(Kuhl, 1819)
Leisler's bat; Hairy-armed bat
External characters (Table 104)
This species (CD12) is superficially similar to N. noctula (Nno2) but distinctly smaller, with an average forearm length of 43.6 mm (42.1-45.2 mm). The pelage is longer and denser; the texture less silky. The dorsal surface averages darker, a mid to dark brown; the ventral surface is a buffy brown. In contrast to N. noctula and N. montanus , the hairs are bicoloured throughout with characteristically blackish roots on both the dorsal and ventral surfaces (Nno3).
Cranial characters
The skull is essentially similar to that of N. noctula (BW26) but distinctly smaller, with an average condylo-canine length of 14.9 mm (14.7-15.2 mm). The rostrum is narrower than that of N. montanus . The dorsal profile of the skull declines in a smooth, relatively steep gradient, from the lambda to the nares; in N. montanus the gradient is shallower, with the supraorbital and rostral regions more elevated above the basicranial axis.
Dentition
- Upper toothrow length (C-M3) averages 5.7 mm (5.5-5.9 mm) in length. The first upper premolar (PM2) greatly exceeds that of N. montanus in size (Fig. 229); it is also larger than that of N. noctula both relatively and in some cases absolutely.
- The first lower premolar (pm2) is also relatively large, its crown area is equal to or sometimes exceeds that of the second (pm4). In N. montanus , pm2 is greatly reduced with a crown area of half or less that of pm4.
Variation
Specimens from Indian subcontinent are referred to the nominate race N. l. leisleri .