*2.5.1. Fulvous leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros fulvus (Gray, 1838)*

Hipposideridae is a family of bats commonly known as the "Old World Leaf-nosed Bats." This large family is characterized by elaborate modifications of the nose and muzzle, forming leaflike projections that are thought to help focus echolocation signals emitted through the nose. It comprises 80 species in 11 genera throughout the world. In Pakistan, it is represented by three genera and four species. It is a medium small species of *Hipposideros* with characteristically very large ears, the tip of which is broadly rounded off; the feet are small. The nose leaf has a greatest width of about 5 mm; its general morphology is like that of *H. ater* [13]. Adult weigh between 8 and 9 g [48].

The baculum is small and comparable to that of *H. ater.* It has a straight shaft with a simple base and tip [13]. It is closely similar in appearance to *Hipposideros cineraceus* from which it can mainly be distinguished by its slightly greater size and more rufescent dorsal pelage with very pale basal portion to the hairs. The dorsal fur of this species can vary widely in color in parts of western India [37], but in Pakistan, all specimens from the Punjab have long soft fur with the hairs pinkish white basally terminating in dark reddish brown or chestnut tips. Some individuals have more yellowish white fur close to the body with the tips of the hairs gray brown or even golden yellow in specimens from Sindh according to Murray, 1874.

This species seems well adapted to arid regions in the areas having a scattered growth of tropical thorn scrub or dry sub-tropical scrub. It particularly favors the open burrows of Porcupines and Hyenas for its diurnal roost as well as utilizing underground cellars, railway tunnels, and open wells "Kharezes" in Balochistan. They are very susceptible to predation from crows and kites if flying abroad in daylight [49]. Specimens have been collected in the northern Punjab from around Rawalpindi [9] and Chaklala [30] in the salt range. It apparently does not penetrate the foothills in the north and is absent from most of the Indus plain, occurring again in Southern Sindh around Sukkur [33], the Mausoleum of Amir Khan Mono and in Gholam and Gharo, all in Thatta district [50] and Shujawal [34]. In southern Balochistan, it has been collected from Panjgur and Hoshab [2]. The species is least concerned in South Asia [16, 17, 15]; South Asia Bat CAMP, 2002, and is lower risk: Least Concern in Microchiroptera Action Plan [51].

Among the four recorded bat species of this family from Pakistan, only the fulvous leaf-nosed bat *Hipposideros fulvus* Gray, 1838, was recorded from Malakand division.

More than 66 bats were recorded roosting in a cave of Tura Gata (N34° 26.770′ E71° 49.090′) tehsil Dargai in Malakand district.
