Philippine pygmy roundleaf bat
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Hipposideridae
Genus: Hipposideros
Species:
H. pygmaeus
Binomial name
Hipposideros pygmaeus
(Waterhouse, 1843)
Philippine pygmy roundleaf bat range
Synonyms
  • Rhinolophus pygmaeus Waterhouse, 1843

The Philippine pygmy roundleaf bat (Hipposideros pygmaeus), also called the Philippine pygmy leaf-nosed bat, is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is endemic to the Philippines, where it has been recorded on Bohol, Luzon (Camarines Sur and Rizal provinces), Marinduque, Negros, Panay, and Mindanao (in Surigao del Sur).

Taxonomy and etymology

It was described as a new species in 1843 by English naturalist George Robert Waterhouse. Waterhouse placed it in the genus Rhinolophus with a scientific name of Rhinolophus pygmaeus. The holotype had been collected by Hugh Cuming. The species name "pygmaeus" is Latin for "small." Waterhouse described it as "a small species."[2]

Distribution and conservation

The Philippine pygmy roundleaf bat is found in several islands along the Philippines. It is found mostly in caves and non-aquatic subterranean locations, along with general forests. Specimens have been found in limestone caves and near or in lowland forests. Though forestation and mining is harmful, it is now thought that the bats are more tolerant to disturbance than once believed. Locally in the area, it is also hunted and trapped for food, though those actions do not heavily harm the species.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Sedlock, J.; Alviola, P.A.; Alvarez, J.; Fidelino, J.; Gatan-Balbas, M.; Pedregosa, M.; Veluz, M.J.; Jakosalem, P.G.; Tanalgo, K. (2019). "Hipposideros pygmaeus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T10156A22102078. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T10156A22102078.en. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. Waterhouse, G. R. (1843). "Various species of Bats from the Philippine Islands, collected by Hugh Cuming, Esq". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. 11: 67–68.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.