Hipposideros cineraceus, Blyth, 1853

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Hipposideridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 227-258 : 250

65.

Least Leaf-nosed Bat

Hipposideros cineraceus

French: Petite Phyllorhine / German: Aschgraue Rundblattnase / Spanish: Hiposidérido pequeno

Other common names: Ashy Leaf-nosed Bat, Ashy Roundleaf Bat, Least Roundleaf Bat

Taxonomy. Hipposideros cineraceus Blyth, 1853 ,

near Pind Dadan Khan, Salt Range, Punjab, Pakistan.

Hipposideros cineraceus was formerly included in the bicolor species group, but is now placed in the new ater species group. Taxonomic revision of specimens referred to this species is needed; it may prove to comprise more taxa, with at least one undescribed species. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

H.c.cineraceusBlyth,1853—NPakistan,NIndia,mainlandSEAsia,MalayPeninsula(includingLangkawiI),Sumatra,KrakatauI,Borneo,andKangeanIs.

H. c. wrightiK. H. Taylor, 1934 -Luzon I, Philippines.

Descriptive notes. Forearm 32—36 mm. Noseleaf of the Least Leaf-nosed Bat is narrow, pink or pale brown in color, and lacks supplementary leaflet. Intemarial septum is parallel-sided. Pelage is buffy brown or pale brown, with whitish bases. Skull is small with rostral chambers not inflated. P3 is small and slightly or fully extruded from tooth row. Baculum is very small, 1-8-2, 5 mm in length, shaft being narrow and straight with blunt base and bifid tip. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 32 and FN = 60.

Habitat. The Least Leaf-nosed Bat forages in forest gaps or along trails in understory of various types of forest, from primary lowland rainforest at sea level to dry evergreen and mixed deciduous forests, mangrove or bamboo forests, secondary or disturbed forests, or hill forest up to 1480 m. It is common in limestone karst throughout its range.

Food and Feeding. The Least Leaf-nosed Bat can be found commuting through orchards and rubber and oil-palm plantations from its roosts to its foraging grounds. It feeds on small insects in the forest understory.

Breeding. In Malay Peninsula, females were found pregnant in April, June and September. Females give birth to a single offspring in March; peak lactation is between April and June.

Activity patterns. The Least Leaf-nosed Bat roosts in caves, rock crevices, old buildings, abandoned mines, underground pipes or hollow trees. Call frequency of the F segment is 134—156 kHz.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Least Leaf-nosed Bat roosts in small groups of a few individuals to a colony size of up to a few hundred, in caves. In large caves, it can be found together with Kunz’s Leaf-nosed Bats ( H. kunzi ), Bicolored Leaf-nosed Bats ( H. bicolor ), Great Himalayan Leaf-nosed Bats ( H. armiger ), Horsfield’s Leaf-nosed Bats ( H. larvatus ), Diadem Leaf-nosed Bats ( H. diadema ), and Pendlebury’s Leaf-nosed Bats (77. pendleburyi ).

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on 77w IUCN Red List. The Least Leaf-nosed Bat is a widespread species. Potential threats include habitat loss and unregulated tourism.

Bibliography. Corbet & Hill (1992), Csorba, Bumrungsri, Francis, Bates, Gumal & Kingston (2008b), Douangboubpha, Bumrungsri, Soisook, Murray et al. (2010), Douangboubpha, Bumrungsri, Soisook, Satasook et al. (2010), Heaney et al. (1998), Kingston et al. (2006), Phillipps & Phillipps (2016), Simmons (2005).

Figures

47. Short-tailed Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros curtus), 49. Aellen’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros marisae), 50. Schneider’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros speoris), 51. Spurred Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros calcaratus), 52. Fawn-colored Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros ceruinus), 53. Cox’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros coxi), 54. Cantor’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros galeritus), 55. Aba Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros abae), 56. Benito Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros beatus), 57. Sundevall’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros caffer), 58. Sooty Leaf-nosed (Bat Hipposiderosfuliginosus), 59. Lamotte’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros lamottei), 60. Noack’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros ruber), 61. Maghreb Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros tephrus), 62. Dusky Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros ater), 63. Bicolored Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros bicolor), 64. Short-headed Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros breviceps), 65. Least Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros cineraceus), 66. Large Mindanao Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros coronatus)

Subspecies and Distribution. H.c.cineraceusBlyth,1853—NPakistan,NIndia,mainlandSEAsia,MalayPeninsula(includingLangkawiI),Sumatra,KrakatauI,Borneo,andKangeanIs. H. c. wrightiK. H. Taylor, 1934 -Luzon I, Philippines .