Xenorhinos is a genus of bat that existed in the early Miocene. It was discovered at a fossil deposit of the Riversleigh World Heritage Area in the north of Australia. There are two known species, Xenorhinos halli and X. bhatnagari.[2]
Taxonomy
The description of Xenorhinos halli was published in 1998 by a senior researcher at the Riversleigh fossil sites Suzanne Hand, separated from other bats of the hipposiderid family by a new genus. A holotype was selected from fossilised material in a deposition at the Bitesantennary Site, a skull with some intact premolars. All the specimens included in the first description were obtained at the type locality.[1] Later, the species was moved to the separate family Rhinonycteridae, and a second species, X. bhatnagari, was named in 2023.[2]
The genus name Xenorhinos was nominated in reference to the strangeness of the palate and rostrum, a broad and short feature that was unique amongst the hipposiderid family. The specific epithet honours Leslie S. Hall, a professor at the University of Queensland, who was noted for his contributions to the study of chiropterans.[1]
Description
A microchiropteran allied to the hipposiderid family, known as old world leaf-nosed and later trident bats, which use echolocation to hunt at night.[1][3] The extremely short palate, broad rostrum, and other cranial proportions distinguished the new taxon from others of the family.[1]
The closest living relative is thought to be the Persian leaf-nosed bat Triaenops persicus.[4]
Distribution
Xenorhinos halli was discovered in a fossil deposit known as the Bitesantennary site, a diverse assemblage of bat species and other Riversleigh fauna of the time.[1]