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Abstract:
Rhinolophus ziama n. sp. from the Upper Guinea highlands in Guinea and Liberia is described. This new taxon differs from R. maclaudi in being significantly smaller in size, and from R. ruwenzorii and R. hilli by skull shape and noseleaf morphology. These four related species are allocated to the formally established R. maclaudi group. A published record of R. maclaudi from Nigeria is here re-identified as R. hildebrandtii and represents the first record for West Africa. R. ruwenzorii is reported for the first time from Rwanda. We discuss the biogeography of the species group and propose that its members might represent an ancient radiation now restricted to two disjunct refuges in the Upper Guinea highlands and the mountain range along the Albertine Rift. This pattern strikingly resembles that of Micropotamogale lamottei and M. ruwenzorii (Tenrecidae). The conservation status of the four species is discussed and updated IUCN Red List categories are proposed. It seems likely that these species are seriously threatened both by habitat degradation within their small distribution ranges and direct exploitation in their day roosts.
