Dobson, 1871
Persian Trident bat
External characters (Table 54)
This is a relatively small species of Hipposiderid with an average forearm measurement of 51.7 mm (48.3-54.0 mm) based on extralimital specimens from Iran. The tail is well developed and enclosed within the interfemoral membrane. The head is distinctly elongated and the muzzle broader than that of Asellia tridens . The ears are small and funnel-shaped, their width subequal to their height (Tper1). The anterior border of each ear is sharply emarginated below the tip; the posterior border has a broader notch extending at least half way to the base. The noseleaf is complex (Fig. 109). The anterior leaf is subdivided by a deep median notch. The internarial septum is greatly expanded, such that there is a flange each side which is triangular above and rhomboid-shaped below. The narial lappets are well developed and the nostrils deep. There is a single pair of supplementary leaflets. The intermediate and posterior leaves are not differentiated from each other. Three vertical processes project from the upper part, all are sharply pointed, the outer two have their external borders sharply convex. A fourth smaller, vertical, pointed process is situated in the mid-line at the foot of the central upper projection. In the wing the third metacarpal is long; the fifth is short and the fourth intermediate in size. The second phalanx of the fourth finger is unique in possessing a transverse spicule of bone which projects from the outer side of its base (where it joins with the first phalanx) for a distance of 2.5-3.0 mm into the membrane (Tper2). The pelage is fine, dense and silky. It extends on to the proximal quarter of the interfemoral membrane above and below. In extralimital specimens from Iran and Arabia, the colour is variable. Most individuals are a light grey brown on the back (Tper3) and with the belly a pale buff. The face, throat and the crown of the head are variably suffused with light brown. Other individuals have a distinctive orange or reddish hue. The baculum is very small; it has a long slender shaft, with a bluntly bifid tip and a robust trilobate base (Fig. 105).
Cranial characters
The skull (Fig. 106) is longer and narrower than that of Asellia tridens with an average condylo-basal length of 17.8 mm (16.9-18.9 mm). The rostrum is robust with well developed nasal inflations; it is almost as high as the braincase and with a relatively flattened upper surface. The zygomatic arches are not outwardly flared and have pronounced dorsal expansions. The sagittal crest is weakly developed and unlike that of A. tridens (Fig. 110) is not elevated in the interorbital region. The lambda is smooth, but lambdoid crests are present laterally, slightly overhanging the supraoccipital which faces backwards and slightly downwards. The dorsal profile is characterised by the marked anterior elevation of the nasal inflation, with a distinct concavity over the interorbital region, followed by an even convex curve over the braincase to the lambda. The base of the skull is very similar to that of A. tridens except that the cochleae are larger and the tympanic bullae relatively smaller and with less prominent medial borders. In each half mandible, the coronoid process and condyle are low.
Dentition
- Upper toothrow length (C-M3) averages 6.4 mm (6.1-7.1 mm). The upper incisor is bicuspid and inwardly slanting. The upper canine is tall and slender and has a well developed posterior cusp which is pointed and attains almost half the height of the shaft; there is also a smaller anterior cusp (Fig. 106). The first upper premolar (PM2) is present, flat crowned and situated externally to the toothrow (Fig. 107). The upper molars are without special peculiarities. In contrast to that of A. tridens (Fig. 111), M3 is not greatly reduced, having three commissures and the metacone well developed.
- The first lower incisor (i1) is bicuspidate, in A. tridens it is tricuspidate. The lower canine is tall and slender. The first lower premolar (pm2) exceeds half the height of the posterior one (pm4) and is about three-quarters of its crown area. Unlike A. tridens , m3 is not reduced, it is almost equal in crown area to m2 and has a well developed talonid.
Variation
According to Kock and Felten, 1980, the specimen from Pakistan is referred to the nominate form T. p. persicus .