Tricolored Bat
Perimyotis subflavus
Summary 2
The eastern pipistrelle (Perimyotis subflavus), also known as the tricolored bat, is a species of bat that is widely distributed throughout the eastern parts of North America, ranging west until Kansas and Texas, from Honduras up north until southern Ontario. It is the only member of the genus Perimyotis.
Behaviour 3
Eastern pipistrelles are effective echolocators. Their echolocation calls are a combination of fundamental and second ary harmonics, which helps to distinguish their calls from those of similar species which share their geographic range. The use of harmonics allows eastern pipistrelles to increase their target resolution and aids in their ability to efficiently capture prey (MacDonald et. al., 1994).
The young are able to call to their mothers (Fugita and Kunz, 1984). These calls are a type of social call that signals female-infant interactions. These calls allow mutual recognition (Pfalzer and Kusch, 2003).
Although not specifically mentioned in any references, some communication must occur between a mother and her young through touch. Tactile communication may also occur between mates.
Communication Channels: tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; ultrasound ; echolocation ; chemical
Conservation status 4
This species is not considered threatened at the global or national levels, but it is a species of special concern in the state of Michigan.
Temperate North American bats are now threatened by a fungal disease called “white-nose syndrome.” This disease has devastated eastern North American bat populations at hibernation sites since 2007. The fungus, Geomyces destructans, grows best in cold, humid conditions that are typical of many bat hibernacula. The fungus grows on, and in some cases invades, the bodies of hibernating bats and seems to result in disturbance from hibernation, causing a debilitating loss of important metabolic resources and mass deaths. Mortality rates at some hibernation sites have been as high as 90%.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: special concern
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Description 5
Not as small as its western cousin, the eastern pipistrelle weighs in at 6 to10 g and is comparable in size to many bats in the family Vespertilionidae. Eastern pipistrelles are stronger fliers than western pipistrelles, and some migrate several hundred miles in late summer and early fall, to the caves where they hibernate. Like their cousins, female eastern pipistrelles give birth to twins. The neonates are hairless, but develop rapidly and are able to fly when they are two to three weeks old. Males have been known to live to 15 years of age; the maximum recorded longevity for females is 10 years.
Links:
Mammal Species of the World
Click here for The American Society of Mammalogists species account
Ecology 6
Probably feeds within a 5-mile radius of its roosting site. In spring and summer in Indiana, the maximum distance traveled by 19 radio-tagged reproductive females was 4.3 km (Veilleux et al. 2003). Probably occurs in low densities. Relatively uncommon. Generally solitary or in small groups.
Reproduction 7
Eastern pipistrelles mate between August and October while “swarming” in front of cave openings. This is the only time the males and females of this species are together.
Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)
After they mate, female eastern pipistrelles store sperm while they hibernate. Fertilization and pregnancy occur in the spring (Nowak, 1991). Eastern pipistrelle females usually give birth to twins in late May or early June. Although the young are born hairless, blind, and totally dependent upon their mothers, they weigh up to 52% of the mother's body weight. They develop rapidly, and within several weeks, are able to fly and hunt on their own. Young are able to make a clicking sound to signal their mothers.
Breeding interval: Eastern pipistrelles breed twice a year.
Breeding season: Copulation occurs between August and October and again in the spring.
Range number of offspring: 2 to 2.
Range gestation period: 44 (high) days.
Average gestation period: 44 days.
Range weaning age: 28 (high) days.
Average weaning age: 28 days.
Range time to independence: 5 (high) weeks.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 3 to 11 months.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); fertilization ; viviparous ; sperm-storing ; delayed fertilization
Average birth mass: 0.94 g.
Average number of offspring: 2.
Female eastern pipistrelles carry their babies to different roosts. Males do not help rear the young. Within one week the young are covered in fur. At 3 weeks they are able to fly. The young are weaned at 4 weeks and begin to forage with their mothers. At 5 weeks the young are independent from their mothers. Juveniles reach sexual maturity within 3 to 11 months.
Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
Sources and Credits
- (c) Dave Thomas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidjthomas/2363265178/
- Adapted by rkkessler from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perimyotis_subflavus
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31416013
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31416019
- (c) Smithsonian Institution, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://eol.org/data_objects/6625430
- (c) NatureServe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/28816885
- (c) The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/25066451
