Darling's horseshoe bat

Darling's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus darlingi) is a species of bat in the family Rhinolophidae found in Africa. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, caves, and subterranean habitats (other than caves).

Darling's horseshoe bat
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Rhinolophidae
Genus: Rhinolophus
Species:
R. darlingi
Binomial name
Rhinolophus darlingi
Darling's horseshoe bat range

Taxonomy

Darling's horseshoe bat was described as a new species in 1905 by Danish mammalogist Knud Andersen. The holotype had been collected in the village of Mazowe in Zimbabwe by James ffolliott Darling, who is the eponym for its species name "darlingi".[2]

Description

Darling's horseshoe bat is considered medium-sized for an African horseshoe bat, with a forearm length of 42–51 mm (1.7–2.0 in) and weights of 6–13 g (0.21–0.46 oz). It has soft, fluffy fur. The coloration on its back is gray or grayish-brown, while its belly is pale gray. It has a low aspect ratio and very low wing loading, meaning that its flight speed is likely slow but highly maneuverable.[3]

Range and habitat

Darling's horseshoe bat is widely distributed in southern Africa, where it has been documented in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It might also be found in Lesotho and Nigeria. It is mostly associated with savanna habitats. It roosts in caves, rocky outcrops, mines, and human structures.[1]

References
  1. Monadjem, A.; Taylor, P.J.; Jacobs, D.; Cotterill, F. (2017). "Rhinolophus darlingi". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T67369483A21981665. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T67369483A21981665.en.
  2. Andersen, A. (1905). "VI.—Further descriptions of new Rhinolophi from Africa". The Annals and Magazine of Natural History; Zoology, Botany, and Geology. 7. 15 (85): 70–72. doi:10.1080/03745480509443638.
  3. Cotterill, F. P. D.; Happold, M. (2013). Kingdon, J.; Happold, D.; Butynski, T.; Hoffmann, M.; Happold, M.; Kalina, J. (eds.). Mammals of Africa. 4. A&C Black. pp. 318–320. ISBN 9781408189962.
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