Hipposideros srilankaensis a new species of bats endemic to Sri Lanka has been discovered and described by researchers from Osmania University in a global collaborative effort.
| Photo Credit: Special arrangement

HYDERABAD

A team of researchers led by Bhargavi Srinivasulu of Zoology Department of Osmania University here, have identified and described a new species of leaf-nosed bat from Sri Lanka.

The species named Hipposideros srilankaensis is endemic to Sri Lanka and represents a significant addition to the biodiversity of the region. This discovery, along with the taxonomic revision of the South Asian allies of Hipposideros galeritus, has been published in the international taxonomy journal Zootaxa.

The research was conducted in collaboration with bat biologists from Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand under C. Srinivasulu, head, Wildlife Biology and Taxonomy Lab, Osmania University. The team surveyed multiple locations collected samples and evidence to support their findings.

Hipposideros srilankaensis has unique morphological features, including a broad noseleaf, distinct ear shape, and cranial characteristics. Genetic analysis further confirmed its distinctiveness from other known species in the region, an official release from Osmania University stated.

In addition, the study re-evaluated the taxonomic status of Hipposideros brachyotus, a species previously considered a subspecies of Hipposideros galeritus. The research confirmed that H. brachyotus is a distinct species endemic to India, while the Sri Lankan population represents the newly described H. srilankaensis.

The study further revealed significant genetic divergence among populations of Hipposideros galeritus across Southeast Asia, suggesting the presence of cryptic species that warrant further investigation, they noted.

The research was a collaborative effort involving scientists from Osmania University, Zoological Survey of India, University of Ruhuna, Rajarata University, University of Colombo, Prince of Songkla University, and University of Reading.

The detailed study can be accessed on Zootaxa (DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5590.4.3)