Ethiopian large-eared roundleaf bat

The Ethiopian large-eared roundleaf bat (Hipposideros megalotis) is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, caves, and hot deserts.

Ethiopian large-eared roundleaf bat
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Chiroptera
Family:	Hipposideridae
Genus:	Macronycteris
Species:	H. megalotis
Binomial name
Hipposideros megalotis (Heuglin, 1862)
Ethiopian large-eared roundleaf bat range
Synonyms
Phyllorrhina megalotis Heuglin, 1862 Phyllorhina megalotis Heuglin, 1862

Taxonomy and etymology

It was described as a new species in 1862 by German ornithologist Theodor von Heuglin. Von Heuglin placed it in the now-defunct genus Phyllorrhina (misspelling of Phyllorhina), with a scientific name of Phyllorrhina megalotis.^[2] Its species name "megalotis" means "long-eared."

Biology and range

It is nocturnal, roosting in sheltered places during the day such as man-made structures. It also possibly uses caves for roosts.^[1] It has been found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia. It has been found at elevations up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).^[1]

Conservation

It is currently assessed as least concern by the IUCN—its lowest conservation priority.^[1]