Doryrhina stenotis (Thomas, 1913)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Hipposideridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 227-258 : 231-232

11.

Northern Leaf-nosed Bat

Doryrhina stenotis

French: Phyllorhine à oreilles fines / German: Nördliche Rundblattnase / Spanish: Doryrina nortena

Other common names: Narrow-eared Leaf-nosed Bat, Narrow-eared Roundleaf Bat

Taxonomy. Hipposideros stenotis Thomas, 1913 ,

“Mary River,” Northern Territory, Australia.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to Australia, including NE Western Australia, N Northern Territory, and NW Queensland (Mt Isa); also on several offshore Is such as Boongaree, Koolan, and Bathurst Is.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 40-46 mm, tail 26-27 mm, ear 19-21 mm, forearm 42—46 mm; weight 4-6-6-4 g. The Northern Leaf-nosed Bat is very similar to Semon’s Leaf-nosed Bat { D. semoni ), but considerably smaller. Both species present complex noseleafwith two supplementary leaflets: anterior leaflet is short and broad, and posterior leaflet extends beneath anterior leaf onto upper lip. The Northern Leaf-nosed Bat also presents processes in intermediate and posterior leaves, but differs by having median process of posterior leaf less prominent. Ears are long with pointed tips, and rostral eminences are moderately inflated. Fur is brownish dorsally, paler ventrally.

Habitat. The Northern Leaf-nosed Bat occurs at low densities and occupies a wide variety of habitats. It has been recorded in areas with sandstone cliffs, escarpments, gorges and waterholes, tall open forest, floodplains, and open meadows. Elevational range is unknown.

Food and Feeding. The Northern Leaf-nosed Bat forages both in woodland and on open hilly plains, flying slowly with frequent changes of direction and great ability to maneuver. It mainly hunts flying insects close to the vegetation.

Breeding. Between October and January, females give birth to a single young. Northern Leaf-nosed Bats form maternity colonies.

Activity patterns. The Northern Leaf-nosed Bat can roost in sandstone and limestone caves, abandoned mines, crevices and boulder caves. It is thought that this species prefers low humidity, roosting near to cave entrances. This species emits echolocation calls at 102-106 kHz.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Northern Leaf-nosed Bats have been observed roosting alone, in pairs, or in small maternity colonies of 6-12 individuals.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List (as Hipposideros stenotis ). Population size and trends are unknown; population is probably not greatly fragmented and is not declining markedly. No major threats are known, although destruction and disturbance of roosts are increasing. Habitat loss and degradation might also be significant, as well as reported predation by feral cats.

Bibliography. Churchill (2008), Duncan et al. (1999), Flannery & Colgan (1993), Hourigan (2011), Menkhorst & Knight (2001), Milne & Hall (2008), Schulz & Menkhorst (1986), Thomson & McKenzie (2008), Woinarski et al. (2014).

Figures

1. Arabian Trident Leaf-nosed Bat (Asellia arabica), 2. Somalian Trident Leaf-nosed Bat (Asellia italosomalica), 3. Patrizi’s Trident Leaf-nosed Bat (Asellia patrizii), 4. Geoffroy’s Trident Leaf-nosed Bat (Asellia tridens), 5. Greater Leaf-nosed Bat (Doryrhina camerunensis), 6. Telefomin Leaf-nosed Bat (Doryrhina corynophyllus), 7. Cyclops Leaf-nosed Bat (Doryrhina cyclops), 8. Hill’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Doryrhina edwardshilli), 9. Fly River Leaf-nosed Bat (Doryrhina muscinus), 10. Semon’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Doryrhina semoni), 11. Northern Leaf-nosed Bat (Doryrhina stenotis), 12. Wollaston’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Doryrhina wollastoni), 13. Commerson’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Macronycteris commersonii), 14. Madagascar Cryptic Leaf-nosed Bat (Macronycteris cryptovalorona), 15. Giant Leaf-nosed Bat Macronycteris gigas rench: (Phyllorhine géante), 16. Sao Tome Leaf-nosed Bat Macronycteris thomensis rench: Phyllorhine de (Sao Tomé), 17. Striped Leaf-nosed Bat (Macronycteris vittatus), 18. Dong Bac Trident Bat (Aselliscus dongbacanus), 19. Stoliczka’s Trident Bat (Aselliscus stoliczkanus), 20. Temminck’s Trident Bat (Aselliscus tricuspidatus), 21. East Asian Tailless Leaf-nosed (Bat Coelopsfrithii), 22. Malayan Tailless Leaf-nosed Bat (Coelops robinsoni), 23. Solomons Leaf-nosed Bat (Anthops omatus)

Distribution. Endemic to Australia , including NE Western Australia, N Northern Territory, and NW Queensland (Mt Isa); also on several offshore Is such as Boongaree, Koolan, and Bathurst Is.