The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2008: T10128A3169874
Hipposideros diadema, Diadem Leaf-nosed Bat
Assessment by: Csorba, G., Bumrungsri, S., Francis, C., Helgen, Bates, P., Gumal,
M., Kingston, T., Balete, D., Esselstyn, J. & Heaney, L.
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: Csorba, G., Bumrungsri, S., Francis, C., Helgen, Bates, P., Gumal, M., Kingston, T., Balete, D.,
Esselstyn, J. & Heaney, L. 2008. Hipposideros diadema. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
2008: e.T10128A3169874. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T10128A3169874.en
Copyright: © 2015 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written
permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged.
Reproduction of this publication for resale, reposting or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written
permission from the copyright holder. For further details see Terms of Use.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species Programme, the IUCN
Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN Red List Partners are: BirdLife
International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown in this document, please provide us with
feedback so that we can correct or extend the information provided.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Chiroptera
Hipposideridae
Taxon Name: Hipposideros diadema Geoffroy, 1813
Synonym(s):
• Hipposideros nicobarensis
• Phyllorhina nicobarensis
• Rhinolophus diadema
Common Name(s):
• English:
Diadem Leaf-nosed Bat, Diadem Horseshoe-bat, Diadem Leafnosed-bat, Diadem
Roundleaf Bat
Taxonomic Notes:
This species belongs to diadema species group. Ellerman and Morrison-Scott (1951) treat the taxon
nicobarensis Dobson, 1871 as distinct species, but is not considered so by Simmons (2005) (Srinivasulu
et al. in press). The populations of Sulawesi and of Australia (T. Reardon pers. comm.) may be specifically
distinct. Southern Lao specimens are genetically distinct, it is uncertain whether this represents a
separate species (Francis pers. comm.). Hipposideros inornatus was formerly considered to be a
subspecies of Hipposideros diadema.
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria:
Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published:
2008
Date Assessed:
June 30, 2008
Justification:
This species is listed as Least Concern because of its wide distribution, presumed large population,
occurrence in a number of protected areas, tolerance to some degree of habitat modification, and
because it is unlikely to be declining at nearly the rate required to qualify for listing in a threatened
category.
Previously Published Red List Assessments
1996 – Lower Risk/least concern (LR/lc)
Geographic Range
Range Description:
This widespread species ranges from the Nicobar Islands of India through Southeast Asia to Australia.
On the Nicobar Islands, the endemic subspecies H. d. nicobarensis is present on the islands of Bompuka,
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hipposideros diadema – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T10128A3169874.en
1
Katchal, Tillangchong, Tressa and Trinket (Aul and Vijaykumar 2003). In Southeast Asia, it ranges from
southern Myanmar, into Thailand, Cambodia, Viet Nam and southern Lao PDR, to Peninsular Malaysia,
and from here to much of Indonesia (including the islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali and Sulawesi), East
Timor, the island of Borneo (Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia), and the Philippines. In the Philippines it is
found in all regions (sea level to 900 m asl) except the Batanes/Babuyan region. Specimens have been
collected from the Philippines islands of Bohol, Busuanga, Calauit, Catanduanes, Cebu (Lawrence, 1939),
Dinagat, Guimaras, Leyte, Luzon [Benguet (Taylor, 1934), Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Ilocos Norte,
Isabela, Laguna, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Quezon, Rizal (Taylor, 1934) provinces], Mindanao [Agusan
del Norte, Bukidnon, Davao Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao, South Cotabato (Sanborn, 1952),
Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur (Taylor, 1934)], Mindoro (Lawrence, 1939), Negros, Palawan,
Panay, Polillo, Samar, Siquijor (Heaney et al., 1998). There are some records from the island of Tawi-tawi
(K. Helgen pers. comm.). On the island of New Guinea (Indonesia and Papua New Guinea) it is found in
scattered localities and it is present throughout much of the Bismarck Archipelago (Papua New Guinea).
The species has been recorded from the islands of Bougainville and Buka (Papua New Guinea), and from
many of the Solomon Islands. It is present in Australia where it is largely restricted to the rainforests of
northern Queensland (Corbet and Hill 1992; Flannery 1995; Strahan 1995; Bonaccorso 1998). It is found
from sea level to 1,300 m asl.
Country Occurrence:
Native: Australia; Cambodia; India; Indonesia (Jawa, Kalimantan, Lesser Sunda Is., Maluku, Papua,
Sulawesi, Sumatera); Lao People's Democratic Republic; Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak);
Myanmar; Papua New Guinea; Philippines; Solomon Islands; Thailand; Timor-Leste; Viet Nam
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hipposideros diadema – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T10128A3169874.en
2
Distribution Map
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hipposideros diadema – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T10128A3169874.en
3
Population
The Nicobar subspecies, H.d. nicobarensis, is very common and has been found to roost in large colonies
of over 500 bats to small colonies of over 30 bats on four islands of Nicobar Islands (Aul and Vijaykumar
2003). It was first recorded from a cave on Trinket Island, but it does not occur on that island anymore
(Aul and Vijaykumar 2003), the reason for this disappearance is unknown. In the Philippines this species
is considered to be locally common (Heaney et al., 1998). There can be large roosts or thousands or
more individuals, though the species often roost in small numbers (K. Helgen and L. Heaney pers.
comm.). In New Guinea it is a relatively common species (Flannery 1995).
Current Population Trend: Unknown
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
On the Nicobar Islands it is colonial and roosts in small to large colonies, hanging singly from high
chambers in cave roofs and roosts with other Hipposideros spp. (Aul and Vijaykumar 2003). It feeds on
beetles. It is a low flier in gallery forests, over water pools and also found in disturbed forests (Aul and
Vijaykumar 2003). A single young is born in a separate maternity roost (Bates and Harrison 1997), and
pregnant females have been observed in the month of March (Aul and Vijaykumar 2003). In Southeast
Asia, the species occurs in primary forest and disturbed lowland forest areas, including riparian areas
(Heaney et al. 1998). And roosts in hollow trees, caves and man-made tunnels (Heaney et al. in press;
Lepiten, 1995; Rickart et al. 1993; Sanborn, 1952). Animals have been collected from trees within
agricultural areas (J. Esselstyn and L. Heaney pers. comm.). In New Guinea and Australia, it has been
recorded from primary and secondary tropical moist forest, dry open woodland, rural gardens and
plantations (Bonaccorso 1998). The species roosts in caves, disused mines, hollow trees and old
buildings. The females give birth to a single young (Bonaccorso 1998). Maternity colonies may consist of
several thousand animals (Bonaccorso 1998).
Systems: Terrestrial
Threats
There appear to be no major threats overall to this widespread species. The Nicobar subspecies is
threatened by edible swiftlet nest collection activities in caves; although the reason for its
disappearance from one cave is unknown (Aul and Vijaykumar 2003). In Southeast Asia it is likely to be
locally threatened by hunting and cave exploitation. In the Australian range some threats include habitat
loss due to disturbance, loss of roosting sites, and loss of foraging habitat to agriculture (L. Hall pers.
comm.).
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
There are no direct conservation measures in place for this taxon in India. It has not been recorded from
any protected areas. Protection of roost site from edible swift nest collectors is highly recommended
(Aul and Vijaykumar 2003). In Southeast Asia and Australia it is present in a number of protected areas.
Important maternity roosts should be identified and protected. Further studies are needed into the
taxonomy of this species.
Credits
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hipposideros diadema – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T10128A3169874.en
4
Assessor(s):
Csorba, G., Bumrungsri, S., Francis, C., Helgen, Bates, P., Gumal, M., Kingston, T.,
Balete, D., Esselstyn, J. & Heaney, L.
Reviewer(s):
Hutson, A.M., Racey, P.A. (Chiroptera Red List Authority) & Cox, N. (Global
Mammal Assessment Team)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hipposideros diadema – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T10128A3169874.en
5
Bibliography
Aul, B. and Vijaykumar, S. P. 2003. Distribution and conservation status of the bats (Order: Chiroptera) of
Nicobar Islands, India. Final Technical report Submitted to BP Conservation.
Bates, P.J.J. and Harrison, D.L. 1997. Bats of the Indian Subcontinent. Harrison Zoological Museum,
Sevenoaks, England, UK.
Bonaccorso, F. 1998. Bats of Papua New Guinea. Conservation International, Washington, DC, USA.
Ellerman, J. R. and Morrison-Scott, T. C. S. 1951. Checklist of Palaearctic and Indian Mammals 1758 to
1946. British Museum (Natural History), London, UK.
Flannery, T. F. 1995. Mammals of the South-West Pacific and Moluccan Islands. Australian
Museum/Reed Books, Chatswood.
Flannery, T. F. 1995. The Mammals of New Guinea, 2nd edition. Reed Books, Sydney, Australia.
Heaney, L.R., Balete, D.S., Dollar, M.L., Alcala, A.C., Dans, A.T.L., Gonzales, P.C., Ingle, N.R., Lepiten, M.V.,
Oliver, W.L.R., Ong, P.S., Rickart, E.A., Tabaranza Jr., B.R. and Utzurrum, R.C.B. 1998. A synopsis of the
mammalian fauna of the Philippine Islands. Fieldiana: Zoology (New Series) 88: 1–61.
IUCN. 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 5 October 2008).
Molur, S., Marimuthu, G., Srinivasulu, C., Mistry, S. Hutson, A. M., Bates, P. J. J., Walker, S., Padmapriya,
K. and Binupriya, A. R. 2002. Status of South Asian Chiroptera: Conservation Assessment and
Management Plan (C.A.M.P.) Workshop Report. Zoo Outreach Organization/CBSG-South Asia,
Coimbatore, India.
Srinivasulu, C., Srinivasulu, B. and Sinha, Y. P. In press. Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of South Asia:
Biogeography, diversity, taxonomy and distribution. Journal of Threatened Taxa.
Strahan, R. 1995. The Mammals of Australia. Australian Museum / Reed Books, Chatswood, New South
Wales, Australia.
Citation
Csorba, G., Bumrungsri, S., Francis, C., Helgen, Bates, P., Gumal, M., Kingston, T., Balete, D., Esselstyn, J.
& Heaney, L. 2008. Hipposideros diadema. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008:
e.T10128A3169874. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T10128A3169874.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hipposideros diadema – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T10128A3169874.en
6
Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat
Season
Suitability
Major
Importance?
1. Forest -> 1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland
-
Suitable
-
1. Forest -> 1.9. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane
-
Suitable
-
2. Savanna -> 2.1. Savanna - Dry
-
Suitable
-
7. Caves and Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) -> 7.1. Caves and
Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) - Caves
-
Suitable
-
7. Caves and Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) -> 7.2. Caves and
Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) - Other Subterranean Habitats
-
Suitable
-
14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.3. Artificial/Terrestrial - Plantations
-
Marginal
-
14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.4. Artificial/Terrestrial - Rural Gardens
-
Marginal
-
14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.5. Artificial/Terrestrial - Urban Areas
-
Marginal
-
Use and Trade
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
End Use
Local
National
International
Food - human
Yes
No
No
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions in Place
In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management
Conservation sites identified: Yes, over entire range
Conservation Actions Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Actions Needed
1. Land/water protection -> 1.1. Site/area protection
2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hipposideros diadema – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T10128A3169874.en
7
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.1. Taxonomy
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
3. Monitoring -> 3.1. Population trends
Additional Data Fields
Distribution
Estimated area of occupancy (AOO) (km²): 100
Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) (km²): 100
Lower elevation limit (m): 0
Upper elevation limit (m): 1210
Population
Population severely fragmented: No
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Hipposideros diadema – published in 2008.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T10128A3169874.en
8
The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN
Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation
International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas
A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™