While it was previously in the genus Scotonycteris, analysis of mitochondrial DNA showed that it should be placed in Casinycteris to avoid paraphyly of Scotonycteris.
This species' classification was formerly grounded in its affiliation with the genus Scotonycteris. However, a closer examination of its mitochondrial DNA revealed that it is actually more closely related to Casinycteris. This necessitates a reclassification of the species into this new genus in order to avoid the issue of paraphyly.