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{{Short description|Extinct species of bat}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2011}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2011}}
{{speciesbox
{{Taxobox
| name = Christmas Island pipistrelle
| name = Christmas Island pipistrelle
| image =
| image =
⚫
| genus = Pipistrellus
| image_caption =
| regnum = [[Animalia]]
| species = murrayi
⚫
| authority = ([[Charles William Andrews|Andrews]], 1900)
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammalia]]
| ordo = [[Chiroptera]]
| familia = [[Vespertilionidae]]
⚫
| genus = ''[[Pipistrellus]]''
| species = '''''P. murrayi'''''
| binomial = ''Pipistrellus murrayi''
⚫
| binomial_authority = ([[Charles William Andrews|Andrews]], 1900)
| status = EX
| status = EX
| extinct = 2016
| extinct = 2009
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{IUCN |assessors=Lumsden, L., Racey, P.A. & Hutson, A.M. |year=2010 |id=136769 |taxon=Pipistrellus murrayi |version=2016.2}}</ref>
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author=Lumsden, L.F. |author2=Racey, P.A. |author3=Hutson, A.M. |year=2017 |errata=2021 |title=''Pipistrellus murrayi'' |volume=2017 |page=e.T136769A209549918 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T136769A209549918.en |access-date=26 September 2024}}</ref>
| synonyms = ''Pipistrellus tenuis murrayi''
| synonyms = ''Pipistrellus tenuis murrayi''
}}
}}
[[File:Christmas Island on the globe (Southeast Asia centered).svg|thumb|right|Location of Christmas Island in southeast Asia]]
[[File:Christmas Island on globe (Southeast Asia centered) with borders.svg|thumb|right|Location of Christmas Island in southeast Asia]]
⚫
The '''Christmas Island pipistrelle''' ('''''Pipistrellus murrayi''''') is an extinct species of [[vesper bat]] that was found only on [[Christmas Island]], [[Australia]]. The last individual bat was seen in August 2009 with no further sightings despite intensive efforts to locate it.<ref name="iucn" /><ref name="FlannerySMH">{{cite news|last=Flannery|first=Tim|title=Unmourned death of a sole survivor|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/unmourned-death-of-a-sole-survivor-20121116-29hbg.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald - Environment|publisher=Fairfax|access-date=14 December 2012|date=17 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=<!--Staff-->|date=22 September 2017|title=News at a glance|url=https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/science.357.6357.1216|journal=Science|volume=357|issue=6357|doi=10.1126/science.357.6357.1216 |bibcode=2017Sci...357.1216. |at=Christmas Island bat is officially no more}}</ref>
The '''Christmas Island pipistrelle''' (''Pipistrellus murrayi'') was a species of [[vesper bat]] found only on [[Christmas Island]], [[Australia]].
⚫
The species is now considered to be extinct, with the last individual bat seen in August 2009 with no further sightings despite intensive efforts to locate the species.<ref name="iucn" /><ref name="FlannerySMH">{{cite news|last=Flannery|first=Tim|title=Unmourned death of a sole survivor|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/unmourned-death-of-a-sole-survivor-20121116-29hbg.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald - Environment|publisher=Fairfax|accessdate=14 December 2012|date=17 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=<!--Staff-->|first=|date=22 September 2017|title=News at a glance|url=http://science.sciencemag.org/content/357/6357/1216.full|journal=Science|volume=357|issue=6357|pages=|at=Christmas Island bat is officially no more|via=}}</ref>


==Taxonomy and etymology==
==Taxonomy and etymology==
⚫
It was [[species description|described]] as a new species by British paleontologist [[Charles William Andrews]], in a monograph published in 1900. Its [[specific epithet (zoology)|species name]] "''murrayi''" was likely inspired by [[John Murray (oceanographer)|Sir John Murray]], who helped pay for Andrews's expedition to the [[Christmas Island]] where he described it.<ref name="Andrews 1900">{{cite book|last1=Andrews| first1= C. W.| date= 1900| title= A Monograph of Christmas Island (Indian Ocean)| publisher= Printed by order of the Trustees| pages=[https://archive.org/details/monographofchris00brit/page/26 26]–28|url=https://archive.org/details/monographofchris00brit}}</ref>
It was [[species description|described]] as a new species by British paleontologist [[Charles William Andrews]].
⚫
Its [[specific epithet (zoology)|species name]] "''murrayi''" was likely inspired by [[John Murray (oceanographer)|Sir John Murray]], who helped pay for Andrews's expedition to the [[Christmas Islands]] where he described it.<ref name="Andrews 1900">{{cite book|last=Andrews| first1= C. W.| date= 1900| title= A Monograph of Christmas Island (Indian Ocean)| publisher= Printed by order of the Trustees| pages=26–28|url=https://books.google.com/?id=5cPRAAAAMAAJ}}</ref>


It has sometimes been considered synonymous with ''[[Pipistrellus tenuis]]'';<ref>{{cite journal|last=Koopman|first=KF|year=1973|title=Systematics of Indo-Australian pipistrelles|journal=Periodicum Biologorum|volume=75|pages=113–116}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Koopman|first=KF|year=1993|chapter=Order Chiroptera|pages=137–241|editor1-last=Wilson|editor1-first=DE|editor2-last=Reeder|editor2-first=DM|title=Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington}}</ref> however, revisions of the genus based on baculum identified ''Pipistrellus murrayi'' as a distinct species.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kitchener|first1=DJ|last2=Caputi|first2=N|last3=Jones|first3=B|year=1986|title=Revision of the Australo-Papuan Pipistrellus and Falsistrellus (Microchiroptera: Vespertilionidae)|journal=Records of Western Australian Museum|volume=12|pages=435–495}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Hill|first1=JE|last2=Harrison|first2=DL|year=1987|title=The baculum in the Vespertilioninae (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with a systematic review, a synopsis of Pipistrellus and Eptesicus, and the descriptions of a new genus and subgenus|journal=Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Zoology|volume=52|pages=225–305}}</ref> This was supported by genetic work conducted for the Australian Government as part of its investigation into the decline of Christmas Island ecology and the pipistrelle in mid-2009; the results of this analysis indicate that the Christmas Island Pipistrelle was closely related to but distinct from other Asian pipistrelles.<ref name="environment.gov.au">{{cite book|title=Revised Interim Report|author=Christmas Island Expert Working Group to Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts|date=July 2009|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/publications/christmas/pubs/revised-interim.pdf}}</ref>
It has sometimes been considered synonymous with ''[[Pipistrellus tenuis]]'';<ref>{{cite journal|last=Koopman|first=KF|year=1973|title=Systematics of Indo-Australian pipistrelles|journal=Periodicum Biologorum|volume=75|pages=113–116}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Koopman|first=KF|year=1993|chapter=Order Chiroptera|pages=137–241|editor1-last=Wilson|editor1-first=DE|editor2-last=Reeder|editor2-first=DM|title=Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference|publisher=Smithsonian Institution Press|location=Washington}}</ref> however, revisions of the genus based on baculum identified ''Pipistrellus murrayi'' as a distinct species.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kitchener|first1=DJ|last2=Caputi|first2=N|last3=Jones|first3=B|year=1986|title=Revision of the Australo-Papuan Pipistrellus and Falsistrellus (Microchiroptera: Vespertilionidae)|journal=Records of the Western Australian Museum|volume=12|pages=435–495}}</ref><ref name="Hill1987" /> This was supported by genetic work conducted for the Australian Government as part of its investigation into the decline of Christmas Island ecology and the pipistrelle in mid-2009; the results of this analysis indicate that the Christmas Island Pipistrelle was closely related to but distinct from other Asian pipistrelles.<ref name="environment.gov.au">{{cite book|title=Revised Interim Report|author=Christmas Island Expert Working Group to Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts|date=July 2009|url=http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/publications/christmas/pubs/revised-interim.pdf}}</ref>


==Description==
==Description==
It was a small bat weighing around {{convert|3-4.5|g|oz|abbr=on}}. It had dark brown fur,<ref name="AU DOE"/> with the tips of its hairs yellowish.<ref name="Andrews 1900"/> Its forearm was {{convert|30-33|mm|in|abbr=on}} long. It was the smallest described species of bat in Australia.<ref name="AU DOE">{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=64383 |title=Pipistrellus murrayi — Christmas Island Pipistrelle |author=Department of the Environment |date=2018 |website=environment.gov.au |publisher=Department of the Environment, Canberra |access-date=25 January 2018}}</ref> Its ears were triangular and rounded at the tips. Its [[interfemoral membrane|uropatagium]] had a distinct [[calcar]]. Its tail protruded very slightly ({{convert|2|mm|in|abbr=on}}) past the uropatagium. The length of its head and body was {{convert|35-40|mm|in|abbr=on}} long; its tail was {{convert|30-31|mm|in|abbr=on}} long; its ear was {{convert|9-11|mm|in|abbr=on}}; its hind foot was {{convert|6-8|mm|in|abbr=on}} long.<ref name="Andrews 1900"/>
It was a small bat weighing around {{convert|3-4.5|g|oz|abbr=on}}.
It had dark brown fur,<ref name="AU DOE"/> with the tips of its hairs yellowish.<ref name="Andrews 1900"/>
Its forearm was {{convert|30-33|mm|in|abbr=on}} long.
It was the smallest described species of bat in Australia.<ref name="AU DOE">{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=64383 |title=Pipistrellus murrayi — Christmas Island Pipistrelle |author=Department of the Environment |date=2018 |website=environment.gov.au |publisher=Department of the Environment, Canberra |access-date=25 January 2018}}</ref>
Its ears were triangular and rounded at the tips.
Its [[interfemoral membrane|uropatagium]] had a distinct [[calcar]].
Its tail protruded very slightly ({{convert|2|mm|in|abbr=on}}) past the uropatagium.
The length of its head and body was {{convert|35-40|mm|in|abbr=on}} long; its tail was {{convert|30-31|mm|in|abbr=on}} long; its ear was {{convert|9-11|mm|in|abbr=on}}; its hind foot was {{convert|6-8|mm|in|abbr=on}} long.<ref name="Andrews 1900"/>


==Biology==
==Biology==
Line 46: Line 31:
The Christmas Island pipistrelle declined dramatically from 1990.<ref name = "Lumsden">{{cite book|last1=Lumsden|first1=L|last2=Schulz|first2=M|last3=Ashton|first3=R|first4=Middleton|last4=D|year=2007|title=Investigation of threats to the Christmas Island Pipistrelle. A report to the Department of the Environment and Water Resources|publisher=[[Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research]], Department of Sustainability and Environment|location=Heidelberg, Victoria}}</ref> It was once commonly seen throughout the island including in the settlement.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tidemann|first=C|year=1985|title= A study of the status, habitat requirements and management of the two species of bats on Christmas Island (Indian Ocean)|publisher=Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service|location=Canberra}}</ref>
The Christmas Island pipistrelle declined dramatically from 1990.<ref name = "Lumsden">{{cite book|last1=Lumsden|first1=L|last2=Schulz|first2=M|last3=Ashton|first3=R|first4=Middleton|last4=D|year=2007|title=Investigation of threats to the Christmas Island Pipistrelle. A report to the Department of the Environment and Water Resources|publisher=[[Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research]], Department of Sustainability and Environment|location=Heidelberg, Victoria}}</ref> It was once commonly seen throughout the island including in the settlement.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tidemann|first=C|year=1985|title= A study of the status, habitat requirements and management of the two species of bats on Christmas Island (Indian Ocean)|publisher=Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service|location=Canberra}}</ref>


A reassessment of the number of individuals remaining in January 2009 suggested there may have been as few as 20 individuals left. The only known [[communal roosting|communal roost]] contained only four individuals. Three years before there had been 54 individuals in this colony and there were several other known, similar-sized colonies. Monitoring in early 2009 showed that some bats survived in the wild, prompting the Australian government to announce on 1 July 2009, that it would attempt to rescue the bat by bringing the last remaining individuals into captivity, with assistance of volunteer bat researchers from the Australasian Bat Society.<ref>{{cite news|last=Galvin|first=Nick|title=Garrett goes in to bat for species on sticky wicket|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/garrett-goes-in-to-bat-for-species-on-sticky-wicket-20090215-8889.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald - Environment|publisher=Fairfax|accessdate=14 December 2012|date=16 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Peter|last1=Garrett|first2=Warren|last2=Snowdon|date=1 July 2009|title=Christmas Island Ecosystem Rescue|url=http://www.bats.org.au/wp-content/uploads/mr_christmas-island-010709.pdf |accessdate=2009-07-28 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913145413/http://www.bats.org.au/wp-content/uploads/mr_christmas-island-010709.pdf |archivedate=13 September 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
A reassessment of the number of individuals remaining in January 2009 suggested there may have been as few as 20 individuals left. The only known [[communal roosting|communal roost]] contained only four individuals. Three years before, there had been 54 individuals in this colony and there were several other known, similar-sized colonies. Monitoring in early 2009 showed that some bats survived in the wild, prompting the Australian government to announce on 1 July 2009, that it would attempt to rescue the bat by bringing the last remaining individuals into captivity, with assistance of volunteer bat researchers from the Australasian Bat Society.<ref>{{cite news|last=Galvin|first=Nick|title=Garrett goes in to bat for species on sticky wicket|url=http://www.smh.com.au/environment/conservation/garrett-goes-in-to-bat-for-species-on-sticky-wicket-20090215-8889.html|work=The Sydney Morning Herald - Environment|publisher=Fairfax|access-date=14 December 2012|date=16 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Peter|last1=Garrett|first2=Warren|last2=Snowdon|date=1 July 2009|title=Christmas Island Ecosystem Rescue|url=http://www.bats.org.au/wp-content/uploads/mr_christmas-island-010709.pdf |access-date=2009-07-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913145413/http://www.bats.org.au/wp-content/uploads/mr_christmas-island-010709.pdf |archive-date=13 September 2009}}</ref>

In early August 2009 Australian Government gave permission to capture the bats to establish a captive breeding program. However, after four weeks of surveying located only a single bat through its echolocation. Researchers were unable to catch it and the last echolocation call of this bat was recorded on August 26, 2009, when it went silent. On 8 September 2009, the Australian Government announced that attempts to capture the bats had failed. No Christmas Island pipistrelles have been seen or heard since, and it is believed the species is now extinct.<ref name=iucn/><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1946471,00.html | work=Time | date=9 December 2009|title=Should Wild Animals Become Pets to Ward Off Extinction?|first=Marina|last=Kamenev}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.mongabay.com/2012/05/island-bat-goes-extinct-after-australian-officials-hesitate/|title=Island bat goes extinct after Australian officials hesitate|first=Jeremy|last=Hance|date=23 May 2012|publisher=Mongabay}}</ref>
In early August 2009 Australian Government gave permission to capture the bats to establish a captive breeding program. However, after four weeks of surveying located only a single bat through its echolocation. Researchers were unable to catch it and the last echolocation call of this bat was recorded on 26 August 2009, when it went silent. On 8 September 2009, the Australian Government announced that attempts to capture the bats had failed. No Christmas Island pipistrelles have been seen or heard since, and it is believed the species is now extinct.<ref name=iucn/><ref>{{cite magazine| url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1946471,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213021855/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1946471,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=13 December 2009 | magazine=Time | date=9 December 2009|title=Should Wild Animals Become Pets to Ward Off Extinction?|first=Marina|last=Kamenev}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.mongabay.com/2012/05/island-bat-goes-extinct-after-australian-officials-hesitate/|title=Island bat goes extinct after Australian officials hesitate|first=Jeremy|last=Hance|date=23 May 2012|publisher=Mongabay}}</ref>
It is believed to be the first mammal extinction in Australia in 50 years.<ref name="Martin 2012">{{cite journal| last1=Martin| first1= T. G.| last2=Nally| first2= S.| last3= Burbidge| first3= A. A.| last4= Arnall| first4= S.| last5= Garnett| first5= S. T.| last6= Hayward| first6= M. W.| last7= Possingham| first7= H. P.| date= 2012| title= Acting fast helps avoid extinction| journal= Conservation Letters| issue= 5| volume=4| pages= 274–280| doi= 10.1111/j.1755-263X.2012.00239.x}}</ref>
It is believed to be the first mammal extinction in Australia in 50 years.<ref name="Martin 2012">{{cite journal| last1=Martin| first1= T. G.| last2=Nally| first2= S.| last3= Burbidge| first3= A. A.| last4= Arnall| first4= S.| last5= Garnett| first5= S. T.| last6= Hayward| first6= M. W.| last7= Possingham| first7= H. P.| date= 2012| title= Acting fast helps avoid extinction| journal= Conservation Letters| issue= 5| volume=4| pages= 274–280| doi= 10.1111/j.1755-263X.2012.00239.x| s2cid= 85987070| doi-access= free| bibcode= 2012ConL....5..274M}}</ref>


== Cause of decline ==
== Cause of decline ==
The cause of the Christmas Island pipistrelle's decline is unknown. Several potential threats have been suggested: predation or disturbance at roost sites, and disease.<ref name = "Lumsden"/> Introduced species such as the [[Lycodon capucinus|common wolf snake]], giant centipede<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ento.csiro.au/aicn/name_s/b_3704.htm|title=Scolopendra morsitans|publisher=CSIRO}}</ref> [[yellow crazy ant]], [[black rat]] or [[feral cat]]s have all been identified as potential suspects responsible for the decline either through predation or disturbance of the bats. It has also been speculated that an unidentified health threat, or poisoning from the insecticide [[Fipronil]] used to control yellow crazy ant 'supercolonies' could be responsible for the decline.<ref name="environment.gov.au"/><ref name = "Lumsden"/>
The cause of the Christmas Island pipistrelle's decline is unknown. Several potential threats have been suggested: predation or disturbance at roost sites, and disease.<ref name = "Lumsden"/> Introduced species such as the [[Lycodon capucinus|common wolf snake]], giant centipede,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ento.csiro.au/aicn/name_s/b_3704.htm|title=Scolopendra morsitans|publisher=CSIRO}}</ref> [[yellow crazy ant]], [[black rat]] or [[feral cat]]s have all been identified as potential suspects responsible for the decline either through predation or disturbance of the bats. It has also been speculated that an unidentified health threat, or poisoning from the insecticide [[Fipronil]] used to control yellow crazy ant 'supercolonies' could be responsible for the decline.<ref name="environment.gov.au"/><ref name = "Lumsden"/>


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|33em}}
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="Hill1987">{{cite journal |last1=Hill |first1=J.E |last2=Harrison |first2=D.L. |title=The baculum in the Vespertilioninae (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with a systematic review, a synopsis of ''Pipistrellus'' and ''Eptesicus'', and the descriptions of a new genus and subgenus |journal=Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) |date=30 July 1987 |volume=52 |pages=225–305 |doi=10.5962/p.18307 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/part/18307 |issn=0007-1498|doi-access=free }}</ref>
}}


{{Vespertilionidae|V.|P.}}
{{Vespertilionidae|V.|P.}}
Line 61: Line 49:


[[Category:Pipistrellus]]
[[Category:Pipistrellus]]
[[Category:Bats of Oceania]]
[[Category:Bats of Australia]]
[[Category:Fauna of Christmas Island]]
[[Category:Fauna of Christmas Island]]
[[Category:Extinct animals of Australia]]
[[Category:Extinct animals of Australia]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1900]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1900]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Charles William Andrews]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Charles William Andrews]]
[[Category:Mammal extinctions since 1500]]
[[Category:Bats of Southeast Asia]]

Latest revision as of 22:35, 26 September 2024

Christmas Island pipistrelle

Extinct (2009)  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Genus: Pipistrellus
Species:
†P. murrayi
Binomial name
†Pipistrellus murrayi
(Andrews, 1900)
Synonyms

Pipistrellus tenuis murrayi

Location of Christmas Island in southeast Asia

The Christmas Island pipistrelle (Pipistrellus murrayi) is an extinct species of vesper bat that was found only on Christmas Island, Australia. The last individual bat was seen in August 2009 with no further sightings despite intensive efforts to locate it.[1][2][3]

Taxonomy and etymology

[edit]

It was described as a new species by British paleontologist Charles William Andrews, in a monograph published in 1900. Its species name "murrayi" was likely inspired by Sir John Murray, who helped pay for Andrews's expedition to the Christmas Island where he described it.[4]

It has sometimes been considered synonymous with Pipistrellus tenuis;[5][6] however, revisions of the genus based on baculum identified Pipistrellus murrayi as a distinct species.[7][8] This was supported by genetic work conducted for the Australian Government as part of its investigation into the decline of Christmas Island ecology and the pipistrelle in mid-2009; the results of this analysis indicate that the Christmas Island Pipistrelle was closely related to but distinct from other Asian pipistrelles.[9]

Description

[edit]

It was a small bat weighing around 3–4.5 g (0.11–0.16 oz). It had dark brown fur,[10] with the tips of its hairs yellowish.[4] Its forearm was 30–33 mm (1.2–1.3 in) long. It was the smallest described species of bat in Australia.[10] Its ears were triangular and rounded at the tips. Its uropatagium had a distinct calcar. Its tail protruded very slightly (2 mm (0.079 in)) past the uropatagium. The length of its head and body was 35–40 mm (1.4–1.6 in) long; its tail was 30–31 mm (1.2–1.2 in) long; its ear was 9–11 mm (0.35–0.43 in); its hind foot was 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) long.[4]

Biology

[edit]

This species fed on insects and roosted in tree hollows and decaying vegetation.[11][12]

Decline and extinction

[edit]

The Christmas Island pipistrelle declined dramatically from 1990.[13] It was once commonly seen throughout the island including in the settlement.[14]

A reassessment of the number of individuals remaining in January 2009 suggested there may have been as few as 20 individuals left. The only known communal roost contained only four individuals. Three years before, there had been 54 individuals in this colony and there were several other known, similar-sized colonies. Monitoring in early 2009 showed that some bats survived in the wild, prompting the Australian government to announce on 1 July 2009, that it would attempt to rescue the bat by bringing the last remaining individuals into captivity, with assistance of volunteer bat researchers from the Australasian Bat Society.[15][16]

In early August 2009 Australian Government gave permission to capture the bats to establish a captive breeding program. However, after four weeks of surveying located only a single bat through its echolocation. Researchers were unable to catch it and the last echolocation call of this bat was recorded on 26 August 2009, when it went silent. On 8 September 2009, the Australian Government announced that attempts to capture the bats had failed. No Christmas Island pipistrelles have been seen or heard since, and it is believed the species is now extinct.[1][17][18] It is believed to be the first mammal extinction in Australia in 50 years.[19]

Cause of decline

[edit]

The cause of the Christmas Island pipistrelle's decline is unknown. Several potential threats have been suggested: predation or disturbance at roost sites, and disease.[13] Introduced species such as the common wolf snake, giant centipede,[20] yellow crazy ant, black rat or feral cats have all been identified as potential suspects responsible for the decline either through predation or disturbance of the bats. It has also been speculated that an unidentified health threat, or poisoning from the insecticide Fipronil used to control yellow crazy ant 'supercolonies' could be responsible for the decline.[9][13]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Lumsden, L.F.; Racey, P.A.; Hutson, A.M. (2021) [errata version of 2017 assessment]. "Pipistrellus murrayi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T136769A209549918. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T136769A209549918.en. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  2. ^ Flannery, Tim (17 November 2012). "Unmourned death of a sole survivor". The Sydney Morning Herald - Environment. Fairfax. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  3. ^ "News at a glance". Science. 357 (6357). Christmas Island bat is officially no more. 22 September 2017. Bibcode:2017Sci...357.1216.. doi:10.1126/science.357.6357.1216.
  4. ^ a b c Andrews, C. W. (1900). A Monograph of Christmas Island (Indian Ocean). Printed by order of the Trustees. pp. 26–28.
  5. ^ Koopman, KF (1973). "Systematics of Indo-Australian pipistrelles". Periodicum Biologorum. 75: 113–116.
  6. ^ Koopman, KF (1993). "Order Chiroptera". In Wilson, DE; Reeder, DM (eds.). Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press. pp. 137–241.
  7. ^ Kitchener, DJ; Caputi, N; Jones, B (1986). "Revision of the Australo-Papuan Pipistrellus and Falsistrellus (Microchiroptera: Vespertilionidae)". Records of the Western Australian Museum. 12: 435–495.
  8. ^ Hill, J.E; Harrison, D.L. (30 July 1987). "The baculum in the Vespertilioninae (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with a systematic review, a synopsis of Pipistrellus and Eptesicus, and the descriptions of a new genus and subgenus". Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). 52: 225–305. doi:10.5962/p.18307. ISSN 0007-1498.
  9. ^ a b Christmas Island Expert Working Group to Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts (July 2009). Revised Interim Report (PDF).
  10. ^ a b Department of the Environment (2018). "Pipistrellus murrayi — Christmas Island Pipistrelle". environment.gov.au. Department of the Environment, Canberra. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  11. ^ Schulz, M; Lumsden, L (2004). National Recovery Plan for the Christmas Island Pipistrelle Pipistrellus murrayi. Department of Environment and Heritage. ISBN 978-0-642-55012-5.
  12. ^ van Dyck, S.; Strahan, R, eds. (2008). The Mammals of Australia.
  13. ^ a b c Lumsden, L; Schulz, M; Ashton, R; D, Middleton (2007). Investigation of threats to the Christmas Island Pipistrelle. A report to the Department of the Environment and Water Resources. Heidelberg, Victoria: Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Sustainability and Environment.
  14. ^ Tidemann, C (1985). A study of the status, habitat requirements and management of the two species of bats on Christmas Island (Indian Ocean). Canberra: Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service.
  15. ^ Galvin, Nick (16 February 2009). "Garrett goes in to bat for species on sticky wicket". The Sydney Morning Herald - Environment. Fairfax. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  16. ^ Garrett, Peter; Snowdon, Warren (1 July 2009). "Christmas Island Ecosystem Rescue" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 September 2009. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  17. ^ Kamenev, Marina (9 December 2009). "Should Wild Animals Become Pets to Ward Off Extinction?". Time. Archived from the original on 13 December 2009.
  18. ^ Hance, Jeremy (23 May 2012). "Island bat goes extinct after Australian officials hesitate". Mongabay.
  19. ^ Martin, T. G.; Nally, S.; Burbidge, A. A.; Arnall, S.; Garnett, S. T.; Hayward, M. W.; Possingham, H. P. (2012). "Acting fast helps avoid extinction". Conservation Letters. 4 (5): 274–280. Bibcode:2012ConL....5..274M. doi:10.1111/j.1755-263X.2012.00239.x. S2CID 85987070.
  20. ^ "Scolopendra morsitans". CSIRO.
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