Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have recorded the presence of the rare golden-haired tube-nosed bat (Harpiola isodon) in Mizoram. This marks the first time the species has been documented in India, pushing its known global range westward by more than 1,000 kilometres.The breakthrough came during a systematic survey of bat diversity in the forested landscape of Hmuifang village, Aizawl district, led by noted bat researcher Dr. Uttam Saikia. To ensure accuracy, Dr. Saikia worked in collaboration with global experts including Dr. Gabor Csorba of the Hungarian Natural History Museum, Dr. Manuel Ruedi from the Natural History Museum of Geneva, and Dr. Rohit Chakravarty of the Nature Conservation Foundation.
Through comparative analysis using museum specimens abroad and DNA profiling of the Mizoram sample, the team conclusively identified the bat as Harpiola isodon. Interestingly, the researchers also revisited an older specimen housed at ZSI Kolkata, originally collected from Sairep village in Lunglei district, and confirmed that it too belonged to the same species. The golden-haired tube-nosed bat was first discovered in Taiwan in 2006 and later reported in southern China and Vietnam. With this latest finding, scientists believe the species could also occur in other Southeast Asian countries such as Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar.
Small in size but striking in appearance, the bat has a forearm length of 32–36 mm, golden-tipped fur, and distinct tube-shaped nostrils, which give it its unique name. Its natural habitat is believed to be mountain forests, making northeast India an ideal environment for its survival. ZSI Director Dr. Dhriti Banerjee underscored the importance of the discovery, stating, “With this addition, the confirmed tally of bat species in India currently stands at 136. This highlights the immense biodiversity of northeast India and the urgent need for more focused conservation research in the region.”
