Hipposideros obscurus (Peters, 1861)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Hipposideridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 227-258 : 256-257

82.

Philippine Forest Leaf-nosed Bat

Hipposideros obscurus

French: Phyllorhine obscure / German: Philippinen-Rundblattnase / Spanish: Hiposidérido filipino

Other common names: Philippines Forest Roundleaf Bat

Taxonomy. Phyllorhina obscura Peters, 1861 ,

“Paracali [= Paracali, Camarines Norte Province], Luzon,” Philippines.

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

Distribution. Endemic to Philippines.

Descriptive notes. Head-body c.53-58 mm, tail 19-24 mm, ear 18-22 mm, hindfoot 10-12 mm, forearm 42-48 mm; weight 7-12 g. Males are larger than females. On the dorsal side, pelage of the Philippine Forest Leaf-nosed Bat is dark brown at tips and base, paler in middle of each hair; on ventral side, pelage is darker at base and paler at tips; pelage on head often has reddish hue. Noseleaf is broad; two pairs of leaflets are distinctly present, lateral to anterior noseleaf. Chromosomal complement has 2n = 24 and FN = 44.

Habitat. The Philippine Forest Leaf-nosed Bat forages in primary and disturbed forest from lowland to montane and mossy forest up to 1100 m.

Food and Feeding. The Philippine Forest Leaf-nosed Bat is usually found feeding on insects, in the understory of lowland forest.

Breeding. Females give birth to a single offspring.

Activity patterns. The Philippine Forest Leaf-nosed Bat roosts in caves, mine shafts, hollow trees and logs, and among tree buttresses. Call frequency is 138-145 kHz.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCNRed List. The Philippine Forest Leaf-nosed Bat is rather common throughout its range. Forest conversion may be causing the population to decrease but in general it is not currently at risk. It is found in several protected areas.

Bibliography. Corbet & Hill (1992), Heaney, Balete, Ong, Rosell-Ambal, Tabaranza & Gomez (2008), Sedlock (2001), Simmons (2005).

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. Endemic to Philippines .