Rafinesque, 1820
Serotine bats
These are small or medium sized Vespertilionid bats, without any distinctive external features by which they may be distinguished from Pipistrellus . The tragus is short and blunt (Ese1) (Close up of ear). The wings are broad (Ebo1). The baculum is more or less triangular in shape; its apex is occasionally extended into a short shaft, basally it is rather wide (Fig. 173). The skull generally has a flat dorsal profile; the braincase is scarcely elevated above the rostrum (Fig. 174). The small upper premolar (PM2) is always absent (Fig. 175).
Dental formula: i - 2 3 c 1 pm - - - 4 m 1 2 3 = 32.
1 2 3 1 - 2 - 4 1 2 3
The genus includes 32 species with a geographical range that includes Africa; Eurasia; Australia; South, Central and North America (Koopman, 1993). Six species are present in the Indian Subcontinent:
Species of Eptesicus encountered in the Indian Subcontinent:
Eptesicus serotinus
Eptesicus bottae
Eptesicus pachyotis
Eptesicus gobiensis
Eptesicus nasutus
Eptesicus tatei
Species identification
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