81.

Nicobar Leaf-nosed Bat

Hipposideros nicobarulae

French: Phyllorhine des Nicobar / German: Nikobaren-Rundblattnase / Spanish: Hiposidérido de Nicobar

Other common names: Nicobar Roundleaf Bat

Taxonomy. Hipposideros nicobarulae G. S. Miller, 1902,

“Little Nicobar Island,” India.

Hipposideros nicobarulae is in the ater species group, and was previously considered a subspecies of H. ater . Based on detailed morphometric and craniodental studies, it was raised to species level by B. Douangboubpha and colleagues in 2011. Monotypic.

Distribution. Nicobar Is, India.

Descriptive notes. Ear 15-19 mm, forearm 38-42 mm. Noseleaf of the Nicobar Leafnosed Bat is without lateral supplementary leaflet. Anterior leaf has deep emargination. Intemarial septum is swollen, broader at base and narrower at tip. Rostrum is inflated but only moderately. P2 is small and extruded. Baculum is very small, with a curved shaft and simple base and tips.

Habitat. No information.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Nicobar Leaf-nosed Bat has been found roosting in caves and deserted buildings.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List as a separate species from the Dusky Leaf-nosed Bat ( H. ater), which is classified as Least Concern.

Bibliography. Douangboubpha, Bumrungsri, Satasook et al. (2011), Douangboubpha, Bumrungsri, Soisook, Murray et al. (2010), Corbet & Hill (1992), Simmons (2005)