*2.4.1. The greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774)*

*R. ferrumequinum* is widely distributed in northern Himalayan region and extends southwards through the mountains of Waziristan and northern Balochistan. This bat seems to be rare in southern Balochistan because of the lesser supply of suitable insect prey and very dry climate which is unfavorable to the family Rhinolophidae [2]. Specimens have been collected from around Dir town (USNM), Abbotabad (HZM), Karakar pass (FMNH), Gilgit (type loc. of *proximus*) [13], and Kululai in Swat [2]. These larger greyer specimens have been assigned to the subspecies *R. f. proximus* [2]. Small colonies found in Balochistan near Kalat, Nushki, and Quetta have been assigned to *R. f. irani* [13, 46].

A total of 46 bats were recorded roosting in a cave at Loya Agra (N34° 34.868′ E71° 43.114′) tehsil Batkhela in Malakand district.

### *2.4.2. Blyth's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus lepidus (Blyth, 1844)*

This species is a new record for Pakistan. The first specimen was captured by Mrs. Nora Pendleton from a phosphate mine near Abbottabad [2, 13]. The species has also been collected from Afghanistan [12] and in the dryer parts of Rajasthan, India [9], so the status of this species is unknown in Pakistan [2]. IUCN 2003 and IUCN/SSC Action Plan (2001) declare this species to be Data Deficient. It was in the lower risk (LR/IC) category according to IUCN 2007 report and is a chiropteran of Least Concern according to IUCN [17] Red List of Threatened Animals and C.A.M.P. Report, 2002.

*Rhinolophus lepidus shortridgei* found in South Asia differs from *R. l. lepidus* in having a longer hind foot (55–63% of the tibia, against 45.8–47.5%) and longer mandible [47].

Bates [13] collected specimens of *R. lepidus* from Nepal, India, and Pakistan. Three bats were captured through mist net in Malakand University (N34° 40.054′ E72° 03.653′) in Malakand district. Fifty specimens of the Blyth's horseshoe bat (*Rhinolophus lepidus*) were collected from Fizaghat Kaan (N34° 47′ 24.42′′ E 72° 22′22.16′′) elevation 3105 ft., Nalai Kaan (N34° 46′59.17′′ E72° 22′204.19′′) elevation 3324 ft., and Gull Dara Kaan (N34° 47′19.66′′ E72° 22′11.55′′) elevation 3106 ft. district Swat. Fifteen of them were captured from Fizaghat Kaan (4 male and 11 female), 19 from Nalai Kaan (1 male, 18 female), and 16 from Gull Dara Kaan (5 male, 11 female).
