Kolar leaf-nosed bat

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Kolar leaf-nosed bat
Kolar leaf-nosed bat.jpg
The bat at its only known roost in Hanumanahalli, Kolar, Karnataka
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Hipposideridae
Genus: Hipposideros
Species:
H. hypophyllus
Binomial name
Hipposideros hypophyllus
Kock & Bhat, 1994
Leafletted Roundleaf Bat area.png
Kolar leaf-nosed bat range

The Kolar leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros hypophyllus), 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.

Contents

Taxonomy

This species was described in 1994. [2] The Hipposideros bats of South Asia are divided into closely related species groups. The Kolar leaf-nosed bat is placed in the "bicolor" species group, which is characterized by the absence of secondary leaflets on their nose-leaves and a forearm length of 33–44 mm (1.3–1.7 in). [3] It is most closely related to Cantor's roundleaf bat and the fawn leaf-nosed bat; these three species form a clade in the genus Hipposideros. [4]

Description

Its forearm is 38–49 mm (1.5–1.9 in) long. [3] The fur on its back is variable in color, with some individuals' hairs tipped with grayish-brown, while others' hairs are tipped with rufous brown. Fur on the ventral surface is tipped in white or fulvous-white. Its nose-leaf has two supplementary leaflets that project from underneath the sides of the front nose-leaf. [5] Its ears are 16.7–17.7 mm (0.66–0.70 in) long; its tail is 23.3–24.3 mm (0.92–0.96 in) long; its hind feet are 6.7–6.9 mm (0.26–0.27 in); its nose-leaf is 5.5–5.8 mm (0.22–0.23 in) wide. [4]

Biology

It echolocates at 103–105.3kHz. [3] During the day, it roosts in caves. It has been documented sharing a roost site with several other species of bat, including Khajuria's leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros durgadasi), fulvus roundleaf bat (Hipposideros fulvus), and Schneider's leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros speoris). It accumulates fat in the winter months, suggesting that it may use torpor in colder months. [1] Pregnant and lactating females have been observed late in the summer. [4]

Range and habitat

It is known from only one cave in Hanumanahalli village in the Kolar district of the state of Karnataka in India. [1] Its cave is described as an inaccessibly narrow opening in granite rocks. [5] Previously, it was known from a nearby cave in Therahalli village, but it is absent from that cave as of 2014. It has not been encountered at elevations above 570 m (1,870 ft). The habitat surrounding its single remaining cave consists of tropical dry shrubland. [1]

Conservation

It is currently evaluated as critically endangered by the IUCN. The Kolar leaf-nosed bat is found in only one cave, and its population is less than 200 individuals. Its single cave is not on protected land, and the species itself is not protected by Indian law. Its habitat is under threat due to illegal granite mining. Granite miners have driven them out of at least two caves by setting fires; the fires make granite extraction easier. As reported in 2014, there was a temporary mining ban on the cave where this species is still found. Its critically endangered listing occurred in 2016; from 20042016, it was listed as endangered. From 20002004 it was listed as vulnerable, and from 19962000, it was listed as lower risk/near threatened. [1] There are petitions to have the bat protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, as all bats in India are considered vermin with the exception of two species. However, as of 2017, these petitions have not been successful. [6]

Related Research Articles

<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 a least concern species by the IUCN.

<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">Ashy roundleaf bat</span> Species of bat

The ashy roundleaf bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae found in Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

<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">Khajuria's leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of bat found in India

The Khajuria's leaf-nosed bat, also known as Durga Das's leaf-nosed bat, is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is endemic to India. Its natural habitat is caves. It is threatened by habitat loss.

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

Hill's roundleaf bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae endemic to Papua New Guinea.

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

The fulvus roundleaf bat or fulvus leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

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

The big-eared roundleaf bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is endemic to Indonesia, known from Kangean Islands, southwestern Sulawesi and Seram Island. It roosts in caves and tree hollows and probably forages in woodland. It is threatened by habitat loss through logging and other human activities.

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

The Pomona roundleaf bat, Pomona leaf-nosed bat, or Andersen's leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae that is endemic to India.

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

Sorensen's leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae that is endemic to Indonesia.

<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">São Tomé leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

The São Tomé leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is endemic to the island of São Tomé, in the Gulf of Guinea off the western coast of Africa. The bat's natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and caves.

<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">Orbiculus leaf-nosed bat</span> Species of bat

The orbiculus leaf-nosed bat, also known as the orbiculus roundleaf bat and small disc roundleaf bat, is a species of bat from the family Hipposideridae. The species has been found on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia and on peninsular Malaysia.

<i>Hipposideros pendleburyi</i> Species of bat

Pendlebury's roundleaf bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It was previously considered a subspecies of H. turpis, but has now been raised to full species level. It is endemic to Thailand and is found in limestone karst areas.

The Khasian leaf-nosed bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is endemic to Meghalaya, India. It is a cave-dwelling bat.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Chakravarty, R.; Srinivasulu, B.; Srinivasulu, C. (2016). "Hipposideros hypophyllus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T10138A22092730. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T10138A22092730.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. Kock, D.; Bhat, H. R. (1994). "Hipposideros hypophyllus n. sp. of the H. bicolor-group from peninsular India (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Hipposideridae)". Senckenbergiana Biologica. 73 ((1–2)): 25–31.
  3. 1 2 3 Srinivasulu, B.; Srinivasulu, C.; Kaur, H. (2016). "Echolocation calls of the two endemic leaf-nosed bats (Chiroptera: Yinpterochiroptera: Hipposideridae) of India: Hipposideros hypophyllus Kock & Bhat, 1994 and Hipposideros durgadasi Khajuria, 1970". Journal of Threatened Taxa. 8 (14): 9667–9672. doi: 10.11609/jott.2783.8.14.9667-9672 .
  4. 1 2 3 Srinivasulu, B.; Srinivasulu, C.; Kaur, H.; Shah, T.A.; Devender, G; Srinivasulu, A. (2014). "The reassessment of the threatened status of the Indian endemic Kolar Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros hypophyllus Kock & Bhat, 1994 (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Hipposideridae)". Journal of Threatened Taxa. 6 (12): 6493–6501. doi: 10.11609/jott.o4117.6493-501 . Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  5. 1 2 Venkataraman, K.; Chattopadhyay, A.; Subramanian, K.A., eds. (2013). Endemic Animals of India (Vertebrates): 1-235+ 26 Plates. Kolkata: Zoological Survey of India. p. 10.
  6. Deepthi, Sanjiv (March 11, 2015). "Granite mining in Kolar endangers special bats". Bangalore Mirror. Bangalore. Retrieved November 9, 2017.