Hipposideros durgadasi, Khajuria, 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 : 253

69.

Durga Das’s Leaf-nosed Bat

Hipposideros durgadasi

French: Phyllorhine de Durga Das / German: Durga-Das-Rundblattnase I Spanish: Hiposidérido de Durga Das

Other common names: Khajuria's Leaf-nosed Bat

Taxonomy. Hipposideros cineraceus durgadosi Khajuria, 1970 ,

near Katungi village, Jabalpur District, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Hipposideros durgadasi was classified as a form of H. cineraceus , but is currently considered a distinct species. It was formerly included in the bicolor species group, but its position in the phylogeny is unknown and requires further study. Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from a few localities in N & S India, including Mirzapur district in Uttar Pradesh,Jabalpur district in Madhya Pradesh, and Kolar district in Karnataka.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 36-4-41-2 mm, tail 21-2-24-5 mm, ear 12-7-15 mm, hindfoot 5-1— 7 mm, forearm 34-4—37-5 mm. Ears and forearm of Durga Das’s Leafnosed Bat are larger than those of the Least Leaf-nosed Bat { H. cineraceus ). Noseleaf is simple with no supplementary leaflets. Anterior leaf has median emargination that presents short black hair. Intermediate leaf is smaller than anterior and posterior ones, and has a pair ofvibrissae on each side. Long black hair is present on convex upper edge of intermediate leaf. Posterior leaf has three septa that form three cells. Behind posterior leaf there are two pairs of vibrissae. Males present an unpronounced frontal sac, which is even less noticeable in females. On dorsum, fur is whitish or pale brown at base and brownish-reddish on distal portion; ventral pelage is creamcolored basally, pale brown distally.

Habitat. Tropical and subtropical dry forest habitats, at elevations of 347-1100 m.

Food and Feeding. Durga Das’s Leaf-nosed Bat is thought to forage in dry deciduous and thorn forests. It is an insectivorous species that feeds mainly on beedes, crickets, and other small insects.

Breeding. Maternity colonies are probably composed of several tens of individuals. Generation length is probably c.5 years.

Activity patterns. Durga Das’s Leaf-nosed Bat roosts in underground caves and artificial cave systems in hills, and under large granite blocks.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Durga Das’s Leaf-nosed Bat is gregarious, forming colonies of several individuals (usually more than 100). It has been reported in monospecific colonies but also as sharing its roost with other bat species, such as the Fulvus Leaf-nosed Bat (AE fulvus ), the Kolar Leaf-nosed Bat (AE hypophyllus ), Schneider’s Leaf-nosed Bat ( H. speoris ), and the Lesser Mouse-tailed Bat ( Rhinopoma hardwickiî).

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on 77zr IUCNRed List. Durga Das’s Leaf-nosed Bat was previously classified as Endangered, but recent reports in new localities have extended its range and led to a change in its category. Its estimated range of occurrence is currently 114,335 km 2 and its area of occupancy is estimated at less than 2000 km 2. One of the major threats to this species is granite extraction through illegal mining.

Bibliography. Bates & Harrison (1997), Kamalakannan eta/. (2018), Kaur eta/. (2014), Khajuria (1970), Mishra & Dookia (2016), Simmons (2005), Srinivasulu, C. eta/. (2010),Topal (1975).

Figures

67. Timor Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros crumeniferus), 68. Bornean Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros doriae), 69. Durga Das’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros durgadasi), 70. Dayak Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros dyacorum), 71. House-dwelling Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros einnaythu), 72. Andersen’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros gentilis), 73. Fulvus Leaf-nosed (Bat Hipposiderosfulvus), 74. Thailand Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros halophyllus), 75. Kolar Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros hypophyllus), 76. Phou Khao Khouay Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros khaokhouayensis), 77. Kunz’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros kunzi), 78. Big-eared Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros macrobullotus), 79. Maggie Taylor’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros maggietaylorae), 80. Malayan Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros nequam), 81. Nicobar Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros nicobarulae), 82. Philippine Forest Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros obscurus), 83. Orbiculus Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros orbiculus), 84. Biak Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros papua), 85. Pomona Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros pomona), 86. Philippine Pygmy Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros pygmaeus), 87. Ridley’s Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros ridleyi), 88. Laotian Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros rotalis)

Distribution. Known only from a few localities in N & S India , including Mirzapur district in Uttar Pradesh,Jabalpur district in Madhya Pradesh, and Kolar district in Karnataka.