Dobson, 1872
Round-eared Tube-nosed bat
External characters (Table 112)
This species is essentially similar to M. leucogaster (Mule4) but differs in its significantly smaller size with an average forearm length of 32.0 mm (29.7-34.5 mm). (Mcy2). The dorsal pelage has a more orange less reddish hue and the hair roots are paler grey and less conspicuous. The hairs on the ventral surface are pale but with the mid-grey roots giving a slightly darker appearance than M. leucogaster but not as dark as M. tubinaris . The upper surface of the interfemoral membrane is moderately covered with orange hairs (Mcy3); it is nearly naked below. The feet and hindlimbs are very hairy. The ears are broadly rounded and in contrast to M. leucogaster are without an emargination on their posterior borders (Mcy4). The tragus is typical of the genus; convex on its anterior border whilst the posterior border is concave above and slightly convex below.
Cranial characters
The skull is considerably smaller than that of M. leucogaster (Mule3) but greatly exceeds that of M. aurata in size. It has an average condylo-canine length of 14.4 mm (13.9-15.0 mm). The rostrum is narrow and relatively short; it has a marked depression in the mid-line. The narial emargination is well defined and extends backwards to a line adjacent to the anterior border of the second upper premolar (pm4). The braincase is distinctly elevated above the rostrum; its midpart greatly exceeds the lambda in height. The palate is very slightly convergent. The coronoid process of each half mandible is robust; it is elevated above the condyle and angular process.
Dentition
- Upper toothrow length (C-M3) averages 5.4 mm (5.2-5.7 mm). The first upper incisor (I2) is bicuspidate, its external face is in contact with the anterior, lateral face of the second incisor (I3) such that in side view, I3 obscures I2; in M. leucogaster (Fig. 250), it is clearly visible. The canine is robust, its crown area exceeds that of the second premolar (PM4). The crown area of the first upper premolar (PM2) is two-thirds to three-quarters that of the second (PM4). The mesostyles of M1 and M2 are poorly developed. M3 is very reduced.
- In the lower dentition, the canine is robust. The first lower premolar (pm2) is approximately two-thirds the crown area of the second (pm4) and is equal to the trigonid of m1 (in M. tubinaris it is two-thirds or less). The talonid of m1 and m2 are greatly reduced about half the crown area of their respective trigonids; in M. leucogaster they are two-thirds or more.
Variation
Specimens from northern India are referred to the nominate race M. c. cyclotis . Specimens from Sri Lanka were assigned by Phillips, 1932c to the taxon eileenae on account of their less bright pelage colour and darker wing membranes. However, examination of the holotype and other specimens from Sri Lanka suggests that eileenae is not distinct even at the subspecific level. In consequence, all specimens from the subcontinent are here referred to M. c. cyclotis .