Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
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Order : CHIROPTERA
Family : Hipposideridae
Species : Hipposideros diadema
Forearm Length : up to 8.7 cm
Weight : up to 47 grams
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.
On mainland Southeast Asia this species occurs in Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam,
Laos, Cambodia and Peninsular Malaysia. It has never been recorded in
Singapore. In insular Southeast Asia it occurs on the islands of Sumatra, Java, Borneo and many
islands of eastern
Indonesia to New Guinea. It also occurs in the Philippines and parts of the
eastern Pacific (including parts of Australia). Many subspecies are
recognised.
Fig 1 : A Diadem Roundleaf Bat hangs suspended from a narrow
twig along a forest trail, whilst waiting for insect prey to fly past. Seen
at Langkawi Island, Peninsular Malaysia.
Fig 2 : Underside of the same specimen.
Fig 3: Lowland, primary forest on the island of Langkawi, where the above images
of Hipposideros diadema were taken.
Fig 4 : Roosting group at Niah cave complex, Sarawak, Borneo. Photo thanks
to Gloria Seow.
Fig 5 : Close-up of the complex noseleaf, and the three 'lateral leaflets'
(which in this image are to the left of the eye). Photo thanks to Gloria
Seow.
References : M4, M5
Links :
- Gloria Seow
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