Lamotte's roundleaf bat (Hipposideros lamottei) is a species of bat found only at Mount Nimba on the border of Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia. It is critically endangered. Taxonomy It was described as a new species in 1984 by French zoologist André Brosset. He chose the species name lamottei after Dr. Maxime Lamotte, who was also a French zoologist. Its status as a species has been called into question, and some suggested that it might be synonymous with Noack's roundleaf bat, Hipposideros ruber. While its mitochondrial gene for cytochrome b may only differ from that of H. ruber by only 6%, a 2013 study found that it was morphologically distinct from it. Based on its morphology, it is in the caffer/ruber species complex of its genus. Other species in this complex include: Sundevall's roundleaf bat, H. caffer Noack's roundleaf bat, H. ruber H. tephrus Based on genetic analysis, it has been hypothesized that Lamotte's roundleaf bat has only recently become isolated from Noack's roundleaf bat, evolving to become a high-altitude specialist. Lamotte's roundleaf bat and other members of its species complex are members of the bicolor group of the genus Hipposideros. Other members of the bicolor group include: Description It is a small bat with a nose-leaf. The nose-leaf has four small leaflets, two to either side. Its fur is brown, soft, and dense. Its ears are relatively short. Its patagia are blackish-brown. Its forearm is approximately long, and its hind foot is long. Its tail is long. While many bats in the genus Hipposideros are similar in appearance, it can be differentiated by several characteristics: a forearm longer than ; large mastoid breadth; and small, gracile molars. It detects prey using echolocation, calling at maximum frequencies of 119 kHz, with a range of 118–120 kHz. Biology During the day, it roosts in caves or mine shafts. It is known to share roosts with other species of bat, including Noack's roundleaf bat and the Angolan rousette. Based on its small teeth and relatively slender skull, it is thought that they might prey on soft-bodied insects. The examination of a small colony in December found no juveniles and no pregnant females, meaning that reproduction occurs at another time in the year. Little else is known about their reproduction. Range and habitat It has only been recorded on Mount Nimba, which is situated on the border of Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea and Liberia.