| Kolar leaf-nosed bat | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The bat at its only known roost in Hanumanahalli, Kolar, Karnataka | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Chiroptera |
| Family: | Hipposideridae |
| Genus: | Hipposideros |
| Species: | H. hypophyllus |
| Binomial name | |
| Hipposideros hypophyllus Kock & Bhat, 1994 | |
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| Kolar leaf-nosed bat range | |
TheKolar leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros hypophyllus), orleafletted leaf-nosed bat is a species ofbat in the familyHipposideridae. It isendemic toIndia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and caves. It is found in only one cave in India, and its population is less than 200 individuals.
This species wasdescribed in 1994.[2] TheHipposideros bats ofSouth Asia are divided into closely relatedspecies groups. The Kolar leaf-nosed bat is placed in the"bicolor" species group, which is characterized by the absence of secondary leaflets on theirnose-leaves and a forearm length of 33–44 mm (1.3–1.7 in).[3]It is most closely related toCantor's roundleaf bat and thefawn leaf-nosed bat; these three species form aclade in the genusHipposideros.[4]
Its forearm is 38–49 mm (1.5–1.9 in) long.[3]The fur on its back is variable in color, with some individuals' hairs tipped with grayish-brown, while others' hairs are tipped with rufous brown. Fur on the ventral surface is tipped in white orfulvous-white. Itsnose-leaf has two supplementary leaflets that project from underneath the sides of the front nose-leaf.[5] Its ears are 16.7–17.7 mm (0.66–0.70 in) long; its tail is 23.3–24.3 mm (0.92–0.96 in) long; its hind feet are 6.7–6.9 mm (0.26–0.27 in); its nose-leaf is 5.5–5.8 mm (0.22–0.23 in) wide.[4]
Itecholocates at 103–105.3kHz.[3] During the day, it roosts in caves.It has been documented sharing a roost site with several other species of bat, includingKhajuria's leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros durgadasi),fulvus roundleaf bat (Hipposideros fulvus), andSchneider's leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros speoris). It accumulates fat in the winter months, suggesting that it may usetorpor in colder months.[1] Pregnant and lactating females have been observed late in the summer.[4]
It is known from only one cave in Hanumanahalli village in theKolar district of the state ofKarnataka in India.[1] Its cave is described as an inaccessibly narrow opening in granite rocks.[5] Previously, it was known from a nearby cave in Therahalli village, but it is absent from that cave as of 2014. It has not been encountered at elevations above 570 m (1,870 ft). The habitat surrounding its single remaining cave consists of tropical dryshrubland.[1]
It is currently evaluated ascritically endangered by theIUCN. The Kolar leaf-nosed bat is found in only one cave, and its population is less than 200 individuals. Its single cave is not on protected land, and the species itself is not protected by Indian law. Its habitat is under threat due to illegal granite mining. Granite miners have driven them out of at least two caves by setting fires; the fires make granite extraction easier. As reported in 2014, there was a temporary mining ban on the cave where this species is still found. Its critically endangered listing occurred in 2016; from 2004–2016, it was listed asEndangered. From 2000–2004 it was listed asVulnerable, and from 1996–2000, it was listed asNear Threatened.[6] There had been petitions to protect the species under theIndian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, as all bats in India were consideredvermin with the exception of two species[7] until 2022. In 2022, theIndian Wildlife Protection Act was amended to add four more bat species, including the Kolar leaf-nosed bat,[8] toSchedule I, allowing it the highest legal protection in the country.
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