Blyth, 1844
Big-eared Horseshoe bat
External characters (Table 35)
This is a small species of Rhinolophus with an average forearm length of 43.3 mm (39.0-46.0 mm). The ears are relatively large (Rma1). The combined lengths of the phalanges of the third finger are about equal to the third metacarpal. The noseleaf differs markedly from that of the pusillus/lepidus group (Rle2). The inferior surface of the sella is very broad, 3.6 mm at the base; it is parallel sided; its apex is rounded off and deflected downwards. The sella projects strongly forwards. In side view, the superior connecting process is broadly rounded off; the anterior surface of the sella is short, slightly emarginated beneath the connecting process (Rma2). The lancet is relatively short, its sides are slightly convex and the tip is subacutely pointed. The pelage is soft and with a woolly texture; it slightly exceeds that of R. lepidus in length. It is buffy brown on the dorsal surface and slightly paler on the ventral surface.
Cranial characters
The skull, with an average condylo-canine length of 16.0 mm (15.2-16.6 mm), is elongated. The zygomata are equal or subequal to the breadth of the braincase. The rostrum is long in relation to its width and the median rostral inflations are well developed, exceeding those of R. lepidus in size. The tympanic bullae are more inflated than those of R. lepidus .
Dentition
- Upper toothrow length (C-M3) averages longer (6.4 mm, 6.2-6.7 mm) than that of R. lepidus . The first upper premolar (PM2) is a functional tooth and lies within the toothrow. The third upper molar (M3) possesses a distinct fourth commissure and a metastyle.
- The second lower premolar (pm3) is minute and extruded from the toothrow. The first (pm2) and third (pm4) lower premolars are in contact.
Variation
Specimens from Pakistan are referred to R. m. topali on account of their very pale pelage, broad horseshoe in the noseleaf and extremely small second lower premolar (pm3). Specimens from elsewhere in the Indian subcontinent are referred to the nominate form R. m. macrotis (Csorba and Bates, 1995).