Andaman horseshoe bat
The Andaman horseshoe bat ("Rhinolophus cognatus") is a species of bat in the family Rhinolophidae. It is endemic to the Andaman Islands. During the day, it roosts in caves, but may also choose tree hollows. Taxonomy. The Andaman horseshoe bat was first collected by Italian zoologist Enrico Hillyer Giglioli in May 1892. It was collected in Port Blair of the Andaman Islands. The specimen was taken to the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Genova, where it was described by Danish zoologist Knud Andersen in 1906. As the horseshoe bat genus is very speciose, it is further  divided into closely related species groups. The Andaman horseshoe bat is placed into the "pusillus" species group. Other species belonging to this species group include: Description. They have long, spatulate lancets. The lateral margins of the lancet are concave. The forearm of this species measures . Their skulls are long. They roost in colonies of fewer than 50 individuals. Biology. It is known to form mixed-species colonies. Other species that it will roost with include Dobson's horseshoe bat and the Pomona roundleaf bat. During January, individuals have been observed in a state of torpor. Their average generation time is  7.5 years. Range and habitat. This species is only found on the Andaman Islands. It is not found on the nearby Nicobar Islands. Its upper elevation limit is . During the day, it roosts in caves, although tree cavities are also sometimes used. Conservation. During surveys in 2013 and 2014, it was noted that this species was absent from previous known roosts in several caves. This could be indicative of a decline in the number of subpopulations, or in the total population. Prior to 2008, this species was listed as vulnerable through the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In 2008 , its status was revised to endangered. The species is in danger of becoming extinct due to its restricted range of less than , its existence in fewer than five locations, and the continued decline in locations of occurrence. While it is not specifically protected by India's Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, most of its habitat is within protected areas or areas with restricted access. Possible threats to this species include disturbance related to edible-nest swiftlet nest harvesting.