fate of excluded bats and the impact on their survival and reproduction is not well understood. Using radio-tracking, we investigated the effects of exclusion on the soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus, a species that commonly roosts in buildings in Europe. Exclusions were performed under licence at five roosts in England in spring, when females were in the early stages of pregnancy. Following exclusion, all bats found alternative roosts and colonies congregated in nearby known roosts that had been used by radio-tagged bats prior to exclusion. We found no difference in roosting behaviour before and after exclusion. Both the frequency of roost switching and the type of roosts used by bats remained unchanged. We also found no change in foraging behaviour. Bats foraged in the same areas, travelled similar distances to reach foraging areas and showed similar patterns of habitat selection before and after exclusion. Population modelling suggested that any reduction in survival following exclusion could have a negative impact on population growth, whereas a reduction in productivity would have less effect. While the number of soprano pipistrelle exclusions currently licensed each year is likely to have little effect on local populations, the cumulative impacts of licensing the destruction of large numbers of roosts may be of concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pest control through integrated pest management systems stands as a very convenient sustainable hazard-free alternative to pesticides, which are a growing global concern if overused. The ability of the soprano pipistrelle bat ( Pipistrellus pygmaeus ) to control the rice borer moth ( Chilo supressalis ), which constitutes a major pest of rice around the world, was studied in the Ebre Delta, Northeastern Iberia. Evidence was found on the ability of this particular bat species to control borer infestations: (a) the moth was consumed during at least the last two peaks of the moth activity, when most crop damage is done; (b) the activity of bats significantly increased with moth abundance in the rice paddies; (c) the pest levels have declined in the study area (Buda Island, Eastern Ebre Delta) after the deployment of bat boxes and their subsequent occupation by soprano pipistrelles. The value of the ecosystem service provided by bats was estimated at a minimum of 21€ per hectare, equivalent to the avoided pesticide expenditure alone. We suggest that this natural service can be enhanced by providing bat populations with artificial roosts in rice paddies were some key ecosystem features are present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the phylogeographic history of the sibling bat species Pipistrellus (P.) pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus. Topics discussed include the evidence that P. pygmaeus populations have a single eastern European origin, the factors behind the multiple population origins of P. pipistrellus and the possible existence of refugia and the events that brought on the contraction and recolonization of the geographic ranges of European animals.

Highlights: [•] Two UK bat species, Pipistrellus spp, were infected with Toxoplasma gondii (10.39%). [•] P. pipistrellus prevalence: 9.9% (±7.0%; n =71); P. pygmaeus: 16.67% (±29.8%; n =6). [•] Microsatellite genotyping revealed one major interbreeding group in P. pipistrellus. [•] No significant association was observed between T. gondii infection and genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roost ectoparasites are believed to have a negative impact on fitness of their hosts as birds or mammals. Previous studies were mostly focussed on the synchronization between reproduction cycles of ectoparasites and hosts living in infested roosts. However, to date, it has not been examined how fast ectoparasites colonize new, non-infested roosts and thus increasing the impact on the local populations of hosts. The parasite-host model was studied, including bat bugs Cimex pipistrelli and soprano pipistrelles Pipistrellus pygmaeus, where bat behaviour was observed which tended to reduce the parasite load in bat roosts. We investigated (1) whether bats change their roosting behaviour when we discontinued synchronization of their reproduction and the life cycle of the bat bugs and (2) how fast and which stages of bat bugs reoccupy cleaned roosts. In a 3-year field experiment, we removed all bat bugs from six bat boxes in each spring. Pipistrelles bred young in all non-infested boxes during these 3 years. In addition, 8 years of regular observations before this experiment indicate that bats avoided breeding in the same bat boxes at all. Bat bugs were found again in clean boxes in mid-May. However, their densities did not maximise before the beginning of June, before parturition. A re-appearance of bugs was observed after 21-56 days after the first bat visit. Adult bugs, mainly females, colonised cleaned boxes first though at the same time there were a lot of younger and smaller instars in non-manipulated roosts in the vicinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Altitude can profoundly influence the distribution of mammals, although the majority of studies of altitudinal impacts on distribution and abundance examine large-scale effects in mountainous environments. We investigate the potential for altitudinal effects on within-habitat distribution in common and soprano pipistrelle bats ( Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Pipistrellus pygmaeus) over relatively small scales on the Isle of Man, an island with a maximum altitude of 620 m above sea level. While we found no differences in habitat or altitude usage between the two species, both showed a sharp decline in activity with small increases in altitude within all habitats. This decline was steepest in deciduous and conifer woodland, and more gradual in arable land and heathland. Activity also declined more quickly with increasing altitude in the centre of habitats compared with the edge, and where water was present compared with where water was absent. We suggest that altitude may limit distribution independent of habitat, and thus is an important factor to take into account, in combination with habitat, when designing mammalian conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery that the most widespread bat in Europe comprises cryptic species, Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Schreber, 1774) (common pipistrelle) and Pipistrellus pygmaeus (Leach, 1825) (soprano pipistrelle), provides a great opportunity to look at the mechanism of species coexistence. Based on eight nuclear microsatellite loci ( n = 353), we observed similarities between the species in Poland with respect to heterozygosity, allelic richness, mean relatedness, and inbreeding coefficients. However, pronounced differences in migratory patterns (shown by assignment tests) suggest that P. pygmaeus is the more migratory species. The proportion of bats migrating between colonies differed significantly, with 17.1% and 41.8% individuals of P. pygmaeus and P. pipistrellus, respectively, confidently assigned to colonies of origin. Both species demonstrated a more migratory character in central Europe compared with the populations from the British Isles. Given the cryptic nature of the examined taxa, we also assessed whether they hybridize. Hybridization was confirmed by three methods-one based on genetic distance and two based on Bayesian approaches. The overall hybridization rate, depending on assumed threshold values, ranged from 1.7% to 13.3% for both species. We conclude that the population structuring in these pipistrelles is not homogenous across their range. Moreover, hybridization between them in continental Europe does occur and is not rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The Mediterranean Basin is a centre of radiation for numerous species groups. To increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying speciation and radiation events in this region, we assessed the phenotypic variability within the Pipistrellus pipistrellus-pygmaeus-hanaki species complex. Although bats form the second largest mammalian order, studies of insular evolution in this group are scarce. We approached this problem from a microevolutionary perspective and tested for the recurrence of the insular syndrome. Location The Mediterranean Basin, with a special focus on isolated populations from Corsica, the Maghreb, Cyprus, Cyrenaica and Crete. Methods Phenotypic variability was assessed by cranial morphometrics using the coordinates of 41 3D landmarks and associated geometric-morphometric methods. We analysed 125 specimens representing all of the lineages in the species complex. Differences between taxa and between insular and continental populations in cranial size, shape, form and allometries were tested using analyses of variance and visualized using boxplots and canonical variate analysis. Relationships between molecular data from a previous study (cytochrome b sequences) and morphometric data were tested with co-inertia analyses (RV test) and multivariate regressions. Results The three species were relatively well differentiated in cranial size and shape, and each species showed a significant amount of inter-population variability. Comparisons of pairs of insular versus continental populations revealed heterogeneities in cranial patterns among island phenotypes, suggesting no recurrent insular syndrome. Molecular and phenotypic traits were correlated, except for molecular and lateral cranium shape. Main conclusions The Pipistrellus pipistrellus - pygmaeus - hanaki species complex exhibits phenotypic variability as a result of the fragmentation of its distribution (especially on islands), its phylogenetic and phylogeographic history and, most probably, other evolutionary factors that were not investigated in this study. We found no recurrent pattern of evolution on islands, indicating that site-specific factors play a prevailing role on Mediterranean islands. The correlation between molecular and phenotypic data is incomplete, suggesting that factors other than phylogenetic relationships, potentially connected with feeding ecology, have played a role in shaping cranial morphology in this species complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although forest fragmentation can greatly affect biodiversity, responses to landscape-scale measures of woodland configuration in Europe have been examined for only a limited range of taxa. Almost all European bat species utilise woodland, however little is known about how they are affected by the spatial arrangement of woodland patches. Here we quantify landscape structure surrounding 1129 roosts of six bat species and a corresponding number of control locations across the UK, to examine associations between roost location and landscape composition, woodland proximity and the size of the nearest broadleaved woodland patch. Analyses are performed at two spatial scales: within 1km of the roost and within a radius equivalent to the colony home-range (3–7km). For four species, models at the 1km scale were better able to predict roost occurrence than those at the home-range scale, although this difference was only significant for Pipistrellus pipistrellus. For all species roost location was positively associated with either the extent or proximity of broadleaved woodland, with the greatest effect of increasing woodland extent seen between 0% and 20% woodland cover. P. pipistrellus, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Eptesicus serotinus and Myotis nattereri all selected roosts closer to broadleaved woodland than expected by chance, with 90% of roosts located within 440m of broadleaved woodland. Roost location was not affected by the size of the nearest broadleaved patch (patches ranged from 0.06–2798ha±126SD). These findings suggest that the bat species assessed here will benefit from the creation of an extensive network of woodland patches, including small patches, in landscapes with little existing woodland cover. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents on the presence of pipistrelle bats, Pipistrellus and Hypsugo, in Sardinia, Italy. The study explores the variability of pipistrelles on the island, which is known for its comparatively high degree of endemism, including cryptic diversity. It examines the species occur on the region through developing Bayesian phylogenetic trees and minimum spanning networks and provide description on the affiliations of the evolutionary lineages. It identifies five pipistrelle lineages on the island, which include Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Pipistrellus pygmaeus, and Pipistrellus desertii. It also suggests a high pipistrelle diversity in the island compared to any other Mediterranean island.

Abstract: Climatic conditions such as temperature and seasonality are becoming increasingly harsh towards the latitudinal extreme of the distribution and may limit the occurrence of mammals through decreased food availability or accessibility. For nocturnal bats increasing day length in summer may also limit the range latitudinally. We investigated the effect of long term mean temperature, precipitation, altitude, water affinity, terrestrial habitat, and topography on the summer distribution of the soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus at its northern limit in western Norway (62°N, 06′E) in a fiord landscape. We recorded presence/absence of the species in 138 sites by means of ultrasound detectors (and an acoustic lure). A binary logistic regression analysis showed that temperature is significant in predicting occurrence of soprano pipistrelles, with no animals in areas of less than 13°C (long term mean July temperature). Further, the model suggests that the species prefers areas where steep mountains to the north shade out the sun before sunset and after sunrise. Here soprano pipistrelles can start hunting up to 2h earlier than in a flat landscape, thus spending more time on energy consumption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study on the olfactory discrimination between the two closely related cryptic species Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus. The researchers analyzed the level of disassortative mate choice based on olfactory signals. They only used and observed visibly sexually active males with reduced pigmentation of cauda epididymis accompanied by enlarged testes and distension of the epidydimis. They found that a mischoice of species-specific olfactory signals found in a small proportion of males could provide the opportunity for hybridization among the studied cryptic species and show incomplete behavioral pre-mating barrier.

The present study examines those features which promote bat feeding in agricultural riparian areas and the riparian habitat associations of individual species. Activity of Nathusius’ pipistrelle ( Pipistrellus nathusii), common pipistrelle ( Pipistrellus pipistrellus), soprano pipistrelle ( Pipistrellus pygmaeus), Leisler’s bat ( Nyctalus leisleri), and Myotis species ( Myotis sp.) were recorded, and their habitat associations both “between” and “within” riparian areas were analyzed. General feeding activity was associated with reduced agricultural intensity, riparian hedgerow provision, and habitat diversity. Significant habitat associations for P. pipistrellus were observed only within riparian areas. Myotis species and P. pygmaeus were significantly related to indices of landscape structure and riparian hedgerow across spatial scales. Myotis species were also related to lower levels of riffle flow at both scales of analysis. The importance of these variables changed significantly, however, between analysis scales. The multi-scale investigation of species–habitat associations demonstrated the necessity to consider habitat and landscape characteristics across spatial scales to derive appropriate conservation plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Bat activity and benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled at nine paired sites, upstream and downstream from sewage effluent discharges into Irish rivers. Bat activity was measured using broadband acoustic detectors and macroinvertebrates by three 30-s standard benthic kick samples per site. Biological indices of water quality were significantly lower downstream from sewage outfalls, relative to upstream. The soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) was significantly more active (as measured by bat passes per unit time) at downstream sites, while Daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentonii) was less active. These results contrast with those of a similar study in England, where P. pygmaeus were less active, and Myotis spp. were more active downstream from sewage outfalls. We suggest that P. pygmaeus were more active downstream in our study because of a preference for preying on small orthocladiinid Chironomidae (non-biting midges), which were significantly more abundant downstream. M. daubentonii may prefer Trichoptera (caddis fly), which were significantly more abundant upstream. Organic pollution may then affect bats, but its effect appears to be more complex than previously implied. Implications of changing nutrient levels in freshwaters for populations of M. daubentonii and P. pygmaeus may be different from what is currently suggested in the literature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a study which investigated the differences in skull morphology between two cryptic species of bat, Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus, from Great Britain. It analysed landmarks on the dorsal and ventral sides of the cranium, the upper jaw and the labial side of the mandible. Results showed that P. pipistrellus were larger than P. pygmaeus, particularly in the mandible size. Interspecific differences in shape were also visible in the mandible and were related to dietary differences between the species. In addition, the procedure for finding the missing landmarks had no impact on the within-group loss of variation.

This article deals with a study that examined roost switching and habitat selection among Pipistrellus pgymaeus females tagged in two nursery colonies. Southeastern Moravia, Czech Republic was the site chosen for this study. AR8000 handheld receivers and Yagi antennas were used to track the bats. Data was gathered from a total of 35 nights for 16 different female bats. The study adopted non-parametric tests in analyzing roosting and foraging activity data. Results of the study showed that the highest foraging activity occurred at the beginning of the night, while a significant increase in roosting activity occurred during the 2nd third. The study also found that bats preferred vegetation edges and water bodies over forests and open fields.

The extent of spatial partitioning in insectivorous bats, whose prey is patchily distributed and transient in nature, remains a contentious issue. The recent separation of a common Palaearctic bat, the pipistrelle, into Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Pipistrellus pygmaeus, which are morphologically similar and sympatric, provides an opportunity to examine this question. The present study used radio telemetry to address the spatial distribution and foraging characteristics of P. pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus in northeast Scotland, to test the hypothesis that coexistence between these species is facilitated through spatial segregation. We reveal large and significant differences in the spatial distribution and foraging characteristics of these two cryptic species. Individual P. pipistrellus home ranges were on average three times as large as that of P. pygmaeus, and they foraged for approximately an hour longer each night. Inter-specific spatial overlap was minimal (<5%) and core foraging areas of either species were essentially mutually exclusive despite the proximity of the two roosts. Inter-specific differences in range size were associated with the spatial dispersion of productive foraging sites within individual foraging ranges. P. pipistrellus foraging sites were highly dispersed, necessitating larger ranges. It is predicted that the spatial segregation revealed by the present study is a result of selection favouring the avoidance of competition in these species through differential habitat use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Wetlands with rice paddies are key habitats in the conservation of biodiversity in the Mediterranean Region and are potentially suitable habitats for foraging bats, since they provide food (insects) and drinking places; nevertheless, many wetlands lack natural roosting sites. A bat-box program designed to ascertain bat-box preferences was initiated in 1999 in the Ebro Delta (NE Spain), one of the most important wetlands in Europe. A total of 69 bat-boxes of two types (single and double compartment) were placed on three supports (trees, houses, and posts) facing east or west. Pipistrellus pygmaeus occupancy rates and the number of individuals per box were monitored on 16 occasions from July 2000 to February 2004. Bat-box preferences were only detected during the breeding season. Bat abundance was higher in east-facing boxes, in double-compartment boxes, and in boxes placed on posts and houses. Boxes on natural supports (trees) were avoided. Bat-box occupancy rates were higher during the breeding season (95.6%, spring–summer) due to the formation of maternity colonies. The number of individuals in bat-boxes during the breeding season increased as the study period progressed (from summer 2000 to summer 2003), suggesting a high degree of acceptance by maternity colonies of these alternative locations. Occupancy rates observed were the highest ever reported in bat-box scientific literature. This study highlights the role of bat-box programs as useful alternative management tools for the conservation of bat populations in highly productive wetland habitats where few natural roost sites are available. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) is a house-dwelling bat, whose maternity colonies are often affected by exclusion from buildings in southern Europe. Bat boxes with a suitable thermal behaviour can provide alternative roosts. However, this is particularly difficult to achieve in hot climates, where boxes may overheat. We studied roost temperatures and roost thermal preferences of this bat in attics and roofs in a Mediterranean region. Roosts reached high temperatures, experienced great thermal fluctuations and had wide spatial thermal ranges. Bats preferred the warmest locations within roosts, indicating that they are a heat tolerant species. However, they avoided temperatures of 40 °C and above, suggesting that this is the upper limit of the species thermally neutral zone. The study of experimental sets of white, grey and black boxes demonstrated that the latter were the ones that most often reached the temperatures observed in roosts in buildings. They were also the ones occupied by larger numbers of bats. These results suggest that, even in hot Mediterranean climates, black boxes are the best option as alternative roosts for evicted colonies. However, on particularly hot days, bats left them, suggesting that black boxes could be improved by creating a wider thermal range. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]