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.
The classification of this species was previously based on its membership within the genus Scotonycteris. Nevertheless, an analysis of mitochondrial DNA indicated that it is more closely related to Casinycteris, leading to a reevaluation of its placement to prevent the occurrence of paraphyly.