Hipposideros grandis G. M. Allen 1936

31.

Grand Leaf-nosed Bat

Hipposideros grandis

French: Grande Phyllorhine / German: Grosse Rundblattnase / Spanish: Hiposidérido grande

Other common names: Grand Roundleaf Bat

Taxonomy. Hipposideros larvatits grandis G. M. Allen, 1936,

“Akanti [= Hkamti], upper Chindwin River, Upper Burma [= Myanmar], 500 feet [= 152 m].”

Hipposideros grandis is in the larvatus species group (5 species). Taxonomic status of this species needs further revision for the clarification of differentiating characters and geographic limits with H. larvatus, particularly the taxon leptophyllus of Assam, north-east India. Monotypic.

Distribution. S China (Yunnan), Myanmar, NW Thailand, N Laos, and NW Vietnam.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 69-80 mm, tail 30-45 mm, ear 22-23 mm, hindfoot 10-15 mm, forearm 59-62 mm; weight 17-18 g. The Grand Leaf-nosed Bat is very similar to Horsfield’s Leaf-nosed Bat {H. larvatus) but generally larger. Pelage is dark brown to orange-reddish brown. There are three supplementary leaflets on each side of noseleaf. Thickened and swollen structure behind posterior leaf is well defined in males. Skull is generally similar to that of Horsfield’s Leaf-nosed Bat, but rather heavily built. Rostral chambers are gready inflated with a pronounced supraorbital depression. C1 and! are large. P2 is small and extruded from tooth row.

Habitat. The Grand Leaf-nosed Bat can be found in primary forest to semideciduous forest, and disturbed habitats such as orchards. It forages in vegetation around limestone outcrops, in forest understory and open spaces in orchards.

Food and Feeding. The Grand Leaf-nosed Bat feeds on insects in forest understory.

Breeding. In Myanmar, females were found lactating in April-May.

Activity patterns. The Grand Leaf-nosed Bat roosts in limestone caves. Echolocation calls typically have F components terminating with a FM tail. Based on data from upper Myanmar, near the type locality, the frequency of the F part is 86-91 kHz.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. In upper Myanmar, the Grand Leafnosed Bat forms small to very large colonies of up to 300 individuals, in caves. Other species that were found in the same roosting cave include the Indian Leaf-nosed Bat (H. lankadiva) and unknown small Rhinolophus.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Although the taxonomic status remains unclear, and it is usually confused with Horsfield’s Leafnosed Bat, the Grand Leaf-nosed Bat is believed to be widespread in Indochina.

Bibliography. Bates, Bumrungsri, Francis & Csorba (2016), Corbet & Hill (1992), Dobson (1874), Francis (20.08a), Lekagul & McNeely (1988), Simmons (2005),Thabah eta/. (2006)