The Philippine endemic genus Bullimus is currently considered to include three species, one each from the Late Pleistocene islands of Greater Mindanao, Greater Luzon, and Camiguin. We describe a fourth species, Bullimus carletoni, new species, from the Caramoan Peninsula in southern Luzon based on analyses of molecular and craniodental data. Molecular data suggest that Bullimus colonized Luzon from the southern Philippines and began diversifying on Luzon by ca. 232 kya. This species is associated with partially disturbed forest habitat over limestone and ophiolitic soils, where it is active primarily on the ground at night. Recognition of this species raises the number of endemic mammals on the Bicol Peninsula of southern Luzon to six, emphasizing its importance as a center of endemism.
A previously unpublished description and drawings of the Greater Bulldog Bat, Noctilio leporinus (Linnaeus, 1758), made by French Minim friar Charles Plumier (1646–1704) during the first (1687–1688) of three voyages of exploration to the West Indies, are described and reproduced. The earliest known depiction of this taxon, Plumier's account is compared with later descriptions, especially those of Dutch apothecary Albertus Seba (1665–1736) and Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778). Evidence is also presented to emphasize the originality and scientific accuracy of Plumier's account.