Horsfield, 1851
Pearson's Horseshoe bat
External characters (Table 39)
This is a medium-sized species of Rhinolophid bat with an average forearm length of 53.1 mm (50.8-54.8 mm). The noseleaf (Rpe1) is similar to that of R. luctus (Rlu1) and R. beddomei (Rbe2) but without the circular basal lappets on either side of the sella. When viewed laterally, the inferior extremity of the sella is not deflected downwards and forwards (Rpe2, Rlu3). The pelage is long, soft and woolly in texture. It is a mid chestnut brown in colour, paler than that of R. beddomei (Rbe1) but darker than that of R. trifoliatus . The membranes are also darker than those of R. trifoliatus . They differ in the characteristic presence of hairs on the upper surface and posterior border of the interfemoral membrane; these are also present in R. yunanensis . The ears are smaller than those of R. luctus and are similar in size and shape to those of R. trifoliatus .
Cranial characters
The skull is smaller than that of R. yunanensis averaging 20.7 mm (20.2-21.6 mm) in condylo-canine length. It is distinguished from R. trifoliatus by its shallower and broader nasal pit. The anterior border of the mesopterygoid space is without a median spicule of bone protruding from the posterior border of the palate.
Dentition
- Upper toothrow length (C-M3) averages 9.5 mm (9.2-9.9 mm). The first upper premolar (PM2) is a functional tooth that lies within the toothrow, although in some individuals it may be slightly displaced.
- The second lower premolar (pm3) is small and slightly extruded from the toothrow. The first (pm2) and third (pm4) lower premolars are not usually in contact.
Variation
Specimens from India are referred to the nominate form R. p. pearsonii .