Hipposideros inornatus, McKean, 1970

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2019, Hipposideridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 227-258 : 242

43.

Amhem Leaf-nosed Bat

Hipposideros inornatus

French: Phyllorhine de lArnhem / German: Arnhem-Rundblattnase / Spanish: Hiposidérido de Arnhem

Other common names: Arnhem Roundleaf Bat, McKean's Leaf-nosed Bat

Taxonomy. Hipposideros diadema inomatus McKean, 1970 ,

“Deaf Adder Creek, where it emerges from the Arnhem Land Plateau, 55 miles [= 89 km] due south of Oenpelli, N.T. [= Northern Territory, Australia], lat. 13°06’S. long. 132°56’E.”

Hipposideros inomatus is in the diadema species group. It has often been considered a subspecies of H. diadema , with opinions frequently changing. Further genetic analyses are needed to clarify the taxonomy of this taxon. Monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to a small area in N Northern Territory, N Australia, including few sites in Kakadu National Park and its surroundings, as well as a cave in Litchfield National Park.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 66-77 mm, tail 32-46 mm, ear 23-27 mm, forearm 68-74 mm; weight 22-35 g. The Amhem Leaf-nosed Bat has wide triangular ears, long tail, and well-developed noseleaf. Anterior leaf is large and presents 3—4 pairs of supplementary lateral leaflets. Posterior leaf is also large, with three vertical septa that form four noticeable cells on frontal surface. Its fur is brownish or grayish-brownish on dorsum, occasionally orange; paler on ventral part.

Habitat. The Arnhem Leaf-nosed Bat has been reported in sandstone areas, close to streams, riparian forests and secondary forest.

Food and Feeding. Diet of the Amhem Leaf-nosed bat is based on insects, predominantly moths, beetles, leafhoppers, and cockroaches. It is thought to forage close to cliffs and in many different habitats such as riparian forest, rainforest, eucalypt forest, and open sandy areas.

Breeding. The breeding biology of this species is still unknown. At the moment, only few breeding colonies have been reported, all of them in caves. Amhem Leaf-nosed Bats are estimated to become sexually mature at c.1-2 years; generation length may be c.6-7 years.

Activity patterns. The Amhem Leaf-nosed Bat typically roosts in cool, humid caves and unused mines.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. In 2014, J. C. Z. Woinarski and colleagues estimated the area of occurrence for the Amhem Leaf-nosed Bat at 2100 km 2, but 10 km 2 when considering only caves and mines. This species is thought to be gregarious, forming groups in different caves.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on 77ze IUCN Red List, due to its restricted range and few known roosting sites. In Australia, the Amhem Leaf-nosed Bat is protected under law. Its total population size is unknown, but probably does not exceed a total of 300 individuals. Some authors claim that this rare species is stable and secure within its home range, whereas others affirm that it is declining, although not strongly. Habitat loss and disturbance of its roosting sites could be threatening its populations.

Bibliography. Churchill (2008), Duncan et al. (1999), McKean (1970), Richards & Milne (2008), Woinarski (2004), Woinarski et al. (2014).

Figures

24. Large-eared Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros megalotis), 25. Boeadi’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros boeadii), 26. Ha Long Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros alongensis), 27. Great Himalayan Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros armiger), 28. Griffin’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros griffoni), 29. Pendlebury’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros pendleburyi), 30. Lesser Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros turpis), 31. Grand Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros grandis), 32. Horsfield’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros larvatus), 33. Maduran Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros madurae), 34. Sorensen’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros sorenseni), 35. Sumban Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros sumbae), 36. Shield-faced Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros lylei), 37. Pratt’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros pratti), 38. Shield-nosed Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros scutinares), 39. Makira Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros demissus), 40. Diadem Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros diadema), 41. Fierce Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros dinops), 42. Crested Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros inexpectatus), 43. Amhem Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros inomatus), 44. Indian Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros lankadiva), 45. Large Asian Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros lekaguli), 46. Peleng Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros pelingensis)

Distribution. Endemic to a small area in N Northern Territory, N Australia , including few sites in Kakadu National Park and its surroundings, as well as a cave in Litchfield National Park.