Greater large-eared horseshoe-bat
Greater large-eared
horseshoe-bat
©Bruce Thomson
Common name: Greater large-eared horseshoe-bat
Scientific name: Rhinolophus philippinensis
Animal group: Insectivorous bat
Conservation status: This species is listed as 'Endangered' in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992) and is 'Endangered' nationally (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
Distribution: North Queensland, from Townsville to Cape York. The smaller form (sometimes referred to as R. philippinensis achilles) is restricted to Iron Range and McIlwraith Range, Cape York.
Description: A horseshoe bat with very large ears and noseleaf. Its ear length distinguishes it from the eastern horseshoe-bat, Rhinolophus megaphyllus, which has smaller ears. Its fur is grey brown on the back and slightly lighter on the belly. There are two forms within this species that differ in size, echolocation call, and noseleaf structure. The larger of these forms occurs within the distribution of the smaller form in the McIlwraith and Iron Range. Genetic analysis indicates these forms do not differ at the species level. Size [large form]: Body weight: 8.3-16.2 [11.5-14.7]g.
Habitat: This species occurs in rainforest, gallery forest, tropical eucalypt woodland, Melaleuca forest with rainforest understorey, and open woodland. They forage within vegetation, at the edge of vegetation, and in gaps, flying within 0.5m of vegetation, but always below tree top height.
Threatening processes: Known threats to this bat are roost destruction and disturbance, two mines used by R. philippinensis as roosts have been disturbed or destroyed. The Paluma mine and Old Collingwood Mine at Shipton's flat were closed, destroying the roosts in the process. It is also suspected that roost disturbance from human visitation and over-collection from well-known colony sites is affecting the species.
Recovery actions:
- Survey known roost sites and search for new sites within known geographic range.
- Prevent the destruction and disturbance of roosts.
- Determine habitat and roost requirements, and reproductive biology.
Further information:
Duncan, A., Baker, G.B. and Montgomery, N. (Eds.). (1999) The Action Plan for Australian Bats. Environment Australia, Canberra.
Churchill, S. (1998) Australian bats. New Holland, Sydney.
Last updated: 31 August 2006