Ethiopian large-eared roundleaf bat
{{Short description|Species of bat}}
{{Speciesbox
| image =
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Hipposideros
| species = megalotis
| authority = (Heuglin, 1862)
| synonyms = {{species list
| Phyllorrhina megalotis| Heuglin, 1862
| Phyllorhina megalotis|Heuglin, 1862 }}
| range_map = Ethiopian Large-eared Roundleaf Bat area.png
| range_map_caption = Ethiopian large-eared roundleaf bat range
}}
The Ethiopian large-eared roundleaf bat (Hipposideros megalotis) is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae. It is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, caves, and hot deserts.
Taxonomy and etymology
It was described as a new species in 1862 by German ornithologist Theodor von Heuglin. Von Heuglin placed it in the now-defunct genus Phyllorrhina (misspelling of Phyllorhina), with a scientific name of Phyllorrhina megalotis.{{cite journal| last=von Heuglin| first=Theodor| title=Beiträge zur Fauna der Säugethiere N.O.-Afrikas| year=1861| journal=Novorum actorum Academiae Caesareae Leopoldino-Carolinae Germanicae Naturae Curiosorum| volume=29| issue=8|pages=8–10| url=https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/45613524}}
Its species name "megalotis" means "long-eared."
Biology and range
It is nocturnal, roosting in sheltered places during the day such as man-made structures. It also possibly uses caves for roosts. It has been found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia. It has been found at elevations up to {{convert|2000|m|ft|abbr=on}}.
Conservation
It is currently assessed as least concern by the IUCN—its lowest conservation priority.