(Buchannan, 1800)
Wrinkle-lipped Free-tailed bat
External characters (Table 59)
This is the smallest species of Tadarida known from the region with an average forearm length of 46.3 mm (43.1-50.2 mm). It is superficially similar to T. aegyptiaca . However, unlike this species and T. teniotis (Tte6), the ears are connected by a membrane across the forehead (Tpl2). The pelage is soft, dense and very short. On the dorsal surface, it is usually dark clove brown; it is paler on the ventral surface (Tpl4).
Cranial characters
The skull (Fig. 123) is smaller than that of T. aegyptiaca with an average condylo-canine length of 16.6 mm (15.9-17.1 mm). Unlike T. teniotis and T. aegyptiaca , the premaxillary bones are complete on the palatal side, in consequence the deep notch extending behind the upper incisors is absent. Usually the two premaxillae are fused with the surrounding bones, leaving two small foramina at the end of the palate, or a very small notch in front of the incisors. The rostrum is narrow and more rounded than that of T. aegyptiaca ; distinct supraorbital processes are present. The braincase is more rounded, not flattened above, as compared to T. aegyptiaca . The sagittal crest is variably developed and extends from the postorbital constriction to the lambda. The dorsal profile has convexities over both the postorbital region and the posterior part of the skull. The coronoid process of each half mandible is relatively weak, it does not exceed the canine in height and scarcely projects above the condyle. The angular process is robust. The feet are hairy (Fig. 121); the membranes are essentially naked.
Dentition
- Upper toothrow length (C-M3) averages 6.8 mm (6.4-7.3 mm). The roots of the upper incisors (I2) are situated close together and unlike those of T. aegyptiaca , the crowns are not inwardly sloping. The first upper premolar (PM2) exceeds that of T. aegyptiaca in size and is situated in the toothrow. The upper molars are unremarkable; M3 is comparable to that of T. aegyptiaca and is more compressed antero-posteriorly than that of T. teniotis .
- There are usually two pairs of lower incisors, although in a recent specimen from Sri Lanka only one pair was present (Fig. 124).
Variation
Provisionally, specimens from India are referred to the nominate race T. p. plicata whilst those from Sri Lanka are referable to T. p. insularis on account of their predominantly dark chocolate brown dorsal pelage and smaller skull (Hill, 1961).