Hypsugo macrotis (Temminck, 1840)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Vespertilionidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 716-981 : 814

109.

Big-eared Pipistrelle

Hypsugo macrotis

French: espére a grandes oreilles / German: Grofsohr-Zwergfledermaus / Spanish: Hypsugo orejudo

Taxonomy. Vespertilio macrotis Temminck, 1840 ,

“le district de Padang, ile de Sumatra,” Indonesia.

Hypsugo macrotis has been considered conspecific with H. imbricatus , but they are generally recognized as distinct species based on morphological data. It appears to be closely related to H. vordermanni , which is morphologically very similar. Monotypic.

Distribution. W Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, NE Sumatra, and Padang, Enggano, Bali, and Lombok Is.

Descriptive notes. Head-body ¢. 50 mm, tal ¢.20 mim, ear c¢.13-5 mm, forearm 31-7-34-5 mm; weight 4-6 g. Dorsal pelage of the Big-eared Pipistrelle is reddish brown (hairs with dark brown bases); ventral pelage is a little paler. Ears are comparatively long, broad, and subtriangular with broadly rounded tip; tragus is short, broad, and hatchet-shaped. Wing membranes are translucent white with brown tinge. Skull is larger and shorter than in Vordermann’s Pipistrelle ( Hypsugo vordermanni ); rostrum is short; forehead has evenly sloping profile. P* is minute and completely displaced inwardly; C' and P* are in contact.

Habitat. The Big-eared Pipistrelle has been reported foraging over open mudflats in coastal regions in Peninsular Malaysia and in lowland rainforest.

Food and Feeding. The Big-eared Pipistrelle has been observed foraging 3 m around the edge and canopy ofa forest.

Breeding. Big-eared Pipistrelles form maternity colonies during the breeding season with 10-20 individuals.

Activity patterns. A maternity colony in Malaysia was recorded roosting between a pipeline and a pillar and Big-eared Pipistrelles were observed switching roosts in response to a feral cat disturbing their roost.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Big-eared Pipistrelles roost in colonies.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. The Bigeared Pipistrelle is considered a rare species throughout its scattered distribution, but it may be more common than currently known.

Bibliography. Francis (2008a), Gorfol, Bates et al. (2016), Lee & Teo (2018), Lim, L.S. et al. (2016), McKenzie, Gunnell et al. (1995).

Figures

94. Fairy Pipistrelle (Hypsugo ariel), 95. Lanza’s Pipistrelle (Hypsugo lanzai), 96. Arabian Pipistrelle (Hypsugo arabicus), 97. Savi’s Pipistrelle (Hypsugo savii), 98. Alashanian Pipistrelle (Hypsugo alaschanicus), 99. Cadorna’s Pipistrelle (Hypsugo cadornae), 100. Joftre’s Pipistrelle (Hypsugo joffrei), 101. Chinese Pipistrelle (Hypsugo pulveratus), 102. Chocolate Pipistrelle (Hypsugo affinis), 103. Pungent Pipistrelle (Hypsugo mordax), 104. Peters’s Pipistrelle (Hypsugo petersi), 105. Long-toothed Pipistrelle (Hypsugo dolichodon), 106. Burmese Pipistrelle (Hypsugo lophurus), 107. Red-brown Pipistrelle (Hypsugo kitcheneri), 108. Brown Pipistrelle (Hypsugo imbricatus), 109. Big-eared Pipistrelle (Hypsugo macrotis), 110. Vordermann’s Pipistrelle (Hypsugo vordermanni), 111. Anchieta’s Pipistrelle (Hypsugo anchieta), 112. Kirindy Pipistrelle (Hypsugo bemainty), 113. Mouse-like Pipistrelle (Hypsugo musciculus), 114. Broad-headed Pipistrelle (Hypsugo crassulus), 115. Eisentraut’s Pipistrelle (Hypsugo eisentrauti), 116. Schlieffen’s Bat (Nycticeinops schlieffenii), 117. Moloney’s Mimic Bat (Mimetillus moloneyi)

Distribution. W Peninsular Malaysia , Singapore , NE Sumatra, and Padang, Enggano, Bali, and Lombok Is.