GAČR 206/02/0961
Two types of echolocation signals (phonotypes) of pipistrelle bats – Pipistrellus pipistrellus superspecies -have been recognized in Europe since the last decade of 20th century. Soon, further genetic, morphological and ecological differences were found, what led to recognize two distinct species: P.pipistrellus (sensu stricto) and P. pygmaeus/mediterraneus (there is no general agreement about the name of the second species). Both were recorded on the territory of the Czech Republic. The project aims at complex study of the two (or more?) sibling species to find their distribution, biological variability, the area of sympatry and the extent of overlap in their ecological niches and behavioural ecology, including the foraging strategies The complex study based on genetic, morphological, echolocation and further ecological and behavioural analyses will also focus at understanding the processes of speciation and formation of reproduction barriers between closely related species ofpipistrelle bats in central Europe.
Project Period 1/2002 – 12/2004