The majority of bats with the wing vein pattern you have chosen are common pipistrelles. However, some soprano pipistrelles also have this wing vein pattern. To ensure that you have correctly identified your specimen as a common pipistrelle, please use the following criteria.
1. The penis is grey with a pale median band. In contrast, the penis of the soprano pipistrelle is orange and does not have a band (Häussler et al., 1999).
2. The frequency of maximum energy of the echolocation call is in the range 41.6 – 50.8 kHz, with a mean of 45 kHz. In contrast, the frequency of maximum energy of the echolocation call of the soprano pipistrelle is in the range 49.2 – 57.6 kHz, with a mean of 55 kHz (Vaughan et al. 1997, Barlow & Jones, 1999).
Yes, my specimen has these characters.
No, my specimen does not have these characters.
© School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol 2005. Last modified 24th February 2005.