Why in News?
A global research team from Osmania University have identified and described a new species of bat.
- It is a new species of leaf-nosed bat species.
- Endemic to - Sri Lanka.
- Taxonomy
- Scientific Name – Hipposideros srilankaensis.
- Family – Hipposideridae.
- Named after –Its endemic nature to Sri Lanka.
- Habitat – Found in dense forests to caves.
- Morphology – A broad noseleaf, distinct ear shape, and cranial characteristics distinct from the Indian Hipposideros brachyotus.
- Uniqueness - Genetic analysis further confirmed its distinctiveness from other closely related species in the region.
Hipposideros brachyotus
- It is a species previously considered a subspecies of Hipposideros galeritus.
- The research confirmed that it is a distinct species endemic to India and reclassified it as Hipposideros brachyotus.
- Uniqueness – Genetic analysis further confirmed its distinctiveness from other known species in the region.
- Echolocation call analysis further supported its classification.
36 species of bats are found in India and that Hyderabad is home to 14 different species of bats.
References
- The Hindu| New Bat Species
- Zootaxa| Hipposideros Srilankaensis
