Griffin’s leaf- nosed Bat – Hipposideros griffini – Thong, Puechmaille, Denzinger, Dietz, Csorba, Bates, Teeling & Schnitzler, 2012

Science name: Hipposideros griffini – Thong, Puechmaille, Denzinger, Dietz, Csorba, Bates, Teeling & Schnitzler, 2012

Taxonomic:  Animalia>> Chordata>> Mammalia>> Chiroptera >> Hipposideridae >> griffini

Species status: Endemic ; IUCN status: NT (Near Threatened)

Description:

Physical Characteristics:
Size and Weight: Griffin’s Leaf-nosed Bat is relatively small, with a body length ranging from 5 to 6 centimeters and a weight between 10 to 15 grams. Despite its small size, it has a wingspan of about 25-30 centimeters, which facilitates agile flight in dense forest and cave environments.

Body and Fur: The species has short, dense fur, usually ranging in color from light brown to dark gray, providing camouflage in its natural forested and cave habitats. The coat is thick and soft, which helps with insulation.

Leaf-shaped Nose: A prominent feature of Hipposideros griffini is its elongated, leaf-shaped nose, which enhances its echolocation abilities. This specialized nose structure helps the bat emit and focus high-frequency sound waves, improving its ability to locate prey and navigate through the dark. The nose leaf is marked with intricate ridges and grooves, making it one of the most striking features of the species.

Eyes and Ears: The bat has large, round eyes well-adapted for nocturnal vision, allowing it to see in low-light conditions. Its relatively large ears are rounded at the tips, helping capture sound waves, which further enhances echolocation precision.

Wings: The bat’s wings are thin, membranous, and highly maneuverable, allowing it to make quick, agile movements while foraging in the forest or navigating through cave environments. The wings are supported by elongated fingers that provide structural support during flight.

Distribution and habitat:

Altitude:
Hipposideros griffini is found at elevations ranging from 148 to 656 meters above sea level.

Range:
This species has been recorded from three distinct national parks in Vietnam: Cat Ba, Chu Mom Ray, and Cat Tien. It is likely that Hipposideros griffini occurs in areas between these isolated locations, although further research is needed to confirm this. The species is endemic to Vietnam, where its distribution is highly fragmented and restricted to specific forested and limestone karst areas.

Habitat:
Hipposideros griffini is associated with both caves and forested habitats. The species is known to roost in caves, and a group of up to 30 individuals has been recorded in a cave in southern Vietnam. It is also observed foraging along forest trails under the canopy, typically in subtropical/tropical moist lowland and montane forests. The bat’s habitat is mainly undisturbed limestone karst forests in northern Vietnam, secondary forests in central Vietnam, and lowland forests in southern regions.

Behaviour and ecology:

Social Structure:
Hipposideros griffini is known to roost in colonies, with one observed group containing up to 30 individuals in a cave in southern Vietnam. While not much is known about its social structure, roosting in colonies provides thermoregulation benefits and protection from predators. The species is highly dependent on caves and other subterranean habitats for roosting.

Feeding Habits:
Griffin’s Leaf-nosed Bat is insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of insects such as beetles, moths, and flies. It relies on its advanced echolocation abilities to hunt, using its leaf-shaped nose to focus sound waves and detect prey in flight. The bat hunts primarily at night, foraging in forested areas along trails and under dense canopies.

Reproduction:
Mating usually occurs during the dry season, and females give birth to a single pup after a gestation period of around three to four months. The newborn bats are born hairless and dependent on their mothers for warmth and nourishment. Mothers nurse their pups until they are capable of flight and can hunt for food independently, usually after a few months. The species reaches sexual maturity at around one to two years of age.

Activity Patterns:
Hipposideros griffini is nocturnal, foraging at night and roosting during the day in caves or dense foliage. The species is well adapted to navigating dark environments using echolocation.

Conservation and status:

IUCN Red List Category and Criteria:
Hipposideros griffini is listed as Near Threatened under criteria A2c due to a decreasing population and habitat loss. The species is facing a continuous decline in its population and habitat quality due to various human activities.

Population Trend:
The population of Hipposideros griffini is decreasing, with its colonies becoming more fragmented. This decline is largely attributed to habitat destruction, including deforestation and disturbances at roosting sites.

Threats:
The main threats to Hipposideros griffini are habitat loss due to deforestation, limestone quarrying, and disturbances at roosting sites. The species is highly dependent on caves for roosting, making it vulnerable to human activities such as cave tourism and quarrying.

Conservation Actions:
Some populations of Hipposideros griffini are located within protected areas such as national parks, but more targeted conservation efforts are needed. Protecting key roosting sites, preserving forest habitats, and raising awareness about the bat’s ecological importance are vital for ensuring its survival.