Hipposideros papua, Thomas & Doria, 1886

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Hipposideridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 227-258 : 257

84.

Biak Leaf-nosed Bat

Hipposideros papua

French: Phyllorhine papoue / German: Biak-Rundblattnase / Spanish: Hiposidérido de Biak

Other common names: Biak Roundleaf Bat, Geelvink Bay Leaf-nosed Bat

Taxonomy. PhyUorhina papua Thomas & Doria, 1886 ,

“Rorido nell’ Isola di Misori [= Biak Island], Baja del Geelvink [= Cenderawasih Bay], nella N. Guinea [= Papua Province, Indonesia].”

Hipposideros papua was formerly included in the bicolor species group, but its position in the phylogeny is unclear and its taxonomy requires further study. Monotypic.

Distribution. Moluccas (Halmahera and Bacan), West Papuan Is (Gebe), Schouten Is (Numfor, Supiori, and Biak), and W New Guinea (Bird’s Head Peninsula).

Descriptive notes. Head—body 48-9—58-9 mm, tail 22-34-8 mm, ear 13-3—17-8 mm, hindfoot 6-5—7-7 mm, forearm 49-5—52-7 mm; weight 9-3—10-1 g. The Biak Leaf-nosed Bat has large triangular ears that are slighdy concave below tip. Anterior noseleaf is large, with three supplementary lateral leaflets (the third one very small or absent in some cases). Upper margin of posterior noseleaf is semicircular and has three vertical septa, which separate four cells on frontal surface. A frontal sac is present in males and absent in females. Pelage is dark brown on dorsum and paler on ventral part.

Habitat. The Biak Leaf-nosed Bat has been reported in primary tropical moist woodland habitats at elevations of 100-300 m.

Food and Feeding. The Biak Leaf-nosed Bat probably forages in primary forests. Its diet is based on insects.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Biak Leaf-nosed Bat roosts in caves. Call frequency of the F segment is c.123 kHz.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Biak Leaf-nosed Bat is gregarious and has been observed in caves roosting in small groups.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCNRed List. Although it occurs in a relatively small range, the Biak Leaf-nosed Bat is a relatively common species within this, and its population is thought to be stable. The main potential threats to this species might be roost disturbance and habitat degradation.

Bibliography. Bates, Rossiter eta/. (2007), Bonaccorso (1998), Helgen (2008b),Tate (1941a), Wiantoro (2011).

Figures

67. Timor Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros crumeniferus), 68. Bornean Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros doriae), 69. Durga Das’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros durgadasi), 70. Dayak Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros dyacorum), 71. House-dwelling Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros einnaythu), 72. Andersen’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros gentilis), 73. Fulvus Leaf-nosed (Bat Hipposiderosfulvus), 74. Thailand Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros halophyllus), 75. Kolar Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros hypophyllus), 76. Phou Khao Khouay Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros khaokhouayensis), 77. Kunz’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros kunzi), 78. Big-eared Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros macrobullotus), 79. Maggie Taylor’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros maggietaylorae), 80. Malayan Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros nequam), 81. Nicobar Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros nicobarulae), 82. Philippine Forest Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros obscurus), 83. Orbiculus Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros orbiculus), 84. Biak Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros papua), 85. Pomona Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros pomona), 86. Philippine Pygmy Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros pygmaeus), 87. Ridley’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros ridleyi), 88. Laotian Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros rotalis)

Distribution. Moluccas (Halmahera and Bacan), West Papuan Is (Gebe), Schouten Is (Numfor, Supiori, and Biak), and W New Guinea (Bird’s Head Peninsula).