F. Cuvier, 1824
Dog-faced Fruit bats; Short-nosed Fruit bats
The muzzle is shorter and relatively broader than that of Pteropus with a deep emargination between the projecting nostrils (BW5). The ears usually have a well defined pale anterior and posterior border (CS1). The tail is short, its terminal half projects free from the interfemoral membrane (CS2). Both the thumb (first digit) and first finger (second digit) of each wing have a distinct claw. The wings arise from the flanks, in consequence the pelage is not narrowed on the back (CS7). Males have neck tufts comprised of a semi-rigid ruff of hairs (CS1). The skull is primitive in form. The rostrum is short (Fig. 20). Unlike Pteropus the occipital region is not elongated. The premaxillaries are in contact anteriorly but not fused. The teeth are not specially modified. The first (I2) and second (I3) upper incisors are situated close to one another (Fig. 22). The upper canine is without a groove anteriorly but with a secondary cusp on its inner side, formed by a slight elongation of the cingulum (when unworn). The first upper premolar (PM2) is permanent but scarcely larger than the incisors, it barely penetrates through the gum. M2 and m3 are absent.
Dental formula: i - 2 3 c 1 pm - 2 3 4 m 1 - - = 30.
1 2 - 1 - 2 3 4 12 -
The genus includes 5 species with a geographical range that extends from India to Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines (Koopman, 1993). Two species are present in the Indian Subcontinent.
Species of Cynopterus encountered in the Indian Subcontinent:
Cynopterus sphinx
Cynopterus brachyotis
Species identification
Jump to the Text Key of this genus Page 22: Genus Cynopterus.