2019/12/10 by Tamás Görföl, Sergei V. Kruskop, Vương Tân Tú +3 · 1 citation
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · #Bat Biology and Ecology Studies #Biology #Ecology #Evolutionary biology #Genus #Human echolocation #Identification (biology) #Marine animal studies overview #Species Distribution and Climate Change #Taxon #Taxonomy (biology) #Zoology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyz202
openalex publication_date 2019/12/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
Abstract Knowledge as to the taxonomic status of enigmatic bat species often is hindered by limited availability of specimens. This is particularly true for aerial-hawking bats that are difficult to catch. One such species, “Hypsugo” joffrei, was originally described in Nyctalus due to its long and slender wings, but subsequently transferred to Pipistrellus, and most recently to Hypsugo, on the basis of morphology. Analysis of newly available material, which more than doubles the known specimens of this taxon, demonstrates that it is morphologically and genetically distinct from all other bat genera. We accordingly describe it as belonging to a new, monotypic genus. We provide a detailed description of its external and craniodental traits, measurements, and assessment of genetic relationships, including barcode sequences to facilitate its rapid identification in future. The new genus belongs to a group that includes the recently described Cassistrellus, as well as Tylonycteris, and its closest relative, Philetor. We also describe the echolocation calls emitted by members of the taxon in different situations, which may facilitate finding them in previously unsampled locations. Based on the new data, the species occurs from Nepal to North Vietnam and China, which suggests that it could be more widespread than previously thought.