Family HIPPOSIDERIDAE
Compiler and date details
October 2010 - Updated by S. Jackson, c/- Queensland Museum, Brisbane, following Van Dyck & Strahan (2008)
31 December 1998 - J.A. Mahoney & D.W. Walton (1988); updated by Barry J. Richardson (1999), Centre for Biostructural and Biomolecular Research, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury
Introduction
Quite similar in appearance to the bats of the family Rhinolophidae, hipposiderids are often included in that family.
There is a reduction in the number of both upper and lower premolars and the foliaceous nasal appendages are more elaborate.
These bats are highly gregarious and troglophiles. In Australia, bats of this family are confined to the northern tropical and subtropical regions. Rhinonycteris aurantius, representative of a monotypic genus, is endemic to Australia.
General References
Hall, L.S. 1989. Hipposideridae. pp. 864-870 in Walton, D.W. & Richardson, B.J. (eds). Fauna of Australia. Mammalia. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 1B 827 pp.