Endo's pipistrelle

Endo's pipistrelle (Pipistrellus endoi) is a species of vesper bat that is endemic to Japan. It is found in temperate forests.^[1]

Endo's pipistrelle
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Chiroptera
Family:	Vespertilionidae
Genus:	Pipistrellus
Species:	P. endoi
Binomial name
Pipistrellus endoi Imaizumi, 1959
Distribution of Endo's pipistrelle

Etymology

This species was described by Japanese zoologist Yoshinori Imaizumi in 1959.^[2] He named it endoi after Kimio Endo, saying that Endo was deserving of the honor because he had "recently collected several important specimens of bats in Iwate Prefecture, including the type specimen of this species."^[3]

Description

It is similar in appearance to the Japanese house bat.^[4] The baculum, however, is different. Its baculum is short and relatively straight, measuring 9–10 mm (0.35–0.39 in).^[2] They weigh 5.6–8.7 g (0.20–0.31 oz). Their forearms are 30.8–34.2 mm (1.21–1.35 in) long.^[4]

Biology

This species has a sperm storage mechanism, in which the females retains sperm in the isthmus of uterine tube after mating. All sperm not stored in the isthmus is rapidly metabolized by the enzymatic secretions of uterine epithelial cells. This species mates in autumn.^[5] Females give birth in the summer. The average litter size is unknown, but twins have been observed. Hibernating individuals have been encountered hibernating November through March. Rock crevices appear to be important habitat for hibernation.^[4]

Range and habitat

Of the bats that have been captured, most have been in the forest, creating the impression that it was totally dependent on forest for necessary habitat.^[4][6] However, in 2006, an individual was found in a secondary forest in suburban Tokyo.^[7] They have been found 100–1,500 m (330–4,920 ft) above sea level.^[1]

Conservation

It is listed as near-threatened by the IUCN. This designation is based on it meeting the following criteria: ongoing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat, population decline estimated at 20–30% from 2019 to 2034, and the fact that it is naturally uncommon.^[1]