Fig 1
Fig 2
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The Diadem Roundleaf Bat
is a widespread and adaptable species, occurring in a variety of forested
habitats.
This is amongst the largest of roundleaf bats in Southeast Asia, and is
easily identified by the presence of well-defined white or pale orange
patches of fur on the sides of its body and shoulders. The rest of the upper
body fur is a rich, dark brown colour, and the face and underparts pale.
When hunting, this bat typically hangs from a perch waiting to ambush large
insects, such as moths, as they fly past. Other insects consumed may include
those with a thick exoskeleton such as beetles, weevils and katydids : the
soft parts of such insects are consumed and the inedible parts, such as
wings, carapace and legs are discarded below the perch.
The species makes use of a variety of roosts including treeholes, caves or
the shelter of large-leaved palms. Large caves may shelter
maternity roosts numbering in their thousands.
The Diadem Roundleaf Bat occurs in Burma, Thailand, Indochina (Vietnam,
Laos, Cambodia) and Peninsular Malaysia. It has never been recorded in
Singapore, but occurs in Sumatra, Java, Borneo and many parts of eastern
Indonesia to New Guinea. It also occurs in the Philippines and parts of the
eastern Pacific (including parts of Australia). Fifteen subspecies are
recognised.
Fig 1 : A Diadem Roundleaf Bat hangs suspended from a narrow
twig whilst waiting for insect prey to fly past.
Fig 2 : Underside of the same specimen.
Both images
photographed in lowland, primary forest at Langkawi, Peninsular
Malaysia.
Order : CHIROPTERA
Family : Hipposideridae
Species : Hipposideros diadema
Forearm Length : up to 8.7 cm
Weight : up to 47 grams
References : M4, M5
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