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| Pseudoromicia principis Juste, Torrent, Méndez-Rodríguez, Howard, García-Mudarra, Nogueras & Ibáñez, 2023 |
Abstract
We describe a population of pipistrelle-like bats from Príncipe Island (Gulf of Guinea, Western Central Africa) as a new species based on the molecular and morphological characteristics of six specimens collected more than 30 years ago. The description of this new species was not possible until the traditionally entangled systematics of the whole pipistrelle group was clarified in recent years with the inclusion of molecular techniques and adequate species sampling. In this new taxonomic framework, the new species was clearly included within the dark-winged group of the recently described genus Pseudoromicia. The pipistrelles from Príncipe Island present a moderately inflated skull in lateral view with inner upper incisors that are moderately bicuspids and a baculum distinctly long with expanded tips. Besides these morphological characters, the new bat species is distinguished by its dwarfism, being the smallest species recognized within the genus. The ecology and conservation status of this endemic island species are unknown and field studies are urgently needed to evaluate the situation and conservation threats to this new species in its natural habitat.
Keywords: African bat, Chiroptera, Cytb, mitochondrial DNA, Pseudoromicia, systematics, taxonomy
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| Skull and mandible of the holotype of Pseudoromicia principis sp. nov. (EBD 17475M) in dorsal, ventral, lateral, front and back views as well as mandible top view. Photographs by Joxerra Aihartza. |
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| Portrait of Pseudoromicia principis sp. nov. showing a typical pipistrelle-like appearance. Pelage is chocolate brown dorsally and ventrally although tips of the ventral pelage present a distinct light creamy tinge. Photograph by Jorge Palmeirim. |
Pseudoromicia principis, new species
Príncipe’s Pipistrelle
Diagnosis: A small pipistrelle-like bat (forearm length 30.5–32.3 mm) with a long baculum with unique flattened tip with three circular bulges. Dark brown pelage with uncolored dorsal hair places the species in the genus Pseudoromicia. Dark chocolate brown pigmentation of hairless parts of the body and membranes (including wings) distinguishes this species from all the members of the translucent white-winged group of species of Pseudoromicia. This is the smallest bat so far described within the genus. It has a tiny moderately inflated skull (12.3–12.9 mm) with dimensions that do not overlap those of any other species of Pseudoromicia (Tables 3 and 4).
Etymology: The epithet “principis” is derived from the Latin princeps and refers to Príncipe Island (Gulf of Guinea, Western Central Africa) from where the bat is native and endemic. As a vernacular name we propose “Príncipe’s Pipistrelle.”
Javier Juste, Laura Torrent, Aline Méndez-Rodríguez, Kelli Howard, Juan Luis García-Mudarra, Jesús Nogueras and Carlos Ibáñez. 2023. A New Pipistrelle bat from the oceanic Island of Príncipe (Western Central Africa). Journal of Mammalogy. gyac110. DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac110
