Pipistrellus aladdin, the Turkestan pipistrelle, is a species of bat in the family Vespertilionidae.[2] It is found in Central Asia and Afghanistan. It is assessed as data-deficient by the IUCN.[1]

Pipistrellus aladdin
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Pipistrellus
Species:
P. aladdin
Binomial name
Pipistrellus aladdin
Thomas, 1905
Synonyms
  • Pipistrellus pipistrellus aladdin Thomas, 1905
  • Pipistrellus pipistrellus bactrianus Satunin, 1905

Taxonomy

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It was described as a new species in 1905 by British mammalogist Oldfield Thomas. The holotype had been collected near Isfahan, Iran by Richard Bowen Woosnam during an expedition led by Arthur Churchill Bailward.[3] Its taxonomic status has since been debated: various authors have considered it a full species or a subspecies of the Indian pipistrelle (P. coromandra) or the common pipistrelle (P. pipistrellus).[4] Its status remains in dispute as of 2023, and it is considered invalid by the Integrated Taxonomic Information System.[5]

Description

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It is similar in appearance to the common pipistrelle but it has lighter fur. The edge of its wing and tail flight membranes is white. Individuals have a total length of 69–82 mm (2.7–3.2 in) and a forearm length of 27–35 mm (1.1–1.4 in). It weighs 3.4–5.6 g (0.12–0.20 oz).[4]

Biology

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Pipistrellus aladdin is insectivorous, consuming small moths and flies.[1]

Habitat and distribution

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The bat is found in Afghanistan, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.[1]

It inhabits open woodland, semi-desert, farmland, rural gardens and urban areas, and roosts mainly in buildings, trees, cracks in cliffs and caves.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Srinivasulu, B.; Srinivasulu, C. (2019). "Pipistrellus aladdin". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T85333758A85333766. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T85333758A85333766.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Oldstyle id: 71f241efcc33ae6b8097c9da077299a2". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands.
  3. ^ Thomas, O. (1905). "4. On a Collection of mammals from Persia and Armenia presented to the British Museum by Col. A.C. Bailward". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London: 521.
  4. ^ a b Neuhauser, Hans N.; Deblase, Anthony F. (1971). "The Status of Pipistrellus Aladdin Thomas from Central Asia". Mammalia. 35 (2). doi:10.1515/mamm.1971.35.2.273. S2CID 84297791.
  5. ^ "Pipistrellus aladdin". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 22 December 2023.