Pipistrellus etula
| Pipistrellus etula | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Placentalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Vespertilionidae |
| Genus: | Pipistrellus |
| Species: | P. etula |
| Binomial name | |
| Pipistrellus etula Torrent et al., 2025 | |
Pipistrellus etula, also known as Bioko pipistrelle, is a species of vesper bat endemic to Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea. Its discovery in 2025 marked the 1,500th bat species recognized worldwide.[1][2]
Etymology
[edit]The specific epithet "etula" honors the indigenous Bubi people of the island; in the Bantu language of the Bubi, "etula" means "island" or "god of the island."[1][2]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]The species is currently known only from the montane forests of Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.[2] It was captured during biodiversity assessments at elevations above 1,000 metres (3,280 ft). Researchers suspect it may also occur in other highland areas along the Cameroon Volcanic Line.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "1,500th Bat Species Discovered in Africa's Equatorial Guinea". Bat Conservation International. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- 1 2 3 Torrent, Laura; Juste, Javier; Garin, Inazio; Aihartza, Joxerra; Dalton, Desiré L.; Mamba, Mnqobi; Tanshi, Iroro; Powell, Luke L.; Padidar, Sara; Mudarra, Juan Luis Garcia; Richards, Leigh; Monadjem, Ara (2025). "Taxonomic revision of African pipistrelle-like bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with a new species from the West Congolean rainforest". Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 204 (2) zlaf020. doi:10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf020.