New Distribution, Ecological Notes, and First Echolocation Description of the Rare Bat Coelops hirsutus from the Philippines

The Philippine tailless leaf-nosed bat (Coelops hirsutus) is a rare bat species endemic to the Philippines and a member of the genus Coelops, a group of small-bodied insectivorous bats distributed throughout South and Southeast Asia. Although presumed to be widely distributed in the Philippines, the species is rarely captured using traditional netting techniques, indicating its low detectability. Here, we report new distribution records of C. hirsutus from several Philippine islands and provide notes on its habitat use and roosting ecology. Additionally, we present the first description of its echolocation calls, providing an acoustic reference that can aid in detection and monitoring. These findings expand the known distribution of C. hirsutus, provide baseline data for non-invasive surveys, and underscore its dependence on vulnerable cave habitats. Given its rarity, cryptic behavior, and the vulnerability of cave ecosystems, reassessment of its conservation status is warranted.