The Benito roundleaf bat (Hipposideros beatus) is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Togo. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.[1]
The Benito roundleaf bat was described as a new species in 1906 by Danish mammalogist Knud Andersen. The holotype was collected 15 mi (24 km) from the Benito River by American naturalist George Latimer Bates.[2] Two subspecies are recognized: H. b. beatus and H. b. maximus.[3]
It has fine, fluffy, dark brown hair. Its ears are relatively short for a roundleaf bat, at 12–16 mm (0.47–0.63 in). Individuals weigh 6–9.5 g (0.21–0.34 oz) and have forearm lengths of 39–48 mm (1.5–1.9 in).[3]
It is monoestrous, with one breeding season per year. Mating occurs in June and July (the end of the first wet season; females give birth in October and November (the middle of the second wet season). The litter size is one offspring.[3]
The Benito roundleaf bat has been documented in several countries in Africa, mainly in Central Africa. Its range includes: Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Togo. It as found at elevations up to 500 m (1,600 ft) above sea level.[1]
As of 2017, the Benito roundleaf bat is classified as a least-concern species by the IUCN.[1]
The Benito roundleaf bat (Hipposideros beatus) is a species of bat in the family Hipposideridae found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Togo. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
