This mountain range is notable for its bat diversity; its bat diversity is possibly the greatest of the entire continent of Africa. All captures of this species have been limited to the Guinean side of the mountain, however. It has been recorded in two sites on Mount Nimba: one a lowland tropical rainforest, the other an afromontane savanna. It has been recorded at elevations of above sea level. Four mine adits currently in use for roosts are greater than above sea level, however, while there is only one record of this species from a lower altitude. These more recent records suggest that it prefers the afromontane savanna, only occasionally traveling to the lowland rainforests. Conservation It is listed as a critically endangered species by the IUCN, as of 2020. It meets the criteria for this designation because its extent of occurrence is likely less than , its area of occupancy is likely less than , and all individuals live in a single location. Its population is thought to be in decline. It was first evaluated by the IUCN in 1996, when it was listed as data deficient; it has been listed as critically endangered since 2004. Threats to this species include mining for iron ore, which can disturb or destroy their roosts. As of 2013, however, there were indications that mining would soon begin at the only sites where this species exists, posing an imminent threat to its existence. Its range is also subject to habitat destruction via deforestation. In this region, bats are also used as a food source, so this bat is likely killed for bushmeat. At least some of its range is encompassed by Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve, which confers some protections, though these protections may not be strictly enforced. Due to its imperiled status, it is identified by the Alliance for Zero Extinction as a species in danger of imminent extinction. In 2013, Bat Conservation International listed this species as one of the 35 species of its worldwide priority list of conservation. Lamotte's roundleaf bat was specifically named in an article that argued against collecting zoological specimens from critically endangered bat species, or at least promoted more restrictions on who could collect specimens and how many individuals they could collect. References External links An image of this species Bats of Africa Hipposideros Bats as food Mammals described in 1984