SPECIES ACTION PLAN FOR THE MADEIRA PIPISTRELLE Pipistrellus maderensis Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza, IP-RAM Madeira Fauna & Flora Pipistrellus maderensis

Abstract

This plan gives a review of the historical distribution information available for the Madeira bat Pipistrellus maderensis and the new information regarding the results of the remote field surveys undertaken using ultrasound detectors and thermal sensing to detect the presence and behaviour of the Madeira bat.
The Action plans intend to use available pertinent information, both historical and
recent, either by contemporary publications or collected by fieldwork, as is the case
of the project LIFE4BEST 2020-M-13, to identify distribution, population trends,
abundances, and densities of the target species. Then, with the obtained and known records, produce species binary distribution maps and Probability of Occurrence (POO) maps using Species Distribution Models. Following, using observed data and known threats to the species, suitable conservation measures are discussed by a group of experts, setting possible conservation actions to reverse the threats and recover the populations to their natural state.

Full text

SPECIES ACTION PLAN
FOR THE MADEIRA PIPISTRELLE
Pipistrellus maderensis
Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da
Natureza, IP-RAM
Madeira Fauna & Flora

SPECIES ACTION PLAN
FOR THE MADEIRAN PIPISTRELLE
Pipistrellus maderensis
Sérgio B. M. Teixeira 2,3,7, Duarte Barreto 1,3, Nádia Gonçalves 1, Sonia Smeraldo4,
Danilo Russo 5,6
1. IFCN, IP-RAM
2. Madeira Fauna & Flora
3. EUROBATS – Madeira Focal Point
4. Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno
5. Wildlife Research Unit University of Naples Federico II
6. IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group
7. University of Madeira
Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza, IP-RAM
Rua João de Deus nº 12 F R/C C
9050-027 Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Telephone: 291 145 590
Email: ifcn@madeira.gov.pt
Homepage: https://ifcn.madeira.gov.pt
Madeira Fauna & Flora
Rua Cooperativa Agrícola do Funchal, Bl. C, 3C, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Telephone: +351 966 948 592
Email: info@madeira-fauna-flora.com
Homepage: www.madeira-fauna-flora.com
Preferred citation:
Teixeira, S. B., Barreto, D., Gonçalves, N., Smeraldo, S., Russo, D. (2022). Species Action
Plan for the Madeiran Pipistrelle Pipistrellus maderensis. IFCN, IP-RAM and Madeira Fauna &
Flora, 30 pp, Funchal, Madeira.
Keywords: Conservation, threats, Madeira, endemic species, endangered species.
Cover photo: Adult P. maderensis by Christian Dietz.
With the financial support of:

Contents
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 6
IDENTIFICATION ................................................................................................................................ 8
DISTRIBUTION .................................................................................................................................. 10
Historical distribution ...................................................................................................................... 10
Habitat description ........................................................................................................................... 14
Species Distribution Model (SDM) ............................................................................................. 15
Phenology and behaviour .............................................................................................................. 18
CONSERVATION ................................................................................................................................ 20
Legal protection ................................................................................................................................ 20
Conservation status ......................................................................................................................... 21
Legal protection ................................................................................................................................ 24
Protected areas ................................................................................................................................. 25
Conservation measures ................................................................................................................. 25
PUBLIC AWARENESS ....................................................................................................................... 28
Species Action Plan summary ..................................................................................................... 29
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND LITERATURE.......................................................................... 32
Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................ 32
References .......................................................................................................................................... 33

INTRODUCTION
This plan gives a review of the distribution information available for the Madeira bat
Pipistrellus maderensis (henceforth P. maderensis) and the new information
regarding the results of the remote field surveys undertaken using ultrasound
detectors and thermal sensing to detect the presence and behaviour of the Madeira
bat between July of 2021 to October 2022 in PTMAD0001 SAC "Laurissilva da
Madeira", as well as its natural roosts, flight corridors and feeding areas.
The species started to be surveyed and studied since 1998 by S. Teixeira using
captures to morphologically identify and compare with other European Pipistrelle
species and also using ultrasound detectors to record and analyse echolocation and
social calls to define the acoustic plasticity of the species in order to allow proper field
surveys and monitoring of known occurrence locations using bat detectors. Several
books, papers and reports have been published since regarding P. maderensis,
including other researchers (see references). However, much is still unknown about
the ecology of the species, namely pre-human natural roost selection, preferred
feeding areas, diet, and native habitat use. Therefore, a project proposal was made
to LIFE4BEST by Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza (IFCN), the
government body in authority for Nature conservation, and also representing
EUROBATS in Madeira archipelago and Madeira Fauna & Flora (MF&F), a private
company specialised on services in biology and conservation.
The Action plans intend to use available pertinent information, both historical and
recent, either by contemporary publications or collected by fieldwork, as is the case
of the project LIFE4BEST 2020-M-13, to identify distribution, population trends,
abundances, and densities of the target species. Then, with the obtained and known
records, produce species binary distribution maps and Probability of Occurrence
(POO) maps using Species Distribution Models. Following, using observed data and
known threats to the species, suitable conservation measures are discussed by a
group of experts, setting possible conservation actions to reverse the threats and
recover the populations to their natural state.
In 2018 EUROBATS listed the Madeira Pipistrelle P. maderensis as one of the priority
conservation species that is endemic to Europe. The species is considered
endangered, and research on population studies and roosts monitoring of this species
should be prioritised. In Portugal, a conservation plan for cave-dwelling species was
published in 1992 and is, until now, the only national Action plan. However,
regionally, there aren't any Action plans. Therefore, we aimed to provide the first
Regional bat action plan, fill this gap, and provide the first-time guidance for
conserving this threatened endemic bat. We present an analysis of the species'
threats and the foremost actions required to overturn the identified threats. We
targeted the threats considering the regional capacity as a whole, and therefore, this

tool will provide for the first-time guidance for the conservation of this endemic
mammal and highly threatened animal.
The document is divided into three main sections:
1) Reviews the available information for the species and new data collected by
the project.
2) Provides relevant information for the conservation of the species, specifically
an analysis of the threats that have been declared for the species.
3) Describes the detailed actions that are recommended for the improvement of
the species' conservation status.
At the end of the document, there is a comprehensive list of references and an
acknowledgement section.
This Action plan is one of the outputs of the LIFE4BEST 2020-M-13 project "Using the
endangered Madeira pipistrelle as one of the flagship species to the Conservation of
the Natura 2000 SAC Laurissilva da Madeira (PTMAD0001)" produced by IFCN and
Madeira Fauna & Flora.

IDENTIFICATION
Morphology
The morphological characteristics are based on Teixeira (2005) and posterior
unpublished work, which studied the morphology of 46 Madeira Pipistrelles of both
sexes, also including juveniles and adults. Specimens were collected between 2002
and 2007.
Madeira Pipistrelles are small vespertilionid bats with a wingspan between 18 and 24
cm. The patagium, uropatagium, ears, and face skin are dark-blackish brown,
whereas the fur is brown to light brown, with no visible contrast between dorsal and
ventral colour. Madeira pipistrelle juveniles have dark brown-grey velvety fur, and
the patagium is darker than in adults, almost black. The Forearm length (FA+) is
about 33 mm in adults (32 - 34), while in Juveniles is typically between 32 and 33
mm. Some individuals have a coloured band at the posterior margin of the patagium,
between D5 and D4, which is most commonly straw to creamy or grey, rarely white,
but not as wide and marked as in Pipistrellus kuhlii. D3 is typically about 56,5 mm,
and D5 with 41,5 mm in length. Ears are small, about 10 mm in length, with a
roundish triangle shape. The ear has 3 to 5 folds/crests span from the middle to the
outer margin. Tragus is curved at its distal edge, more extended than broader and
has the same colour as the patagium. (Fig.1).
Figure 1 - Adult Madeira pipistrelle. Credits: Christian Dietz.

Tragus margins are rounded. Madeira pipistrelles have 34 teeth, with I 2/3, C 1/1, P
2/2, M 3/3. The first superior incisive I1 is unicuspid and about twice longer than the
second superior incisive I2. The first superior premolar P2 is not visible from the
outside, and the second superior premolar P4 is in contact with the canine.
Echolocation
Echolocation characteristics and parameter values are based on the work of Teixeira
(2005), Teixeira & Jesus (2009), Teixeira (2017) and Teixeira (2021), and also field
work between 1998 and 2022.
Like other edge-space foragers, the Madeira pipistrelle typically echolocates using
FM/QCF echolocation pulses (Figure 2), but it can also use full FM sweeps when close
to vegetation or in prey approach phase before the feeding buzz. When flying in the
open or far form echo producing background and long low frequency QCF signals.
Measured echolocation parameters are shown as Mean (Range). The Frequency of
Maximum Energy (Peak) 47 kHz (41-51) Start Frequency 59 kHz (44-106), and the
End Frequency (kHz) is 42 kHz (40.9-49.8). Regarding time parameters, acoustic
analysis has revealed that Madeira pipistrelles have a mean Call Duration of 5.5 ms
(2 -9.5) and an Inter-pulse Interval of 123 ms (59.3-358.0)
Figure 2 – Example of a Madeira pipistrelle Pipistrellus maderensis echolocation spectrogram with FM calls
in the beginning and FM/QCF calls by the end of the sequence. Analysis with spectrogram and power
spectra graphic (credits Sergio Teixeira).

TAXONOMY
Common name: Madeiran Pipistrelle (English); Morcego-da-Madeira or Pipistrelo-
da-Madeira (Portuguese)
Latin name: Pipistrellus maderensis (Dobson, 1878)
Phyllum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Vespertilionidae
Six species of Pipistrelle bats inhabit several biogeographical regions of Europe
(EUROBATS, 2018). Of these, only P. maderensis and P. kuhlii are described in
Macaronesia, in the archipelagos of Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands (Rainho
et al. 2002; Pestano, 2003; Teixeira, 2005; Teixeira & Jesus, 2009; Teixeira, 2012;
Teixeira, 2013, Teixeira, 2014; Trujillo & Gonzalez, 2011). The taxonomical status
of the different populations is still not clear. The origin of Macaronesian pipistrelles is
thought to be from P. kuhlii ancestors from Northwest Africa, which scolonised these
islands. In Madeira, P. maderensis scolonised the archipelago 1.2 to 1.3 million years
ago (Russo et al., 2009).
In the Azores, the species inhabits the Island of Santa Maria (Trujillo & Gonzalez,
2011), in Madeira, the Islands of Madeira and Porto Santo (Teixeira, 2005; Teixeira
& Jesus, 2009), and on the Canarian archipelago, the species only exists on the 4
westernmost islands of Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Palma, whereas P.
kuhlii is only reported for Fuerteventura and Tenerife (Pestano, 2003). In this
archipelago, there were at least two colonisation events from Africa, while in Madeira
and the Azores, only one event is estimated.
DISTRIBUTION
Historical distribution
Historical records of bats in Madeira are scarce and dubious; therefore, only museum
specimens are valid for historical records (Teixeira, 2008). Thus, there aren't any
solid historical records of bats or, more specifically, P. maderensis. Teixeira, Antunes
and Freitas made the first surveys with bat detectors in 1998 with a Pettersson D240
(Pettersson Elektronik, Uppsala, Sweden) time expansion ultrasound detector.
Surveys were done all over the Island (data not published), and later, in 2001, this

team visited those sites with Rainho for the Portuguese Red Book of Vertebrates. The
data collected has been published by Rainho et al. in 2002 (Fig.3).
Figure 3 – Historical Distribution and abundance records of Madeira pipistrelles in 2001 based
on work by Teixeira, Antunes and Freitas and also Rainho (from: Rainho et al., 2002).
Between 2001 and 2004, Teixeira made a 1 x 1 Km2 grid over the Madeira Island
and has surveyed over 482 Km2 of the Island using a Pettersson D240 Heterodine
with Time Expansion ultrasound detector and recording time-expanded sequences
into audio tapes. Sound recordings were analysed using Bat Sound software, and
Madeira Pipistrelles were identified in 65 points on the Island (Fig. 4). During these
years, a total of 1431 hours of fieldwork recording bats, identifying roosts and also
capture and release of several bats to increase the echolocation plasticity, social calls,
including stress calls in order to compare with other European and west African
Pipistrelle species such as P. kuhlii (Russo et al. 2009, Teixeira, 2019; Teixeira &
Russo, 2019). Abundance was also recorded in all surveyed points. Some areas had
a high abundance of the species, namely in areas close to water and laurel forest.
The species was distributed more densely in the northwest area and the central-

eastern half of the Island, namely the coastal northeast, in Santana and Machico
municipalities, where humid, lush green laurissilva forests are abundant (Fig.4).
Figure 4 - Distribution of bats in Madeira between 2001 and 2004 surveyed by S. Teixeira
(Adapted from Teixeira, 2005).
Between 2005 and 2008, Teixeira and Freitas made several monitoring visits to the
same previously known areas and some new unsurveyed areas, mainly located in the
far inner valleys of the north-central area of the Island (Fig. 5). In some of the new
regions, P. maderensis was registered, but new areas were, like most of the others,
where only one bat was foraging. In the southern farmland areas, where banana
plantations, sugar cane, and vineyards are grown, P. maderensis is mostly absent.
Surveys were made in these areas and also close to the water reservoirs, where bats
typically head to drink water when leaving the roost. No Madeira pipistrelles were
detected on those areas. Even in densely urban areas, such as Funchal, Santa Cruz,
Câmara de Lobos, P. maderensis is absent.
In 2010, 2012 and 2016, the Island had large fires that burned vast areas of the
Island and even affected the mountainous massif and borderline areas of laurel
forest. During those fires, all known large roosts and feeding areas were destroyed,
and their activity or population numbers were never recovered. Roosts were never
reoccupied by bats. Historically, P. maderensis, is more abundant in rural areas with
well-developed forests and tree lines with artificial lights where the species forages

typically for insects. The species is also related to water bodies such as rivers, ponds
and water reservoirs, which may be associated with the prey items the species preys
upon. The species has never been registered on the highest mountains or the Plateau
of Paul da Serra. The highest point in terms of elevation was at 1289 m a.s.l. close
to Lombo do Mouro or at the pass between Rabaçal and Calheta Valley, at 1213 m
a.s.l.
Figure 5 - Distribution of P. maderensis bats in Madeira between 2005 and 2008 surveyed by
S. Teixeira and T. Freitas (Adapted from Jesus et al., 2009).
Current distribution
Recent survey studies made by Teixeira have shown that P. maderensis is still widely
distributed all over the Island, except in the farmland areas with intensive crops such
as banana, sugar cane and vineyards. The species is more abundant in the lushest
humid regions, close to water, with openings or tree lines. In 2019, one P. maderensis
was detected for the first time on the top of the Plateau of Paul da Serra close to Bica
da Cana area at 1563 m a.s.l. In other locations, the species has disappeared or has
suffered substantial population declines of about 90% since 1998 (S. Teixeira and T.
Freitas, unpublished data).
During the data collection on the LIFE4BEST 2020-M-13 project, some of these
historical areas, such as Ribeiro Frio, Queimadas, Encumeada, São Vicente and other
northern locations were resampled and have shown that the species still use them.

In total 144 points were surveyed for secondary forests using handheld Magenta 4
bat detectors and thermal sensors to ascertain P. maderensis activity and habitat
use, as well as to find the minimum number of bats in activity on each point. Of the
144 surveyed points in the secondary laurissilva forest, P. maderensis was active in
52, using the areas as flight corridors (17 points) or foraging sites (41 points). On 6
points, P. maderensis were registered foraging and observed using it as a flight
corridor. These locations were surveyed as secondary laurissilva and contact areas
with farmland with laurissilva. Survey transects were made every 250 m in order to
use the same point distance as the one in primary regions of the PTMAD0001 SAC
Laurissilva da Madeira and thus have the same detectability as in primary forests. In
these areas, with well-preserved old laurel forests, far from urban areas and farmland
areas, given the inaccessibility of the survey units, it was required to access using
off-road vehicles and install Audiomoth automated bat detectors to survey these
areas for several days. In all, 1,5 Km2 grids were designed and overlayed in each one
of the 4 sampling units, with a total of 6 Km2 divided by 144 points, as surveyed in
secondary areas. In primary laurel forest areas, only 19 points showed activity, of
which 11 were flight corridors and 8 were feeding areas. The highest densities were
recorded in secondary forests, mainly in Fajã da Nogueira and Larano areas and also
in Chão da Ribeira, a subgrid of the São Vicente grid. Comparing these areas with
historical records, we have seen a decline in most of the regions. Although P.
maderensis is still present in some previously recorded points, their abundances are
lower.
HABITAT
Habitat description
P. maderensis is somewhat flexible to a broad range of habitat types, preferring open
areas such as rocky outcrops, steep mountains and riverine corridors in the natural
humid areas with mixed forests or dry and humid laurel forests (Laurissilva) at mid
altitudes. This bat is frequently seen foraging in areas close to cliffs, deep valleys,
tree lines such as rivers, ponds and even man-made water reservoirs, roads and
water canals (levadas), where it can feed on insects and fly along the tree line
(Teixeira, 2019). In the presence of artificial light, it takes advantage of forage
insects, as many other species do, even if the habitats are composed of mixed exotic
forests or broadleaf woodland and rural areas. The areas with higher densities, above
100 bats, were all located between 500 and 800 meters a.s.l., all were located close
to water, either natural or anthropogenic riparian habitats such as water reservoirs
and rivers. Above 800 meters, the species is scarce except in wind-sheltered areas
with plenty of prey items (Russo et al., 2009; Teixeira, 2005; Teixeira & Jesus, 2009;
Teixeira, 2019).

The Madeira pipistrelle is frequently observed in anthropogenic areas, such as rural
sheds or haylofts where farm animals are kept, and insects are abundant. Also,
contact areas between forest and rural farmland are used by the species (Teixeira,
2005, Teixeira & Jesus, 2009). The use of farmland and production forests as
important habitats have been confirmed by Ferreira et al. (2022).
In areas of intensive agriculture, such as sugar cane, banana plantation, vines and
also potatoes and market vegetables, the species is absent (Teixeira, 2005; Teixeira
& Jesus, 2009; Jesus et al., 2009, Russo et al., 2009).
Species Distribution Model (SDM)
To identify further potentially fitting sites on Madeira for the target species P.
maderensis, species distribution models (SDM) were developed using eight
environmental variables regarded as significant in determining the Madeira bat
distribution: altitude; Mean Diurnal Range; Mean Temperature of Driest
Quarter; Precipitation of Driest Quarter; distance from agricultural lands; distance
from broad-leaved forests; distance from hydro elements and artificial illumination.
The model was developed using different algorithms combined using the biomod2
package within R software. The elevation was taken from Worldclim, land cover from
Corine Land Cover and artificial illumination from NOOA. Maps were made using
QGIS. The used set was based on historical published data of P. maderensis (Rainho
& Marques, 2002; Russo et al. 2009; Teixeira, 2005; Jesus et al., 2009, Teixeira
2012, Teixeira, 2013; Teixeira, 2014 and Teixeira, 2019 and also from unpublished
data collected by Teixeira between 2009 and 2020. A total of 459 points where P.
maderensis was recorded were used to train and test the model, of which 67 were
obtained from the project data, and the remainder 392 were historical records. The
analyses were carried out in R, using 70% of each species' set of records to train the
model and the other 30% to test it.
Based on the model's prediction, a threshold of 0,3 was applied to display
presence/absence maps and predict the probability of occurrence of the species in
the Island. Additionally, the variable significance was determined as the percentage
contribution of each variable to the model, enabling the evaluation of which variables
were more significant in determining the species distribution and how this distribution
is correlated with the change in variable values.
Figures 6 and 7 show the predicted distribution of P. maderensis based on the results
of the species distribution models obtained. In Figure 6, the model displays the
Probability of Occurrence (POO) throughout Madeira Island, while Figure 7 exhibits
the data as a presence/absence map.

Independently of the POO or binary map, the model predicts that P. maderensis is
distributed in areas with rural and Laurel Forest contact areas and primary Laurel
forest areas. However, in areas where light pollution is more substantial or at higher
elevations, the species is absent or rarely occurs. Thus, the western coastal regions,
the central valleys and the eastern rural areas are where the species has the higher
POO. These maps will be distributed by surveyors doing transects for the Madeira Bat
Monitoring Scheme (EMMA).
Figure 6: Species Distribution Model for P. maderensis on Madeira Island. Data displayed
as Probability of Occurrence (POO).

Figure 7: Binary Distribution Model for P. maderensis on Madeira Island. Data displayed as
predicted presence/absence occurrence.

BIOLOGY
Phenology and behaviour
Unlike other pipistrelles in mainland Europe, P. maderensis is active all year long
(Teixeira, 2021). The species has been recorded in activity in all months of the year
in Madeira Island, being inactive in colder months or during winter storms. Still, the
species doesn't hibernate but enters instead into torpor when unfavourable weather
conditions occur (Teixeira pers. obs.).
Breeding season occurs in March – April, when females have been seen leaving
maternity roots and also mother-infant tandem flights have been observed and
mother-infant interaction social calls have been recorded.
The mating season occurs in Autumn, like other species in mainland Europe.
Territorial defence and mate search are made with patrol flights while producing
mating songs. During this season, males have more social calls, and chase flights
and agonistic interactions are widespread. Typically, males fly alone in foraging
patches and chase intruders away. However, several areas where various bats cluster
and interact with each other have been observed. In two sites, several bats were
captured using mist nets; all were adult males (Teixeira pers. obs.).
In 2021 and 2022, during the LIFE4BEST 2020-M-13, the data collected using
acoustic survey and thermal sensing confirmed that P. maderensis is active in
secondary laurel forests as well as in riparian habitats close to primary forests. These
areas had a higher abundance of P. maderensis.
In 2022, Ferreira et. al. found that the activity of P. maderensis showed a strong
positive association with shrubland, cropland and Laurissilva. The same study also
showed that P. maderensis is altitude sensitive, showing a negative correlation
between altitude and activity and that the activity changes with landscape cover at
different altitudinal gradients.
POPULATION
In the Madeira archipelago, the population trend has been decreasing since Teixeira,
Antunes, and Freitas did the first surveys between 1998 and 2001. In Madeira Island,
P. maderensis populations have been declining since the late 1990s. The areas
identified in the late 20th century with the highest densities, where over 100 Madeira
pipistrelles were observed foraging and interacting, are now empty or with only a few
individuals. These population declines are in the order of 90 to 100%. Most sites
where the species is presently detected foraging have only 1 or 2 bats, and areas
with high densities are not known. Most of the decline coincided with the large forest

and suburban fires occurred in 2010, 2012 and 2016 or even smaller localised fires
(S. Teixeira, unpublished data). However, a study by Nouioua et al in 2022, has
showed that P. maderensis increased activity in burned forest areas, benefiting from
the structural changes in forests and the possibility to forage in these now sparser
vegetation patches.
Porto Santo Island's population may have become extinct between 2015-2016. In
2012, all bats and feral pigeons inhabiting an abandoned building succumbed
simultaneously to what seemed like a poisoning event. This was the last large roost
known on the Island of Porto Santo. Despite warnings about the low number of bats
on this Island since 2002, no actions have been taken to prevent their disappearance.
The last surveys made by Jesus and Teixeira on the few known locations yielded no
contacts. Therefore, given the lack of visual and acoustic observations, it is suspected
that the species has disappeared from the Island. Unfortunately, no genetic studies
were made to ascertain this sub-population identity. Given their short geographical
distance, it is unknown if the species flies between islands.
Concerning Desertas Islands, Madeira pipistrelles were observed several times and
reported by IFCN Nature rangers. In 1992, 3 adults roosted inside the ranger's house
(I. Silva, pers. obs). However, since then, no other records have been made, despite
intensive surveys being made during the 2-year period between 2014 and 2015.
Consequently, given the lack of records, the species is now considered absent from
these Islands.
Regarding roosts, no natural roosts have ever been found, and all known roosts are
located in anthropogenic structures (Teixeira, unpublished data). Most roosts known
for the species are in grey cinder bricks used in construction. These were often used
without plaster or concrete coating, and when pierced, P. maderensis used the
entrance to the hollow section and started to roost inside. Madeira Pipistrelles also
use chimneys of fireplaces in rural areas. A few exceptions were known, such as
crevices in buildings like chapels. The most extensive roost was known as maternity,
and it held 49 Adults and pre-adults pipistrelles. This roost was destroyed during the
2012 fires and has never been occupied again. Another identified threat that
destroyed several known roosts is that due to better economic conditions, people
started to plaster grey brick walls, thus closing the roost entrance, and killing entire
populations. All other large roosts were also destroyed. In 2019 a new roost was
found, and dusk emergence count showed that the roost had 21 bats. This roost was
also in the chimney of a rural household. In Madeira Island, these bat-human
interactions have proven catastrophic for the bats since the population still regards
them as a nuisance and deleterious species for humans.

In the last few years, with the growth of tourism and private rentals for tourists, most
abandoned or old buildings were rebuilt and refurbished for tourism, thus surely
causing the destruction of many P. maderensis roosts.
Presently, despite the fact that the species is found all over the island, with the
exception of densely populated or farmed areas, their abundance is very low.
Between 1998 when the first surveys started, and the present day, there is an evident
population decline in numbers and areas.
CONSERVATION
Legal protection
The species is protected internationally by Convention on Migratory Species (CMS),
also known as Bonn Convention. Under this convention, the UNEP/EUROBATS
agreement for the conservation of bats in Europe has been implemented. Despite
initially excluding the whole Macaronesian region, under the efforts of Teixeira and
Russo, the Macaronesian archipelagos were included in 2010, thus encompassing the
Madeira Pipistrelle. The species is also protected in Europe by the Bern Convention
on wild fauna under Annex II and Annex III. Finally, under the Habitats Directive, the
species is protected under Annex IV.
In Portugal, it is protected nationally by the national decrees "Decree nº 31/95 de 18
of August (amended by Decree nº 5/2014, of 29 January) and also Decree-Law nº
140/99, of 24 April at its last updated version (Decree-Law n.º 156-A/2013, of 8
November)
Regionally protected in the Canary Islands under the regional decree nº 151/2001.
Not explicitly covered in Madeira Islands. However, most of its area of occurrence
and main habitats are protected as Natura 2000 Ecological network Special Areas of
Conservation (SACs) and Sites of Community Importance (SCI's). The native laurel
forest is listed as SAC PTMAD0001' Laurissilva da Madeira' in Natura 2000 Ecological
Network under the Habitats Directive and also part of the Madeira Nature Park
8Parque Natural da Madeira – PNM). Also, all bat species and their roosts are
protected under the Habitats Directive. Consequently, although P. maderensis is not
specifically addressed by any legal protection, it is indirectly protected by several
legislative acts. Their primary habitats are protected and under the surveillance of
the Regional Authority IFCN.

Conservation status
The conservation status of P. maderensis has been variable over time and with
different official organisations which access the status of the species.
Internationally, IUCN has reviewed the species in 2016 as vulnerable (C2a(i)),
considering that the geographical range includes Madeira and Porto Santo (Madeira
archipelago), La Palma, Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro in the Canary Islands and also
Santa Maria, Flores, Graciosa, São Jorge and Corvo (Azores). However, it is not clear
that these isolated island populations are the same species, and the status should be
revised on the following IUCN assessment, given the massive population declines
over the last 25 years and its disappearance from Desertas and Porto Santo Islands
(Russo et al., 2009; Jesus et al. 2013).
ICNF has considered the species nationally as Critically Endangered (CR), considering
the small population size and trend, habitat fragmentation and threats. In addition,
the Red Book of Vertebrates of Portugal published in 2005, listed it as Critically
Endangered (CR). However, the last edition has excluded the Macaronesian
archipelagos from the list. Therefore, the species hasn't been reassessed nationally.
The CMS/EUROBATS has published the "Action Plan for the Conservation of All Bat
Species in the European Union 2018 – 2024", the species is also considered
Endangered and has been included in the new list of 10 priority species that were
identified and adopted by EUROBATS.
Regionally, in the Madeira archipelago or the other Macaronesian archipelagos, the
Macaronesian endemic P. maderensis was not listed among the Top 100 more
threatened species (Martin et al., 2008). Despite being endemic, the species does
not have any conservation status attributed regionally on any of the archipelagos.
The conservation actions proposed by Alcaldé & Juste on the 2016 IUCN Red List
assessment are the ones proposed by Rainho and Palmeirim (2002), which were:
1. identification, protection and monitoring of roosts;
2. preservation and restoration of natural habitats,
3. reduction of pesticide use;
4. study of the species biology, ecology, genetics, and systematics.
In 2002 Trujillo also recommended a public awareness campaign to reduce the
disturbance of breeding colonies in private houses.
However, these actions are somewhat general for all species in Europe and unfit for
the Island reality, namely Preservation and restoration of natural habitats, since 2/3
of the Island is protected and has 15 000 hectares of protected native forests.
Additionally, the proposed action of reducing pesticide use is also inadequate since

the species is absent in the farmland areas. The other three are suited for Madeira
Island. Therefore, in this Action plan, we propose several more specific actions
covering the range of identified threats.
THREATS
Globally, the species is threatened by a multiplicity of natural and anthropogenic
threats. Regarding human pressures, the urban pressure due to the explosive growth
of touristic household rentals leads to the rebuilding and refurbishment of abandoned
and old buildings where bats roost is a growing threat. These construction works are
done without assessing for any bats roosts in the buildings and relocation of any
roosting bats. Also, the large fires in forests, suburban and rural areas are a
significant threat since many large P. maderensis roosts have been destroyed by fires
in 2010, 2012 and 2016. The fires are in the vast majority caused by man. In urban
areas, predation by domestic and feral cats is vast, namely for juveniles that fail the
roost entrance attempt. This behaviour has been seen and reported several times
(Teixeira, com. pess.). Cats compose the main driver of bats rescue and killings. Even
injured bats have to be euthanised due to the extent of their injuries. Still, one of the
harsher threats is still the public image that bats have in civil society. This leads to
the intended destruction and killing of bats either by setting the roosts on fire (2002)
or closing the roosts entrances with concrete, as observed in 2002 and reported in
2017 and 2018 (S. Teixeira. pers. obs.).
In relation to natural threats, climate change is the main threat to P. maderensis,
namely with sudden temperature extremes and flash floods. Climate change also
leads to increased fires, habitat and roost loss and habitat change.
The abundance of introduced predators in natural areas is also a threat to the
populations of P. maderensis. Namely, the black rat Rattus rattus and its ability to
climb trees is a threat to bats using transitional roosts in trees. This species is
common in forest areas. Also, the feral cat Felis catus is known to capture many bats
(Teixeira, pers. obs), including P. maderensis in urban areas (Rocha, 2015), but
although in Natural mountainous areas the diet of cats lacked any bat remains in
scats (Medina et al. 2006), in lower natural areas, where bats are abundant, cats
capture and kill several specimens and many specimens have been collected over the
years (S. Teixeira, unpublished data). The local EUROBATS Focal Point, IFCN, as a
SOS Wildlife line and department, which collects injured bats, many of which are
victims of cat predation. Of these, P. maderensis is the most rescued bat (J. M.
Rodrigues, pers. obs., fig. 8A) because this species has the highest anthropogenic
affinity (Teixeira, 2005; Teixeira, 2019), therefore, is more prone to frequent cat
interactions. Typically, these interactions end with the death of the bat or severe
injuries which leads to their euthanization to end their suffering. The most common

injuries are Thorax and Abdomen perforation, broken humerus, and radius bones
(Fig.8 B ).
Figure 8 – Rescued P. maderensis after cat predation in Funchal urban area (A); P.
maderensis with broken Humerus bone caused by domestic cat (B). Credits: J. Manuel
Rodrigues (SOS Wildlife/IFCN).
SPECIES ACTION PLAN
One of the primary objectives of the project LIFE4BEST 2020-M13 was to draw the
first action plan based on collected data, SDM predictors and identified threats and
also design transects to be monitored by capacitated civil society and government
technicians and rangers. As information is brought into the monitoring scheme and
population trends are known, the Action Plan will be updated regularly. The
monitoring, awareness initiatives and capacitation will meet up with IUCN actions and
goals for the conservation of the Madeira bat P. maderensis. In this early stage, given
the lack of knowledge and the conservation status of the target species, the Action
plan will be audited in the first 3 years (2023 – 2025) and then again on the 5th year
(2027), already using monitoring data from the Madeira Bat Monitoring Scheme
(EMMA). Regular updates should be made every 5 years using all collected data, from
Wind turbines Monitoring, independent research and data gathered on EMMA.
The Action Plan update will be made by a group of experts composed of the members
of the LIFE4BEST 2020-M-13 project team:
Duarte Barreto – EUROBATS Madeira Administrative Focal Point (IFCN)
Sérgio Teixeira – EUROBATS Madeira Scientific Focal Point (MF&F)
Nádia Gonçalves – Senior Conservationist (IFCN)

Danilo Russo – IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group
Also, Sonia Smeraldo who participated by developing the SDM models.
The P. maderensis expert group will consult all monitoring volunteers, Wildlife Rescue
experts of IFCN and scientists involved in bat work, which may provide valuable
information for the Action plan update.
Concerning the Madeira Bat Monitoring Scheme (EMMA), the coordination will be
made by MF&F and IFCN, who will also report the EMMA results yearly and inform
about all findings, namely threats and interaction with economic activities.
Furthermore, this monitoring scheme will be in contact with EUROBATS and IUCN to
meet the monitoring and research priorities set by these organisations for the target
species, as well as assess the population size, distribution, trends and identifying
roosts.
Legal protection
With the data collected during the project, no specific legal protection is proposed.
However, considering that all bat species are listed on the Annex IV of the Habitats
Directive and therefore are animals of community interest in need of strict protection,
thus benefiting from several protection provisions across their natural range,
including outside of protected areas. Hence, all bat species roosts are protected under
Habitats Directive Article 12:
1. all forms of deliberate capture or killing of specimens of these species in the
wild;
2. deliberate disturbance of these species, particularly during the period of
breeding, rearing, hibernation and migration;
3. deliberate destruction or taking of eggs from the wild;
4. deterioration or destruction of breeding sites or resting places.
Consequently, the action plan suggests that all identified roosts must be reported to
the IFCN/EUROBATS and monitored over time by IFCN and the network of EMMA
volunteers. When located in private buildings, landowners must be advised about the
importance of their conservation and also the EU legal protection status of these
sites. It is paramount to warn owners that it is forbidden to degrade or destroy any
bat roost. In addition, construction works on known roosts should be previously
informed to the IFCN/EUROBATS experts to assess the need to relocate the bats or
provide alternative roosts.

Maintaining the license system used by the IFCN for the capture of bats for research
to control and monitor captures of the endemic P. maderensis. Also, data collected
by bat researchers should be totally shared with the IFCN/EUROBATS.
Protected areas
The collected data has shown that P. maderensis is more active in secondary laurel
forests and contact areas with farmland, thus strengthening the need to increase
surveys in these areas and radiotracking bats to find roosts. However, considering
that the years 2021 and 2022 have been humid and cold, in most primary Laurel
Forest areas surveyed, temperatures were very low for bats, and constant storms
affected the sampling areas, thus, influencing the activity in primary areas.
Therefore, increasing and replicating the survey in primary and secondary areas is
paramount to find if there is a need to extend the protected areas. Currently, no
indication exists to support expanding the protected areas.
Conservation measures
The key actions for the conservation of P. maderensis can be summarised as follows:
HABITAT MANAGEMENT
Water abstraction from riparian habitats for human use is a problem for P. maderensis
since, like many other bat species, P. maderensis drinks water in ponds and lentic
habitats in rivers. The species was also observed performing drinking flight in artificial
water wells (S. Teixeira, pers. obs.). However, most artificial water sources in rural
areas have become unavailable after the law to enclose all water reservoirs due to
the high number of fatal accidents with children. Also, water abstraction to human
supply has caused many water courses to have been diverted, thus lowering the flow
and, consequently, the water availability to bats. Therefore, riverine habitats must
be managed to keep a fair amount of water sources throughout the Island.
Additionally, like many other pipistrelles, P. maderensis feeds on small insects that
depend on water to breed. Hence, dry riverine habitats caused by water abstraction
also decrease food availability. A possible solution would be the creation of artificial
water reservoirs in these suitable areas, large enough to provide drinking water and
food and also help the species survive climate change effects, namely drought and
heat waves, which cause high mortality in vespertilionid bats (Russo, pers. obs.)

Also, invasive species may change flight corridors and access to roosts and should
therefore be controlled in these areas. However, these actions should be thought to
farmers and landowners in order to increase awareness and also diminish the IFCN
work overload.
ROOSTS
Regarding bats breeding and resting sites prospecting, identifying, and monitoring
roosts is the most crucial action to hinder a decreasing population trend. Therefore,
all roosts, should be identified, characterised, and monitored while raising awareness
about the importance of their conservation by focusing on the benefits of their
presence and how to reduce any potential risks (MacFarlane & Rocha, 2020).
With the threat of the introduced predators at roost entrances, we recommend that
all identified roosts in urban and suburban areas, where these predators are
abundant, are protected to prevent cats and rats from capturing bats at the roost
entrance without hindering bats' easy access. Unfortunately, this behaviour affects
mostly young bats learning how to enter the roost. Failed attempts often result in
capture and death. To overcome this problem, we suggest the installation of bat
boxes in nearby locations of known roosts but located in an unreachable area for the
main predators, thus allowing higher juvenile survivability.
Additionally, awareness initiatives with farmers with suitable habitats, feeding areas
or even roosts in their properties are paramount for long-term sustainable habitat
management for P. maderensis. Frequently bats roost in hollow grey cinder bricks
which are commonly used in rural areas. When farmers identify these roosts, is
common that due to bats' low popularity and often compared to rats and pests,
farmers tend to cover roost entrances with concrete or kill all bats using fire or
chemicals. These bat-harmful behaviours were observed in 2002, 2004, 2010, 2017
and 2018 (S. Teixeira, pers. obs.). To overcome this high-priority threat, we suggest
that once identified, farmers should be offered the installation of Bat boxes and
explain to them the procedure and importance of bat conservation during the whole
process. This is the best way to give bats an alternative roost and allow building
owners to cover the entrances. Reallocation should be monitored until completed.
This action should be led by IFCN, with the collaboration of scientific institutions,
NGO's and/or researchers.
SURVEY AND MONITORING
The distribution of P. maderensis has been diminishing over time due to habitat loss,
fragmentation, and roost destruction (S. Teixeira, pers. obs.). This is demonstrated
by the historical records, and the Binary map and Species Distribution Model obtained

during the project, which validates that the present records of P. maderensis are
absent from the zones where it was recorded in the late 20th century and early 21st
century, namely urban and suburban areas.
To determine species distribution and abundance changes over time, the EMMA will
allocate critical data from monitoring transects to answer these fundamental doubts.
The EMMA is designed to collect a constant data flow to the IFCN/EUROBATS to assess
P. maderensis population trends over time in the monitored areas of laurel forests
within PTMAD0001 "Laurissilva da Madeira" SAC.
The capacitation of the IFCN rangers and technicians will allow for data collection in
the areas managed by this governmental body. Other stakeholders technicians have
also been trained during capacitation workshops. Also, farmers, Tourism guides,
Nature guides, and mountain guides are capacitated, and at this point, there are
already 6 volunteers ready to collect data for the EMMA.
The IFCN is also receiving monitoring data from the wind turbines installed in several
wind farms, namely in the Plateau of Paul da Serra thus gathering critical data on
bats' interactions with these structures.
Disseminate the IFCN/EUROBATS reporting sheet and reporting guidelines made
during the project throughout governmental bodies, municipalities, stakeholders and
civil society.
RESEARCH
Research will be based on fundamental ecological data gathered during the
monitoring of the EMMA transects as well as any information relayed by bat workers
or even roosts reported by civil society. Additionally, several university students have
shown interest in participating in research initiatives.
Research priorities have been identified by the project team: prospect roosts using
remote sensing and radiotracking. Civil society inquiries will also be made to find
roosts in farmland areas.
Another identified research priority is to ascertain if the pipistrelle populations in the
other macaronesian archipelagos do in fact belong to P. maderensis or compose a
complex of species (Jesus et al. 2013; Trujillo & Gonzalez, 2011, Teixeira, 2019).
This is paramount to properly assess the conservation status of P. maderensis in case
the species is endemic to Madeira Islands.

PUBLIC AWARENESS
IFCN/EUROBATS and Madeira Fauna & Flora will continue to organise bat nights for
the civil society. In addition, other actions will take place in the university, including
biology students and nature guides, namely conferences about the Madeira bat
populations and EMMA.
Additionally, bats have been included in the IFCN environmental education initiatives
in the public schools in the archipelago and will continue to be made over time in
post-project initiatives, thus extending the awareness-raising initiatives throughout
all the different age-group student communities across the Island after the project.
Madeira Fauna & Flora has made ppt and pdf presentations for these stakeholder
programmes.
Considering that activity was higher in secondary forest areas and farmland contact
areas, a digital fact sheet should be produced with information about the importance
of bats to farmland areas and techniques to manage land in a bat-friendly manner.
MF&F has also renewed the hosting of the project domain
https://madeirabatsconservation.com keeping the site active post-project. The site
is now being changed into a Madeira bat conservation timeline, including historical
data, actions, events and the action plan for the species. The site will also include the
IFCN SOS lines and procedures on bat identification and handling as well as several
shorts and project videos. This will allow IFCN/EUROBATS to keep civil society
engaged in bat conservation and simultaneously gather baseline and critical data
about P. maderensis and other bat species on the Island. Social media links will be
available on the site, including links to IFCN, EUROBATS, MF&F and other important
stakeholders. The other project's social media pages will also be kept.
BAT CONSERVATION EXPERT GROUP
In order to determine the most suited conservation actions for P. maderensis in every
point in time and also review and update this Action Plan in the future, IFCN should
gather a group of bat experts to discuss and help to implement the determined
measures. This group should include local and international experts with solid
knowledge about the Island bat fauna and their conservation.
This group should meet regularly to discuss and organise and consolidate all available
data on P. maderensis and actions on conservation and possible projects. Meetings
should be led by EUROBATS - Madeira Administrative Focal Point

Species Action Plan summary
ACTION
PRIORITY
(High,
Medium.
Low)
PARTNERS (Lead
partner in bold) TIMESCALE
Legal protection
Keep the IFCN current license system for bat captures and get
data from researchers
High IFCN
2025
Protected areas
Manage water abstraction in areas identified as optimal for P.
maderensis with the SDM
Medium IFCN
MF&F
2023
onwards
Increase sampling effort in primary and secondary laurel forest
areas and contact areas using deployed trained staff High MF&F
IFCN
Other
institutions and
external
researchers
2023
onwards
Keep Magenta Bat detectors in IFCN structures located in
Protected Areas used by IFCN staff
High IFCN 2023
onwards
Conservation measures
Capacitate more IFCN technicians and rangers and also DRADR
and DRAAC technicians to collect data to contribute to the
conservation actions identified in this recovery plan
High
IFCN
DRADR
DRAAC
MF&F
2023
onwards
Prospect and
identify
and monitor roosts, namely maternities
using remote and radiotracking techniques
High
MF&F
IFCN/EUROBATS
2023
onwards
Create the panel of experts of IFCN/EUROBATS and IUCN SSC
Bat Experts group to analyse data and update the Action plan High IFCN/EUROBATS
IUCN
2023
onwards

Prospect, Identify and monitor roosts
High
IFCN/EUROBATS
MF&F
Other
institutions and
external
researchers
2023
onwards
Install bat boxes and relocate bats when necessary High MF&F
IFCN
2023
onwards
Survey and monitoring
Increase networks of volunteers to keep data collection ongoing High MF&F
EMMA volunteers 2023-2025
Undertake regular EMMA transect counts 4 times per year, in the
several seasons
High MF&F
maBMS volunteer
recorders
2023
onwards
Keep bat monitoring and reporting in windfarms IFCN/EUROBATS
DRAAC
ongoing
Monitor bat killings and causes
Medium
IFCN SOS
wildlife
ongoing
Research
Promote
autecological research
studies
by
biology students
and
bat researchers
Medium
University of
Madeira
IFCN/EUROBATS
Other institutions
and external
researchers
2023
sCharacterise
roosts used by
P. maderensis
High
MF&F
IFCN/EUROBATS
2025
Identify P. maderensis prey species. Medium University of
Madeira
IFCN/EUROBATS
2025

Other
institutions
and external
researchers
Clarify
P. maderensis
taxonomical status throughout
Macaronesian islands
High
IFCN/EUROBATS
IUCN SSC Bats
Other institutions
and external
researchers
2025
Public awareness
Continue with IFCN Education events in schools IFCN
MF&F
ongoing
Training of new EMMA volunteers able to contribute to the
conservation actions identified in this recovery plan Medium MF&F
IFCN ongoing
Produce a
P. maderensis
factsheet to advise
farmers and other
landowners on the importance of bats and suitable habitat
management procedures
Medium
MF&F
SRAAC
IFCN
2023
-
2025
Continue with EUROBATS International Bat Night
High
IFCN
MF&F
2023
onwards
Continue with the Madeira bats conservation webpage High MF&F
IFCN
2023
onwards
Disseminate the IFCN/EUROBATS reporting sheet and guidelines
High
MF&F
IFCN
2023
onwards

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND LITERATURE
Acknowledgements
The Action Plan for Pipistrellus maderensis is an output of the LIFE4BEST 2020-M-13
"Using the endangered Madeira pipistrelle as one of the flagship species to the
Conservation of the Natura 2000 SAC Laurissilva da Madeira (PTMAD0001)"
partnership project between Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza
(IFCN, IP-RAM) and Madeira Fauna & Flora (MF&F).
Project stakeholders, Regional Directorate for Agriculture and Rural Development
(DRADR) and Regional Directorate for Environment and Climate Changes (DRAAC)
gave support by providing venues for several capacitation and awareness actions.
Project delivery and the Action Plan were made by the following people:
Fieldwork: Sérgio Teixeira (Field Biologist), Edgar Barros e Vítor Camacho
(Volunteers EMMA)
Species distribution Models (SDM): Sonia Smeraldo (SDMs) and Sergio Teixeira
(distribution and historical data).
Meetings to develop conservation actions: Duarte Barreto (IFCN/EUROBATS
Madeira), Nádia Gonçalves (IFCN), Sérgio Teixeira (Madeira Fauna &
Flora/EUROBATS Madeira/Universidade da Madeira), Danilo Russo (IUCN SSC Bat
Specialist Group/EUROBATS) and Sonia Smeraldo (Istituto Zooprofilattico
Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno).
Revision of the manuscript: Francisco Fernandes, Dinarte Teixeira and Paulo
Freitas.

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