Jones G, van Parijs S M
Department of Zoology, University of Bristol, U.K.
Proc Biol Sci. 1993 Feb 22;251(1331):119-25. doi: 10.1098/rspb.1993.0017.
The pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus is the most widespread in Europe, and is often the most abundant bat species in northern and central Europe. P. pipistrellus has traditionally been considered as one species throughout Europe. Here we show that: (i) the echolocation calls of pipistrelles fall into two distinct frequency bands in Britain, with frequencies containing most energy averaging 46 kHz and 55 kHz; (ii) roosts consist of bats which use only one form of echolocation; (iii) small but significant differences in average gross morphology exist between the phonic types; and (iv) the two phonic types occur in sympatry over much of Britain. Recordings made from European populations show that bimodal echolocation is also typical of continental pipistrelles, with only one phonic type found in some areas, two types in sympatry in others. The sympatric occurrence of two phonic types, the lack of mixing of types between colonies, and the morphological divergence between phonic types suggests that P. pipistrellus may actually consist of at least two cryptic sibling species. The evolution of bimodal echolocation in bats is discussed, and a model involving disruptive selection is presented to show how sympatric speciation may occur.
伏翼蝙蝠（ Pipistrellus pipistrellus ）是欧洲分布最广的蝙蝠，通常也是北欧和中欧数量最多的蝙蝠物种。传统上，伏翼蝙蝠在整个欧洲都被视为一个物种。在此我们表明：（i）在英国伏翼蝙蝠的回声定位叫声分为两个不同的频段，能量最集中的频率平均为46千赫和55千赫；（ii）栖息地中的蝙蝠仅使用一种回声定位形式；（iii）两种发声类型在平均总体形态上存在细微但显著的差异；（iv）这两种发声类型在英国大部分地区同域分布。对欧洲种群的录音显示，双峰回声定位在欧洲大陆的伏翼蝙蝠中也很典型，在一些地区只发现一种发声类型，在其他地区两种类型同域分布。两种发声类型的同域出现、不同群体间类型缺乏混合以及发声类型之间的形态差异表明，伏翼蝙蝠实际上可能至少由两个隐存的姐妹物种组成。文中讨论了蝙蝠双峰回声定位的进化，并提出了一个涉及分裂选择的模型，以说明同域物种形成可能如何发生。
