TAXONOMIC REAPPRAISAL OF THE HIPPOSIDEROS LARVATUS SPECIES COMPLEX (CHIROPTERA HIPPOSIDERIDAE) IN THE GREATER AND LESSER SUNDA ISLANDS, INDONESIA

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Abstract - A total of 173 adult specimens of Hipposideros previously allocated to H. larvatus (sensu lato) was examined morphologically. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses based on 31 skull and 16 external measurement were utilised and morphology of glans penis and baculum examined. These specimens came from islands in Nusa Tenggara (Sumbawa; Flores; Sumba; Savu; Roti; Semau and Timor) and a Western group (Madura; Java; Pulau Laut; Krakatau; Sumatra and Nias with a few specimens from Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Thailand).

Analysis of variance revealed that almost all skull and external characters differed significantly between locality groups; differences between locality groups greatly outweighed those due to adult age or sex effects.

The sharpest morphological boundary was between the Nusa Tenggara and Western Groups.

The Nusa Tenggara specimens represent Hipposideros sumbae Oei, 1960. Most Nusa Tenggara islands examined had populations with a distinctive morphology; those from Sumbawa and Roti were subspecifically distinct from the nominate subspecies on Sumba. The subspecific status of populations on Savu and Semau was indeterminate.

The Western group comprised three distinct taxa: H. madurae sp, nov, (two subspecies), H. sorenseni sp, novo and H. larvatus (Horsfield, 1823). There was considerable variation in the latter species requiring considerably more study. A fourth taxon was recognised on West Java based on the distinctive shape of its baculum; its specific status will be determined following collection of additional specimens. Specimens from Peninsular Malaysia, and Sarawak were tentatively considered consubspecific with H. l. larvatus from W, Java, Sumatra, Pulau Laut, Krakatau and Nias. The single specimen from Thailand was smaller with a distinctive glans penis and baculum. It probably represents Hipposideros grandis G. M, Alien, 1936.