A revision of the genus Hipposideros

Abstract

The genus Hipposideros presents a wide range of morphological variation, and the characters of its numerous species rarely combine to indicate clearly defined natural groups or evolutionary trends. This revision, based chiefly on the features of the ears, noseleaf and skull, discusses the morphological criteria within the genus and its supraspecific groupings, recognizing seven species groups containing a total of forty-three species. These groups and their included species are described in some detail, with keys, and their probable relationships have been defined and discussed. These studies have suggested a less diffuse classification of Hipposideros than those proposed by earlier revisers, and indicate that despite the wide morphological dissimilarity of many of its species, the genus includes but three major evolutionary trends