A revision of the genus Hipposideros

The genus Hipposideros presents a wide range of morphological variation, and the characters of its numerous spp. rarely combine to indicate clearly defined natural groups or evolutionary trends. This revision, based chiefly on the features of the ears, noseleaf and skull, discusses the morphological criteria within the genus and its supraspecific groupings, recognizing 7 spp. groups containing a total of 43 spp. These groups and their included spp. are described in some detail, with keys, and their probable relationships have been defined and discussed. These studies have suggested a less diffuse classification of Hipposideros than those proposed by earlier revisers, and indicate that despite the wide morphological dissimilarity of many of its spp., the genus includes but 3 major evolutionary trends.