Common Name: Old World Leaf-nosed Bats
Taxonomy: 9 genera and 63 species, Hipposiderids have previously been considered a subfamily of Rhinolophidae
Distribution: restricted to tropical and subtropical regions in Africa, southern Asia, the Philippine Islands, Solomon Islands, and Australia
Fossil Record: The geological range of the family is Eocene to Oligocene, and perhaps Miocene, in Europe, and Recent over the present range.
Size Range: Head and body length ranges from 28 - 110 mm, and forearm length varies from 30 - 110 mm. The tail is often absent, but when present, may be as long as 60 mm.
Characteristics:
Hipposiderids differ from the Rhinolophids in the complex nose-leaf structure, lacking a sella, and a definite lancet. The foot structure and the structure of the shoulder and hip girdles also differs.
Hipposiderids have a nose-leaf, with the anterior horseshoe-shaped complex covering the upper lip and surrounding the nostrils. The other portion of the nose-leaf is similar to the lancet of Rhinolopids, but is an erect flat, strap-like projection. The ears are either well-developed or short, and a tragus is lacking in all species.
Like the Rhinolopids, the Old World Leaf-nose bats are thought to fly with their mouths closed, emitting echolocation pulses through the nostrils.
Hipposiderids roost in a variety of sites: caves, underground chambers, buildings, hollow trees, and even in abandoned animal burrows. The species range from solitary roosts to large gregarious colonies. A few species are known to hibernate.
Prey is insectivorous, generally caught by aerial hawking. The dentition is insectivorous.
(from the books "Bats - A Natural History" and from "Walker's Bats of the World")