Rhinolophus proconsulis, Hill, 1959

Burgin, Connor, 2019, Rhinolophidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 9 Bats, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 280-332 : 319

81 . Bornean Woolly Horseshoe Bat

Rhinolophus proconsulis

French: Rhinolophe proconsul I German: Wollhaarige Borneo-Hufeisennase I Spanish: Herradura lanoso de Borneo

Other common names: Proconsul's Horseshoe Bat

Taxonomy. Rhinolophus arcuatus proconsulis Hill, 1959 ,

“ Bungoh Cave, Bau, 1st. Division , Sarawak,” Borneo, Malaysia.

Rhinolophus proconsulis is included in the euryotis species group although its phylogenetic affinities are uncertain. Based on morphometries, L. E. Patrick and colleagues in 2013 recently recognized it as distinct from R. arcuatus , as were R. mcintyrei and R. belligerator , thus leaving R. arcuatus with a much smaller range, mainly in the Philippines; however, not all populations were accounted for in this study, including those in Sumatra, which may be closer to R.proconsulis , but are here tentatively retained in R. arcuatus . Monotypic.

Distribution. W Borneo (SW Sarawak); apparently also in Central and East Kalimantan, although the exact locality of records is uncertain.

Descriptive notes. Forearm 46-3-48- 3 mm. The Bornean Woolly Horseshoe Bat is similar overall to the Arcuate Horseshoe Bat (. arcuatus ) and the Poso Horseshoe Bat (. belligerator ). Dorsal pelage is dark brown (hairs grayish at base), whereas ventral pelage is pale brown with faint gray tinge. Ears are moderately long. Noseleaf has straight-sided lancet with pointed tip; connecting process is arcuate, forming semicircle; sella is broadly ovate and wide basally, being slightly narrower than intemarial cup for much of its length before tapering slightly toward rounded tip; horseshoe is relatively wide, nearly covers muzzle, and has slight median emargination. Lower lip has three mental grooves. Skull is relatively slender; braincase is elongate and slightly inflated; interorbital region is abruptly narrowed; anterior median swellings are well developed and circular in outline; posterior swellings are less pronounced but still defined; nasal swellings are slightly smaller overall than in the Arcuate Horseshoe Bat; rostral profile is distinctly concave in lateral view; sagittal crest is moderately developed; frontal depression is very shallow; supraorbital crests are slightly developed; canines are relatively slender and slightly curved (larger and more massive than in McIntyre’s Horseshoe Bat (. mcintyrei ). P2 is small and in tooth row; P3 is very small and completely extruded from tooth row.

Habitat. The caves in which the Bornean Woolly Horseshoe Bat has been captured are generally surrounded by remnant forests or various plantations.

Food and Feeding. The Bornean Woolly Horseshoe Bat appears to forage for insects in dense vegetation.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Bornean Woolly Horseshoe Bat roosts in limestone caves.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCNed List. The Bornean Woolly Horseshoe Bat is currently restricted to nine localities and appears to be rare within its restricted and scattered distribution. It is likely to be threatened by general roost disturbance, along with the deforestation that is rampant in Borneo.

Bibliography. Azhar et al. (2009), Hill (1959), Jub et al. (2003), Mohd-Azlan et al. (2005), Pàthe et al. (2005), Patrick & Ruedas (2017c), Patrick et al. (2013), Rahman et al. (2011), Struebig et al. (2010).

Figures

On following pages: 78. New Guinea Broad-eared Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus euryotis); 79. Sulawesi Broad-eared Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus tatah; 80. Poso Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus belligerator); 81. Bornean Woolly Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus proconsulis); 82. Arcuate Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus arcuatus); 83. Philippine Forest Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus inops); 84. Small Rufous Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus subrufus); 85. Large Rufous Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus rufus); 86. Intermediate Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus affinis); 87. Homfray's Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus andamanensis); 88. Croslet Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus coelophyllus); 89. Shamel's Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus shameli); 90. Vietnamese Brown Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus microglobosus); 91. Lesser Brown Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus stheno).

Distribution. W Borneo (SW Sarawak ); apparently also in Central and East Kalimantan, although the exact locality of records is uncertain.