| Halcyon horseshoe bat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Rhinolophidae |
| Genus: | Rhinolophus |
| Species: | R. alcyone |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhinolophus alcyone Temminck, 1852 | |
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| Halcyon Horseshoe Bat range | |
Thehalcyon horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus alcyone) is a species ofbat in the familyRhinolophidae. It is found inCameroon,Republic of the Congo,Democratic Republic of the Congo,Ivory Coast,Equatorial Guinea,Ghana,Guinea,Kenya,Liberia,Nigeria,Senegal,South Sudan,Togo,Uganda, possiblyGabon, and possiblySierra Leone. Its natural habitats aresubtropical and tropical dry andmoist lowland forest, moistsavanna, caves, and other subterranean habitats.
The halcyon horseshoe bat wasdescribed as a new species in 1852 by Dutch zoologistCoenraad Jacob Temminck. Theholotype had been collected by Dutch zoologistHendrik Pel.[2] Thetype locality was given as Boutry river, Ghana. As the genusRhinolophus is very speciose, it has been divided intospecies groups. The halcyon horseshoe bat is part of theR. landeri species group.[3]
Individuals have a forearm length of 48–56 mm (1.9–2.2 in) and weigh 14–23 g (0.49–0.81 oz). It is considered medium-sized for an African horseshoe bat. The fur of its back is dark or medium brown, while its belly fur is paler. Alternately, some individuals have pale brown to orangeish-red fur.[3] The dramatic color differences correspond to eastern and western populations of the species, which may lead to a reevaluation of their taxonomic statuses.[1]
Its diet and reproductive patterns are unknown, but four pregnant females were documented in February in Ivory Coast. While roosting it may be solitary or in small groups. It is affected by fly parasitesPhthiridium inopinatum, anycteribiid, andRaymondia allisoni, astreblid.[3]
The halcyon horseshoe bat is distributed widely throughout Central and Western Africa. It is Sub-Saharan, with the southernmost extent of its range in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Though there is a record of it from Gabon, it is possible that this is a mistaken identification of aforest horseshoe bat. Its habitat includes forests and savannas.[1] During the day, it roosts in sheltered places like caves, hollow logs, mines, or rarely, huts.[3]
