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Epomophorus labiatus
Order: Chiroptera > Family: Pteropodidae > Genus: Epomophorus > Species: Epomophorus labiatus
Type Description
Monogr. Mamm., 2:83.
Type Locality
Sudan, Blue Nile Prov., Sennar.
Measurements
Head and body: 95-125 mm
Forearm Length: 55-70 mm
Weight: 38-65 g
Forearm Length: 55-70 mm
Weight: 38-65 g
Description
Like all Epomophorus, this species is light brown with white patches of fur at the base of the ears. The males have scented white tufts on the shoulders used to attract females. Of the Epomophorus that occur in Tanzania, this species is one of two that have a forearm length of less than 75 mm and more than one transverse ridge behind the last upper cheekteeth.
Comparisons
Only E. minor (including E. minimus) has a forearm less than 75 mm and more than one transverse ridge behind the last upper cheekteeth. Comparisons between these two species follow: the forearm length is greater than, or equal to 67 mm in male, 64 mm in female labiatus (forearm length is less than, or equal to 69 mm in male, 68 mm in female minor); the greatest length of the cranium is greaterthan, or equal to 40 mm in male, 38 in female labiatus (the greatest length of the cranium is less than, or equal to 42 mm in male, 40 in female minor. There is debate as to whether labiatus and minor are the same species. More specimens are needed to resolve this question.
Distribution
Mainly found in savannas, woodlands and forested mosaics, Epomophorus labiatus is distributed from Nigeria in the west through Ethiopia in the east and down throughout Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi. (Kingdon, 1984, 1997) Bergmans (1988) identified specimens of this species in western Tanzania only, and questioned the true identity of a specimen from Tabora.
Key References
1. Bergmans, W., 1988. Taxonomy and biogeography of African fruit bats (Mammalia, Megachiroptera). 1. General introduction; material and methods; results: the genus Epomophorus Bennett, 1836. Beaufortia 38, 75-146.
2. Bergmans, W. 1997. Taxonomy and biogeography of African fruit bats (Mammalia, Megachiroptera). 5. The genera Lissonycteris Anderson, 1912, Myonycteris Matschie, 1899 and Megaloglossus Pagenstecher, 1885; general remarks and conclusions; annex: Key to all species. Beaufortia 47: 11-90.
3. Boulay, M. C. and C. B. Robbins 1989. Epomophorus gambianus. Mammalian Species, 344:1-5.
4. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Insectivores and Bats). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2A:153-156.
5. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 115-116.
6. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1:258-260, 281-282.
7. Simmons, N.B. 2005. Order Chiroptera, pp. 312-529. In Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder, eds., Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, 3rd edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
8. Swynnerton, G. H., and R. W. Hayman. 1951. A checklist of the land mammals of the Tanganyika Territory and the Zanzibar Protectorate. Journal of the East African Natural History Society, 20(6):274-392.
2. Bergmans, W. 1997. Taxonomy and biogeography of African fruit bats (Mammalia, Megachiroptera). 5. The genera Lissonycteris Anderson, 1912, Myonycteris Matschie, 1899 and Megaloglossus Pagenstecher, 1885; general remarks and conclusions; annex: Key to all species. Beaufortia 47: 11-90.
3. Boulay, M. C. and C. B. Robbins 1989. Epomophorus gambianus. Mammalian Species, 344:1-5.
4. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Insectivores and Bats). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2A:153-156.
5. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 115-116.
6. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1:258-260, 281-282.
7. Simmons, N.B. 2005. Order Chiroptera, pp. 312-529. In Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder, eds., Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, 3rd edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
8. Swynnerton, G. H., and R. W. Hayman. 1951. A checklist of the land mammals of the Tanganyika Territory and the Zanzibar Protectorate. Journal of the East African Natural History Society, 20(6):274-392.