Trident leaf-nosed bat  (Asellia tridens)

Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).

The trident leaf-nosed bat is named after its distinctive nose-leaf, a fleshy structure surrounding the nose, common to many bats, which on this species has three projections; the outer two projections have blunt tips while the central one is pointed (3) (4) (5). The fur of the trident leaf-nosed bat varies in colour, from pale greyish-brown to a pale yellow, and the underside is whitish (3) (5) (6). The ears are very large and almost hairless (3) (5) (6), and the tail projects up to five millimetres beyond the flight membrane (8). The trident leaf-nosed bat is also distinguished by the lack of a tragus (the bump in front of the opening of the ear), which is very well-developed in most bats (7). 

The trident leaf-nosed bat is found throughout northern Africa and the Middle East. Its range extends from Mauritania in the west to Pakistan in the east, and from Iraq in the north to Ethiopia in the south (9).

An inhabitant of arid environments, the trident leaf-nosed bat roosts in caves and artificial structures, such as tunnels and old temples. A roost was even discovered under the iron roof of a shed in Iraq, where temperatures soared to around 38 degrees Celsius (2).

The trident leaf-nosed bat roosts in very big groups of hundreds to thousands of individuals. It is a nocturnal animal, leaving the roost in the late evening to hunt its prey, which includes beetles and moths (10).

Like many bats, this species uses echolocation to perceive its surroundings and hunt prey. In fact it has been found that the trident leaf-nosed bat echolocates with such accuracy that it can detect and avoid wires with a diameter of only 0.65 millimetres (11). The mating system of this bat has not been studied in much detail, but it is known that female bats reach sexual maturity at two years of age and normally give birth to a single young each year in early June, after a gestation period of nine to ten weeks (12) (13).

Due to its wide range and large population this species is currently not considered to be threatened with extinction (1). However, like almost all bats, some populations of the trident leaf-nosed bat may be negatively impacted by the disturbance of their roosting sites, and also by the reduction or contamination of their insect prey as a result of pesticide use (1).

It is probable that throughout its large range, the trident leaf-nosed bat occurs within some protected areas (1). Further research into the effects of pesticides on the food web has been recommended, particularly the investigation of ways to minimise the impact of pesticides on this species (1).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

To find out about efforts to conserve bats around the world see:

• Bat Conservation International:
  http://www.batcon.org
• Bat Conservation Trust:
  http://www.bats.org.uk