Diadem leaf-nosed bat

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Diadem leaf-nosed bat
Hipposideros diadema (3933426171).jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Hipposideridae
Genus: Hipposideros
Species:
H. diadema
Binomial name
Hipposideros diadema
(É. Geoffroy, 1813)
Diadem Roundleaf Bat area.png
Diadem roundleaf bat range

The diadem leaf-nosed bat [2] or diadem roundleaf bat (Hipposideros diadema) is one of the most widespread species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is probably most closely related to Hipposideros demissus from Makira and to Hipposideros inornatus from the Northern Territory in Australia. Hipposideros diadema is found in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Contents

Description

Hipposideros diadema is named for its complex anterior nose leaf, which is horseshoe-shaped and located on the slightly inflated nasal region. This nose shaped evolved to assist in echolocation, adding the noseleaf and the associated intricate musculature to help the nose resonate more effectively. [3] The transverse leaf is erect and there is no median projection. [4] They have huge ears mainly because of the well developed antitragus, while no tragus is present. [5] Males have a sac located posterior to the nose which can secrete a waxy substance, thought to be used in attracting mates and status determination. Body length ranges from six to ten centimeters when adult, with brown fur covering all but the limbs. The underbelly is paler in color, and white spots can be found in the shoulder region. Adults weigh between 34 and 50 grams, and the wingspan is approximately 15 to 22 cm. Hefty claws are found on the hind limbs, and a single claw on each of the forelimbs. [6] Each toe of the foot has two phalanges, and the short tail is usually enclosed within the small uropatagium. [4] The dental formula is 1/2 1/1 2/2 3/3, molars are dilambdodont, and hefty enamel tubules are present at dentin-enamel junctions. [7] The oral region of the skull exhibits premaxillary palatal branches that are fused medially, and widely separated from the maxillae laterally. [5]

Reproduction

One breeding season exists, and birthing and lactation coincide with the maximum quantity of insects in the spring. One young is born per litter. Male competition involves some physical skirmishes, but mainly the secretion and detection of a waxy material from behind the nose. [4] Females congregate in large groups during March and April, during which each one gives birth to a single offspring. [6] The mother remains intimate with the young until weaning when the juvenile usually becomes independent.

Habitat

With a heavy body and long, narrow wings, the Hipposideros diadema is adept at fast flight but has relatively poor maneuvering ability. It has adapted to foraging in gaps in forests, such as around tree falls or above rivers. This bat species is not restricted to rain-forest and in outback Australia it forages within eucalypt woodland and open forest, deciduous vine thicket and within towns. [8] Individuals are known to forage up to two and a half kilometers from the roost during the course of the night. [8] During the day it roost in small groups in caves, old mines, sheds, hollow trees and tree branches.

Lifespan

The Hipposideros diadema typically lives between four and seven years in the wild, but can live up to twelve years in captivity. [6]

Behavior

These bats are nocturnal and gregarious. They congregate and live in groups that can be as large as two to three thousands individuals. Not on an individual level, but as a colony, there seems to be some territoriality exhibited. [6] It is extremely rare case for these bats to attack humans. But when harassed or cornered, these bats can have a painful bite. They carry a myriad of parasites, most of which have no effect on humans however. [9]

Food habits

The Hipposideros diadema are usually insectivorous. [4] The diet varies depending on specific location, but they tend to prefer insects such as coleopterans (beetles), lepidoterans (butterflies and moths), and those within the orthopteroid (grasshoppers) orders. However, they will prey on small birds and spiders rarely. Thus, the Hipposideros diadema is sometime classified as an occasional carnivore. [10] These bats are extremely adept predators. By using echolocation, intensified through their highly modified nose and nostrils, they achieve very high rate of success. [3] A constant frequency call is emitted around 50 to 58 kHz, and maintained for 20 to 30 seconds at a time. [11] They are not continuous flight hunters, instead they prefer to take short flights from their perches and intercept the prey in midair. [12] This perch hunting strategy is a low-energy method of acquiring their food. When hunting, they usually fly over a stream or creek that is covered in canopy. They very rarely venture out over open water. [11] Lepidopterans (eared moths) make up a significant portion of their diet and these insects have an auditory range from 20 to 50 kHz. Research has shown that these insects can sense the echolocation pulses and have learned to evade or hide from the attacking bats. [12] Aside from beetles and moths, other insects consumed include weevils and katydids to which the soft parts of such insects are consumed and the inedible parts, such as wings, carapace, and legs are discarded below their perch. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leaf-nosed bat</span> Family of bats

The New World leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae) are found from southern North America to South America, specifically from the Southwest United States to northern Argentina. They are ecologically the most varied and diverse family within the order Chiroptera. Most species are insectivorous, but the phyllostomid bats include within their number true predatory species and frugivores. For example, the spectral bat, the largest bat in the Americas, eats vertebrate prey, including small, dove-sized birds. Members of this family have evolved to use food groups such as fruit, nectar, pollen, insects, frogs, other bats, and small vertebrates, and in the case of the vampire bats, even blood.

<i>Hipposideros</i> Genus of bats

Hipposideros is one of the most diverse genera of bats, with more than 70 species. They are collectively called roundleaf bats after the shape of their nasal ornament. It is the type genus of the family Hipposideridae. It is divided into species groups based on morphology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

The Indian roundleaf bat, also known as the large Ceylon leaf-nosed bat or Kelaart's leaf‐nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is endemic to the Indian subcontinent, with marginal populations also detected in Southeast Asia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and caves. The bat has three subspecies that occur in India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. The Indian subspecies, H. l. indus, is smaller than the ones found in Sri Lanka and Myanmar, although there are no other characteristics that differentiate the subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

The great roundleaf bat, also known as the great Himalayan leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae found in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and China. It gives birth to two young a year. It has been assessed as least concern by the IUCN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicolored roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

The bicolored roundleaf bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae found in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. This bat inhabits caves, rock crevices and tunnels among lowland forests. They roost in large numbers and consume mostly small winged insects. Their navigation and hunting skills come from the use of echolocation. Its leafnose is used to release ultrasonic shouts to distinguish its surroundings. Echolocation is also used to distinguish other species based on their wingbeat and size. The habitat of this bat decides the color of its fur. Bleaching fumes of a cave environment will cause an orange colored fur. Those who inhabit a well-ventilated roost will be a light brown color.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sundevall's roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

Sundevall's roundleaf bat, also called Sundevall's leaf-nosed bat, is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fawn leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

The fawn leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae found in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vanuatu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclops roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

The cyclops roundleaf bat or cyclops leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae found in the forests of equatorial Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Makira roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

The Makira roundleaf bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae endemic to the Solomon Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kolar leaf-nosed bat</span> Endanged species of bat found in India

The Kolar leaf-nosed bat, or leafletted leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is endemic to India. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and caves. It is found in only one cave in India, and its population is less than 200 individuals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noack's roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

Noack's roundleaf bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is found throughout tropical Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, moist savanna, and caves and other subterranean habitats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schneider's leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

Schneider's leaf-nosed bat or Schneider's roundleaf bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is endemic to South Asia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, caves, and urban areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

The northern leaf-nosed bat is a micro-bat of the family Hipposideridae, known as "leaf-nosed" bats. The species is endemic to northern regions of Australia. They are highly manoeuvrable in flight, and use echolocation to forage for insect prey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lamotte's roundleaf bat</span> Species of mammal

Lamotte's roundleaf bat is a species of bat found only at Mount Nimba on the border of Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia. It is critically endangered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hipposideridae</span> Family of bats

The Hipposideridae are a family of bats commonly known as the Old World leaf-nosed bats. While it has often been seen as a subfamily, Hipposiderinae, of the family Rhinolophidae, it is now more generally classified as its own family. Nevertheless, it is most closely related to Rhinolophidae within the suborder Yinpterochiroptera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arnhem leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of mammal

The Arnhem leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It lives in the sandstone areas of Kakadu National Park.

Griffin's leaf-nosed bat is a species of roundleaf bats. First seen in 2008, it was formally described in 2012. It is found only in Vietnam, and only at two places, Cát Bà Island in northern Vietnam, and Chư Mom Ray National Park. It is generally similar to the species complex of the great roundleaf bat, with which it shares the habitat, but has distinguishing characters. It is relatively smaller and its sound navigation, echolocation, is different.

Brevipalatus mcculloughi is a species of bat that existed in the early Miocene. It was discovered at a fossil deposit of the Riversleigh World Heritage Area.

Hipposideros bernardsigei is a hipposiderid species of bat known by fossil specimens, one of the many new taxa of microchiropterans discovered in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area.

Hipposideros winsburyorum is a hipposiderid species of bat known by fossil specimens, one of the many new taxa of chiropterans discovered in the Riversleigh World Heritage Area. The species existed during the Pliocene.

References

  1. ↑ Aguilar, J.; Waldien, D.L. (2021). "Hipposideros diadema". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T10128A22095445. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T10128A22095445.en . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Van Dyke, S. and Strahan, R. (eds.) (2008) The Mammals of Australia, Third Edition, New Holland / Queensland Museum, Brisbane ISBN   978-1-877069-25-3
  3. 1 2 Gobbel, L. 2002. Morphology of the external nose in *Hipposideros diadema* and *Lavia frons* with comments on its diversity and evolution among leaf-nosed microchiroptera. Cells Tissues Organs, 170(1): 36-60.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Feldhamer, G., L. Drickamer, S. Vessey, J. Merritt. 1999. Mammalogy. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  5. 1 2 DeBlase, A., R. Martin. 1981. A Manual of Mammalogy. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Nowak, R. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press.
  7. ↑ Lester, K., S. Hand. 1987. Chiropteran enamel structure. Journal of Scanning Microscopy, 1(1): 421-436.
  8. 1 2 Pavey, C. 1998. Colony sizes, roost use and foraging ecology of *Hipposideros diadema* reginae, a rare bat from tropical Australia. Pacific Conservation Biology, 4(3): 232-239.
  9. ↑ Uchikawa, K., M. Harada, S. Yenbutra, S. Ohtani. 1983. Bat myobiidae from Thailand (Acari, Trombidiformes). Acarologia, 24(2): 169-180.
  10. ↑ Pavey, C., C. Burwell. Oct. 1997. The diet of the diadem leaf-nosed bat, *Hipposideros diadema*: confirmation of a morphologically-based prediction of carnivory. Journal of Zoology, 243(2): 295-303.
  11. 1 2 Fenton, M. 1982. Echolocation calls and patterns of hunting and habitat use of bats (Microchiroptera) from Chillagoe, North Queensland, Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology, (30)3: 417-426.
  12. 1 2 Pavey, C. 1998. Bat predation on eared moths: a test of the allotonic frequency hypothesis. OIKOS, 81(1): 143-151.
  13. ↑ "Diadem Roundleaf Bat - Hipposideros diadema". ecologyasia.com.
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