Resolving a mammal mystery: the identity of Paracoelops megalotis (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae)

Abstract

Paracoelops has been regarded as monotypic and an endemic bat genus of Vietnam. In the original description of 1947,P. megalotis was characterised by its exceptionally large ears and well developed interfemoral membrane without a tail.The status of this taxon remained uncertain since the species and genus descriptions were based on the single, badly dam-aged holotype. Recently, we re-examined the holotype and found discrepancies between its features and those describedin the diagnoses. Its measurements and characteristics are entirely identical to those of a small species of Hipposideros.Having compared its features with those of other hipposiderids, we show here that Paracoelops megalotis was incorrectly classified both in terms of genus and species and should be considered a synonym of Hipposideros pomona.