Trident Horseshoe Bat (Asellia tridens)

      Identification: Length 66–89mm; Tail 18–28mm; Forearm 45–53mm. Male consistently larger than female. Differs from true horseshoe bats in structure of the noseleaf with 3 fleshy extensions on the upper surface rather than the lancet. Ears relatively large and longer than in horseshoe bats. Tragus absent. Tail extends beyond flight membrane by up to 5mm. Color very variable but generally pale gray, paler below. Appears very pale when seen in flight at night.

      Range and status: Much of Africa, though not the south. Arabia, Asia Minor east to Pakistan. In Egypt, a wide-ranging species recorded from North and South Sinai, Cairo and its environs, Saqqara, Fayoum, and south along the length of the Nile Valley to the Sudanese border. Also the Western Desert including Kharga, Dakhla, Farafra, Bahariya, and Siwa, and along the Red Sea coast of the Eastern Desert.

      Habitat: A species of desert and semi-desert. Roosts in caves, cliff crevices, ruins, old buildings, and temples (large roost at Dendera Temple).

      Habits: Colonial species. Colonies large, hundreds (even thousands) of individuals. Flies late in the evening with rapid, twisting, turning flight likened to that of a butterfly. Flies low. Elsewhere, range thought to be migratory and numbers at roosts fluctuate. May also hibernate. Generally 1 young. Gestation 9–10 weeks. Reportedly preyed on by Sooty Falcon Falco concolor.

      Notes: The Persian Leaf-nosed Bat Triaenops persicus has been reported in Egypt but the records were rejected by Qumsiyah (1985). This species is found over much of East Africa but no further north than the horn of Africa and in Arabia only occurs in the south and southeast. It is, therefore, unlikely to occur in Egypt. It differs from the Trident Horseshoe Bat in the structure of the noseleaf and in the tail not protruding beyond the interfemoral membrane. Emerges earlier in the evening than the previous species.

      Similar species: True horseshoe bats. In the hand, the different noseleaf is diagnostic. Also note the tail protruding from the flight membrane. In flight appears paler. More widespread than any of the horseshoe bats.

      Vesper Bats—Family Vespertilionidae

      319 species worldwide, 10 species in Egypt.

      A very large and complex group of bats; the number of species is constantly changing as new species are described. In Egypt, mostly small bats split into several distinct groups. Because of the size of the group, it is difficult to generalize about their features. However, they tend to be small bats with reduced eyes but distinct, well-separated ears with tragi that can be important for identification within genera. The heads are generally mousy and lack the complex noselcaves of other families. Pelage is generally short and dense. Tail either completely enclosed within interfemoral membrane or only extends a short distance beyond.

      Tragi of various bat species With reference to Qumsiyah (1985), and Harrison and Bates (1991).

      Pipistrelle Bats—Genus Pipistrellus

      A large group of very small to small bats with relatively very small heads. Very difficult to tell apart, even in the hand. Five Egyptian species, only one of which is at all widespread. If in doubt, refer to the ranges of the various species, though these should be used with care. For example, Khul’s Pipistrelle Pipistrellus kuhlii, the most common species, has not yet been recorded south of Luxor, but is found in northern Sudan and extends south to South Africa. Habitat may be a better guide. In the hand, color of body and flight membranes important as are the size and shape of the tragi.

KUHL’S PIPISTRELLE Pipistrellus kuhlii (Natterer, 1819)

      Pl. 6

      Subspecies occurring in Egypt: P. k. marginatus.

      Arabic: Bibistril kuli

      Khul’s Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus kuhlii)

      Identification: Length 75–92mm; Tail 32–42mm; Forearm 31–36mm; Weight c. 5–8.5g. Small bat but the largest pipistrelle in Egypt. Wing membrane has a narrow, white margin running from the foot to the fifth digit, but this can be obscure in pale specimens where whole membrane is pale, and appears to dull with age. Also, less distinct in desert specimens. Tail moderately long but entirely surrounded by membrane, except for last vertebra which projects beyond. Ears broad, narrowing toward the tip. Tragus tall and narrow, slightly broader at base. Color variable. Egyptian specimens recorded from russet to olive-brown to pale brown, paler below. Gets paler with age.

      Kuhl’s Pipistrelle Pipistrellus kuhlii

      Range and status: Much of Africa except Sahara and rainforest areas. Southern Europe, Middle East, and Arabia cast to Pakistan. In Egypt, very common especially in populated areas including cities. Recorded from Sallum and Mersa Matruh on the north coast, and North Sinai. Found throughout the Delta, inc. Lake Manzala, Cairo and its environs, inc. Saqqara, Fayoum south along Nile Valley, with one questionable record from Luxor. Not recorded south of Luxor.

      Habitat: Roosts virtually anywhere including buildings on busy streets. Also caves, farms, roofs, tombs, crevices, and cracks in walls. Not a desert species.

      Habits: A colonial species, colonies said to be detectable by buzzing and squeaking on approach. Individual colonies small, up to a dozen animals but may be more. Tends to emerge early and fly moderately high, skimming along walls. Flight rather fast, direct, and acrobatic. In Egypt, flies throughout year accumulating fat reserves in autumn. Does not hibernate but may reduce activity. Females give birth to normally 2 young in spring (May). Notes: In some areas of its range, including Libya, Kuhl’s Pipistrelle is thought to be migratory. No evidence of migration has been found in Egypt.

      Similar species: Other pipistrelles. Kuhl’s is the largest but in the field this is not obvious. Range is a good clue, though see introduction to group. Desert Pipistrelle Pipistrellus aegyptius

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