Mr. Pipat Soisook, a researcher at Bat Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University revealed that the research team of PSU Bat Research Unit in conjunction with the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation had found a new species of Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus beddomei) in Phachi River Wildlife conservation area in Suanphueng District, Raj Buri Province, next to Tanao Sri Mountain Range, bordering Burma. It was previously reported that this species of bat could be found only in the west coast of India.
This new species of bat found had similar size and appearances to Trefoil Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus trifoliatus) which had yellowish grey nose patches and fur but this newly found was grayish black so the research team named it “Beddome's Horseshoe Bat”. They were insect-eating bats in Rhinolophidae family in trifoliatus group with an outstanding characteristic of skin patches shaped like a fan blade protruding from both sides of the nose. Their habitats were mountain grooves or tree hollows. They live in couples or small groups of 1-3.
The “Beddome's Horseshoe Bat”.found in Thailand consisted of only one sample. It was an interesting spread out because this type of bats had been found only in India or Sri Lanka. The research team then further reviewed the categorization of this bat group and carried out more genetic tests and found that it was the world’s new species. The result was already published in Tropical natural History”, Mr. Pipat said. The research team of PSU Bat Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University said that the discovery of this new species of bats had extended the list of bats found in Thailand to 124 among the 1,100 types found in the world. At present, the research team of the Bat Research Unit are studying and publishing formal reports on the new species found and the first discoveries in Thailand of not fewer than 10 more species.
