| Convex horseshoe bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Rhinolophidae |
| Genus: | Rhinolophus |
| Species: | R. convexus |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhinolophus convexus Csorba, 1997 | |
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| Convex Horseshoe Bat range | |
The convex horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus convexus) is a species of bat in the family Rhinolophidae. It is found in Malaysia and Laos. [1]
This species was first encountered by Hungarian zoologists Gábor Csorba and Ferenc Zilahy in March 1995 in the Cameron Highlands District of Malaysia. It was described by Csorba in 1997. It was given the species name convexus in reference to the "convex outline of the posterior noseleaf." The holotype is an adult female. [2]
As the Rhinolophus genus is quite speciose, it is divided into closely related species groups. The convex horseshoe bat is placed into the pusillus species group. [2]
Other species belonging to this species group include:
The base of the noseleaf is narrow when viewed from the side. The lancet is short, wide, and rounded with convex margins. Its shape is similar to an equilateral triangle. The sella tapers and curves downward at the tip. The forearms are approximately 42 mm (1.7 in) long. Ears are small and blunted at the tip. The noseleaf, while broad, does not cover the sides of the muzzle. There are three grooves in its lower lip. On its back, the fur is a rich, russet brown color, and individual hairs are 6 mm (0.24 in) long. Hairs are a consistent color from base to tip. On its ventral side, the hairs are lighter in color, and individual hairs are somewhat shorter at 4.5 mm (0.18 in) long. Flight membranes are dark in color. The last vertebra of the tail extends slightly past the uropatagium. [2]
One individual was collected in a montane forest of Malaysia at 1,600 m (5,200 ft). [1] The other known individual was collected in front of a cave in Laos, [7] but its taxonomic validity may be questionable. [1]
Only two individuals of this species have ever been observed. [1] There is almost no information about their biology, ecology, population number, or range. Because of this, the IUCN lists it as data deficient. [1]
Horseshoe bats are bats in the family Rhinolophidae. In addition to the single living genus, Rhinolophus, which has about 106 species, the extinct genus Palaeonycteris has been recognized. Horseshoe bats are closely related to the Old World leaf-nosed bats, family Hipposideridae, which have sometimes been included in Rhinolophidae. The horseshoe bats are divided into six subgenera and many species groups. The most recent common ancestor of all horseshoe bats lived 34–40 million years ago, though it is unclear where the geographic roots of the family are, and attempts to determine its biogeography have been indecisive. Their taxonomy is complex, as genetic evidence shows the likely existence of many cryptic species, as well as species recognized as distinct that may have little genetic divergence from previously recognized taxa. They are found in the Old World, mostly in tropical or subtropical areas, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
The intermediate horseshoe bat is a bat species of the family Rhinolophidae that is very widespread throughout much of the Indian subcontinent, southern and central China and Southeast Asia. It is listed by IUCN as Least Concern as it is considered common where it occurs, without any known major threats.
The lesser woolly horseshoe bat, also called Beddome's horseshoe bat, is a species of bat in the family Rhinolophidae. It is found in India and Sri Lanka. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, caves, and urban areas.
The Andaman horseshoe bat is a species of bat in the family Rhinolophidae. It is endemic to the Andaman Islands. During the day, it roosts in caves, but may also choose tree hollows.
Blyth's horseshoe bat is a species of bat in the family Rhinolophidae. It is found across southern Asia from Afghanistan to Vietnam. The species can be identified from its pointed, bifid sella.
Maclaud's horseshoe bat is a species of bat in the family Rhinolophidae. It is endemic to Guinea. Its natural habitats are moist savanna, caves and other subterranean habitats. It is one of five African microbat species to be listed as endangered by the IUCN. In 2013, Bat Conservation International listed this species as one of the 35 species of its worldwide priority list of conservation. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The big-eared horseshoe bat is a bat species within the Rhinolophidae native to Asia.
The Maendeleo horseshoe bat is a recently discovered species of bats in the family Rhinolophidae. It inhabits caves of the Coastal Lowland forests of Tanzania. Its closest relative is the Adam's horseshoe bat. It was described in 2000.
Bourret's horseshoe bat is a species of horseshoe bat native to Southeast Asia. The name "paradoxolophus" is derived from the Greek words paradoxos, meaning "contrary to expectation", and lophos, meaning "crest". This name refers to the bat's difference in nose-leaf morphology compared to other Rhinolophus species. There are no recognised subspecies.
The Ziama horseshoe bat is a species of bat in the family Rhinolophidae. It was first described in 2002. It is found in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Its natural habitats are subtropical and tropical moist lowland and monstane forests. In 2013, Bat Conservation International listed this species as one of the 35 species of its worldwide priority list of conservation.
The Thai horseshoe bat, sometimes called the Thai leaf-nosed bat, is a species of bat from the family Rhinolophidae. It is frequently listed as a subspecies of the Big-eared horseshoe bat, but this may be a result of the two species being taken in sympatry in Laos. It is native to China, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The Madura horseshoe bat is a species of bat from the family Rhinolophidae. Current taxonomy treats the Madura horseshoe bat as a species separate of the Sulawesi horseshoe bat and not including parvus, but Csorba et al. (2003) recognizes both as subspecies of the Sulawesi horseshoe bat. It is known only from seven specimens from Madura Island and the Kangean Islands in Indonesia, and its type locality is Soemenep, Madura Island. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and it suffers from habitat loss due to limestone excavation and deforestation for logging and agriculture in its habitat. It is also unknown whether or not the Madura horseshoe bat lives in any protected areas. The species is cave-roosting and most likely independent of water, foraging in primary forest.
The Bornean woolly horseshoe bat or Proconsul's horseshoe bat is an endangered species of horseshoe bat found in Malaysia. Though it was discovered in 1959, it was not recognized as a distinct species until 2013.
Rhinolophus microglobosus is a species of horseshoe bat found in Southeast Asia.
McIntyre's horseshoe bat is a species of horseshoe bat that is endemic to Papua New Guinea.
The Yaeyama little horseshoe bat is a species of bat in the family Rhinolophidae that is endemic to the Yaeyama Islands of Japan.
