Large Asian roundleaf bat


The large Asian roundleaf bat is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is found in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. The specific name commemorates Thai zoologist and conservationist Boonsong Lekagul.

Taxonomy and etymology

It was described as a new speccies in 1974 by Thonglongya and Hill.
The holotype had been collected in the Kaeng Khoi District of Thailand in 1972 by Boonsong Lekagul.
Lekagul is the eponym for the species name "lekaguli."

Description

Its forearm length is.
Its ears are broad, large, and triangular.
Its nose-leaf is complexly foliated with intermediate, anterior, and posterior leaflets.

Range and habitat

It was first documented in Thailand in 1972.
In 1992, it was additionally documented in the Philippines.
It is also found in Peninsular Malaysia. It has been documented at a range of elevations from.

Conservation

The Large Asian roundleaf bat is listed as a near-threatened species by the IUCN as of 2019. It meets the criteria for this classification because it is likely experiencing a significant population decline. The decline is probably less than 30% loss from 1998-2008, which would qualify it for vulnerable status. It is experiencing widespread habitat loss.