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Epomophorus minor
Order: Chiroptera > Family: Pteropodidae > Genus: Epomophorus > Species: Epomophorus minor
Common Name: Minor Epauletted Fruit Bat [English]
Type Description
Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1879:715 [1880].
Type Locality
Zanzibar.
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 labiatus 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 greater than, or equal to 40 mmin 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
Epomophorus minor is found throughout savannas, woodlands and forest mosaics from the Sudan to Somali in the north down to Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania in the south. (Kingdon, 1997) (Wilson and Reeder, 2005) Bergmans (1988) identified specimens of this species from a wide variety of localities in Tanzania, but did not record any from northwestern areas (where E. labiatus is known), or the,southeastern corner of the country.
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.