This is the new taxonomic concept for Kerivoula hardwickii. Kerivoula depressa Miller, 1905 now considered to represent a separate species, whereas K. crypta Wroughton and Ryley, 1913 and K. malpasi Phillips, 1931, formerly subsumed as subspecies of K. hardwickii, should also be elevated to species rank (Tu et al. 2018). Specimens previously referred to K. hardwickii s.l. with flattened skull found from Indo-Burma and Himalayan regions are now considered to be representatives of a complex of at least three morphologically cryptic species broadly found in sympatry: K. depressa, K. furva Kuo et al. 2017 and K. dongduongana Tu et al. 2018 (see Kuo et al. 2017, Tu et al. 2018). Although specimens currently referred to K. hardwickii from the Philippines may represent two or more cryptic species (Heaney et al. 2010), they are treated as K. hardwickii until further taxonomic studies are completed. In the new concept K. hardwickii s. str., characterized with highly domed skulls, are distributed from the Sunda Islands northward to the Philippines, south Thailand and south Indochina.

Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, it occurs in a number of protected areas, has a tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

This species was formally known to occur widely throughout Asia. However, it is now considered to be restricted in Southeast Asia with the northern limit in the mainland being around 18ºN (see Tu et al. 2018). In insular Southeast Asia it has been recorded from the islands of Mentawi [Siberut and Sipura], Engano, Sumatra, Java, Bali, Kangean, Nusa Penida, Lombok, Sumba, Sulawesi, Pelang, Banggi, Karakelang (Indonesia), to the island of Borneo (Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia) (Corbet and Hill 1992), and to the islands of Biliran, Bohol, Leyte, Lubang, Mindanao (Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, Davao Oriental, Surigao del Sur, and Zamboanga del Sur provinces), and Palawan (Philippines) (Heaney et al. 2010). In the Philippines, it has been recorded between 60 and 1,600 m asl (Heaney et al. 2010).

In Southeast Asia, it is a moderately common species in secondary and primary forests (Heaney et al. 2010). The abundance, population size and trends for this species across its range are not known.

This species was recorded in the understory of various forest types, including evergreen, deciduous, and disturbed and from low-land to montane (Francis 2008). It was found roosting in hollow trees and furled leaves of various plants (Francis, 2008) and especially Nepenthes pitchers (Schöner et al. 2017). The species has a relatively slow but very maneuverable flight and forage in highly cluttered places (Kruskop 2011). On Con Dao island (Vietnam), some young, not fully-grown individuals were recorded during the period between late May and early June indicating that females of species can produce litters in April (Kruskop 2011).

There are no major threats to this species as a whole. However, habitat loss and degradation through logging, development, and fire in the region have been known to reduce foraging and roosting sites of this species.

This species has been recorded from numerous protected areas throughout Southeast Asia. Additional research is needed on taxonomy, especially within the Philippines.