A New Record of Hypsugo pulveratus on Amami-Oshima Island, Japan and Comparison with H. alaschanicus

Researchers document the first recorded presence of Hypsugo pulveratus bats on Amami-Oshima Island, Japan, distinguishing them from the morphologically similar H. alaschanicus. The discovery was confirmed through morphological analysis—including skull and baculum shape—and mitochondrial COI gene sequencing, which placed the bats in a distinct clade with H. pulveratus. Key differences between the two species, such as skull ridge curvature and premolar size, were highlighted. This study advances understanding of bat biodiversity in Japan's UNESCO-listed Ryukyu Islands by providing genetic and morphological evidence for species identification.

Funakoshi, K., Cheng, H.-C., Tamura, H., & Hsu, C.-W. (2022). A New Record of Hypsugo pulveratus on Amami-Oshima Island, Japan and Comparison with H. alaschanicus. Mammal Study, 47(4). https://doi.org/10.3106/ms2021-0063