Monograph

 

 

A key to the bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of South Asia

 

C. Srinivasulu, Paul A. Racey & Shahroukh Mistry

 

 

 

 

 

Journal of Threatened Taxa

ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print)

 

Monograph

Date of publication (online): 05 July 2010

Date of publication (print): 05 July 2010

ISBN 978-81-902319-0-9 (online) | 978-81-902319-1-3 (print)

 

Editor: Csorba Gabor

 

Manuscript details:

Ms # o2352

Received 28 November 2009

Final revised received 14 April 2010

Finally accepted 19 April 2010

 

Citation: Srinivasulu, C., P.A. Racey & S. Mistry (2010). A key to the bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of South Asia. Journal of Threatened Taxa 2(7): 1001-1076.

 

Copyright: © C. Srinivasulu, Paul A. Racey & Shahroukh Mistry 2010. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication.

 

Author Details

Dr. C. Srinivasulu is an Assistant Professor of Zoology at University College of Science, Osmania University, India.  He heads the research laboratory at Osmania University that focuses on biodiversity inventorying, conservation, ecology and animal taxonomy (including bats) with special reference to Eastern Ghats and Godavari River basin in Andhra Pradesh.

Professor Paul A. Racey is a Regius Professor of Natural History (Emeritus) at University of Aberdeen, UK and a Visiting Professor at University of Exeter, UK.  He is a renowned bat specialist and is Co-Chair, Bat Specialist Group of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission and Vice-Chairman, Fauna and Flora International.

Dr. Shahroukh Mistry is at the Biological Sciences Department, Butte College, California, USA and is a member of Scientific Advisory Board of Bat Conservation International, Austin, Texas, USA and Chair, Board of Directors of North American Society of Bat Researchers.

 

Author Contributions

C. Srinivasulu did the ground work to prepare the key. C. Srinivasulu and Paul Racey worked on microchiroptera key, while C. Srinivasulu and Shahroukh Mistry worked on megachiroptera key.  All the authors contributed equally in refining and finalizing the key.

 

 

A key to the bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of South Asia

 

C. Srinivasulu 1, Paul A. Racey 2 & Shahroukh Mistry 3,4

 

1 Wildlife Biology Section, Department of Zoology, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh 500007, India

2 Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of BioSciences, University of Exeter, Tremough Campus, Penryn, TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom

3 Biology Department, Butte College, 3536 Butte Campus Drive, Oroville, CA  95965, USA

4 Biological Sciences, California State University, Chico, CA 95929, USA

Email: 1 csrinivasulu@osmania.ac.in, 2 p.racey@abdn.ac.uk, 3 mistrysh@butte.edu

 

 

Abstract: A checklist and dichotomous key to 128 species of bats known from South Asia including Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives is provided. Character matrices for families, genera and species are also included. This article also briefly reviews their distribution (both physiographic and country-wise), status and main identification characters.

 

Keywords: Checklist, Chiroptera, dichotomous key, diversity, Mammalia, South Asia

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................................................................... 1006

 

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1007

 

Scope of this article ......................................................................................................................................................................... 1007

 

Taxonomic composition and endemicity of the bats of South Asia ................................................................................................. 1007

 

Characters used for identification of bats ........................................................................................................................................ 1007

 

Brief notes on Bats of South Asia .................................................................................................................................................... 1011

 

Family Pteropodidae ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1011

 

Brief descriptions of the genera of family Pteropodidae present in South Asia ............................................................................... 1011

 

Family Rhinopomatidae .......................................................... ....................................................................................................... 1013

 

Brief description of the genus of the family Rhinopomatidae present in South Asia ....................................................................... 1013

 

Family Emballonuridae ................................................................................................................................................................... 1013

 

Brief descriptions of the genera of the family Emballonuridae present in South Asia ..................................................................... 1013

 

Family Megadermatidae  ................................................................................................................................................................ 1013

 

Brief description of the genus of the family Megadermatidae present in South Asia ...................................................................... 1013

 

Family Rhinolophidae ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1014

 

Brief description of the genus of the family Rhinolophidae present in South Asia .......................................................................... 1014

 

Family Hipposideridae .................................................................................................................................................................... 1014

 

Brief descriptions of the genera of the family Hipposideridae present in South Asia ...................................................................... 1014

 

Family Molossidae .......................................................................................................................................................................... 1015

 

Brief descriptions of the genera of the family Molossidae present in South Asia ............................................................................ 1015

 

Family Vespertilionidae ................................................................................................................................................................... 1015

 

Brief descriptions of the genera of the family Vespertilionidae present in South Asia .................................................................... 1016

 

Family Miniopteridae ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1018

 

References ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1019

 

Appendix I. Some important literature consulted to prepare the key .............................................................................................. 1019

 

Table 1. Classical and modern classification of bats ....................................................................................................................... 1020

 

Table 2. Checklist of bats of South Asia .......................................................................................................................................... 1021

 

Key to the Suborders and the Families ........................................................................................................................................... 1023

 

Keys to the Genera and Species of Bats of South Asia .................................................................................................................. 1024

 

Key 1, Family Pteropodidae (13 species) ....................................................................................................................................... 1026

 

Key 2 Family Megadermatidae (2 species) ..................................................................................................................................... 1026

 

Key 3, Family Rhinopomatidae (3 species) .................................................................................................................................... 1026

 

Key 4, Family Rhinolophidae (20 species) ...................................................................................................................................... 1027

 

Key 5, Family Hipposideridae (15 species) ..................................................................................................................................... 1029

 

Key 6, For subfamilies of the family Vespertilionidae (63 species) ................................................................................................ 1031

 

Key 6A, Subfamily Murininae (8 species) ....................................................................................................................................... 1032

 

Key 6B, Subfamily Kerivoulinae (3 species) ................................................................................................................................... 1033

 

Key 6C, Subfamily Myotinae (14 species) ...................................................................................................................................... 1033

 

Key 6D, For tribes of the subfamily Vespertilioninae (38 species) .................................................................................................. 1035

 

Key 6D i, Tribe Plecotini (5 species) ............................................................................................................................................... 1036

 

Key 6D ii, Tribe Nycticeiini (4 species) ............................................................................................................................................ 1037

 

Key 6D iii, Tribe Eptesicini (9 species) ............................................................................................................................................ 1038

 

Key 6D iv, Tribe Pipistrellini (12 species) ........................................................................................................................................ 1039

 

Key 6D v, Tribe Vespertilionini (8 species) ...................................................................................................................................... 1041

 

Key 7, Family Miniopteridae (3 species) ........................................................................................................................................ 1042

 

Key 8, Family Emballonuridae (6 species) ..................................................................................................................................... 1043

 

Key 9, Family Molossidae (4 species) ............................................................................................................................................ 1043

 

Table 3. Diagnostic morphological characters of eight genera of the family Pteropodidae present in South Asia ......................... 1044

 

Table 3.1. Diagnostic morphological characters of the two species of the genus Rousettus Gray, 1821 present in South Asia .... 1045

 

Table 3.2. Diagnostic morphological characters of four species of the genus Pteropus Brisson, 1762 present in South Asia ....... 1045

 

Table 3.3. Diagnostic morphological characters of the two species of the genus Cynopterus Cuvier, F., 1824 present in South Asia ................................................................................................................................................................................... 1046

 

Table 3.4. Diagnostic morphological characters of the species of the genera Megaerops Peters, 1865; Latidens Thonlongya, 1972; Sphaerias Miller, 1906; Eonycteris Dobson, 1873; and Macroglossus Cuvier, F., 1824 present in South Asia .................. 1046

 

Table 4. Diagnostic morphological characters of the genera of the families Rhinopomatidae, Emballonuridae, Megadermatidae and Rhinolophidae present in South Asia ................................................................................................................................ 1047

 

Table 4.1. Diagnostic morphological characters of the three species of the genus Rhinopoma E. Geoffroy, 1818 present in South Asia ................................................................................................................................................................................ 1048

 

Table 4.2. Diagnostic morphological characters of five species of the genera Taphozous E. Geoffroy, 1818 and Saccolaimus Lesson, 1842 present in South Asia ........................................................................................................................................ 1049

 

Table 4.3. Diagnostic morphological characters of the two species of the genus Megaderma E. Geoffroy, 1810 present in South Asia ................................................................................................................................................................................. 1048

 

Table 4.4. Diagnostic morphological characters of twenty species of the genus Rhinolophus Lacépède, 1799 present in South Asia .. ................................................................................................................................................................................. 1050

 

Table 5. Diagnostic morphological characters of the genera of the family Hipposideridae present in South Asia .......................... 1054

 

Table 5.1. Diagnostic morphological characters of twelve species of the genus Hipposideros Gray, 1831 present in South Asia...1055

 

Table 5.2. Diagnostic morphological characters of one species each of the genera Triaenops Dobson, 1871; Asellia Gray, 1838; and Coelops Blyth, 1848 present in South Asia ................................................................................................................... 1057

 

Table 6. Diagnostic morphological characters of the genera of the family Molossidae present in South Asia ................................ 1058

 

Table 6.1. Diagnostic morphological characters of the species of the genera Tadarida Rafinesque, 1814, Chaerephon Dobson, 1874 and Otomops Thomas, 1913 present in South Asia ....................................................................................................... 1058

 

Table 7. Diagnostic morphological characters of the genera of the family Vespertilionidae present in South Asia ........................ 1059

 

Table 7.1. Diagnostic morphological characters of the species belonging to the genera Harpiocephalus, Harpiola and Murina present in South Asia .......................................................................................................................................................... 1062

 

Table 7.2. Diagnostic morphological characters of the species of the genus Kerivoula present in South Asia .............................. 1063

 

Table 7.3. Diagnostic morphological characters of the species belonging to the genus Myotis Kaup, 1829 present in South Asia ........ ....................................................................................................................................................................................1064

 

Table 7.4. Diagnostic morphological characters of the species belonging to the genera Plecotus, Barbastella and Otonycteris present in South Asia ............................................................................................................................................................. 1066

 

Table 7.5. Diagnostic morphological characters of the species belonging to the genera Scotoecus, Scotomanes and Scotophilus present in South Asia .......................................................................................................................................................... 1066

 

Table 7.6. Diagnostic morphological characters of the species belonging to the genus Arielulus, Hesperoptenus and Eptesicus present in South Asia ............................................................................................................................................................ 1067

 

Table 7.7. Diagnostic morphological characters of the species belonging to the genera Nyctalus, Scotozous and Pipistrellus present in South Asia ................................................................................................................................................................ 1068

 

Table 7.8. Diagnostic morphological characters of species of the genera Tylonycteris, Ia, Falsistrellus, Vespertilio, Philetor and Hypsugo present in South Asia ......................................................................................................................................... 1069

 

Table 8. Diagnostic morphological characters of one genus of the family Miniopteridae present in South Asia ............................. 1070

 

Table 8.1. Diagnostic morphological characters of species of the genera Miniopterus Bonaparte, 1837 present in South Asia .... 1071

 

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

We heartily acknowledge all the bat field researchers and taxonomists from the region and elsewhere whose published materials we relied upon to prepare this key. Many thanks are due to Dr. Paul J.J. Bates and Malcolm Pearch, Harrison Zoological Institute, Sevenoaks, UK; Dr. Y.P. Sinha, Retired Scientist, Gangetic Plains Research Station, Zoological Survey of India, Patna; Dr. A.M. Hutson, IUCN/SSC/Chiroptera Specialist Group, East Sussex, UK; and Dr. M.S. Pradhan, Retired Scientist, Western Ghats Regional Station, Zoological Survey of India, Pune for their encouragement, advice, support, comments and supply of important publications. We thank Dr. Ramakrishna, Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata for permission to study the chiropteran collection and Dr. S.S. Saha, Dr. T.P. Bhattacharyya and Mr. M.K. Ghosh for helping during the specimen studies. Dr. G. Marimuthu and Dr. K. Sripathi of Madurai Kamaraj University, their other colleagues and students deserve special thanks for their support during our visits to Madurai, especially during the South Asian Chiroptera CAMP Workshop. We also thank Dr. A. Madhavan, India; Dr. J.C. Daniel, Bombay Natural History Society, India; Dr. Manoj Muni, India; Dr. Wipula Yapa, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Mr. K.M. Swe, University of Yangon, Myanmar; Dr. T.K. Shrestha, Tribhuvan University, Nepal, and all other bat researchers, especially the CCINSA members, for sharing their knowledge.  We thank Dr. Wilma Jogunuri and Dr. Priya Raman, University of Arizona, USA for helping with references; Ms. Sally Walker and Mr. Sanjay Molur, Zoo Outreach Organization, Coimbatore for encouragement; Ms. Binu Priya, Ms. Padma Priya, and Ms. J. Sheela of Zoo Outreach Organization who never once minded scores of untimely and numerous requests for references and other information.  We thank Dr. Bhargavi Srinivasulu and Aditya Srinivasulu for help in the preparation of the manuscript and initial checks and Dr. Neil Furey, FFI Cambodia for last minute tweaking.  We thank Dr. G. Csorba, Head, Mammal Collection, Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest for his very valuable suggestions and inputs. We are also grateful to field researchers in South Asia who tested the key from 2002 to 2009 and responded with positive comments to incorporate amendments.  The first author acknowledges the post doctoral research grant by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi to work on fruit bat taxonomy in India.

 

 

For figures, keys & tables - - click here

 

 

Introduction

 

Of the rich diversity of vertebrate fauna, bats are unique in being the only group of mammals that, like birds, have sustained flight.  One of the 26 mammalian orders, the Chiroptera includes 1117 species of bats world over in rather two unequal suborders - the Megachiroptera (consisting 186 species of Old World fruit bats in one family) and the Microchiroptera (consisting 931 species in 17 families) (Mickleburgh et al. 1992; Koopman 1993; Srinivasulu & Srinivasulu 2001; Hutson et al. 2001; Mickleburgh et al. 2002; Simmons 2005).  Recent molecular phylogenetic studies challenged this traditional subdivision and proposed that the bats be subdivided into two new suborders (Table 1), Yinpterochiroptera (includes the families Pteropodidae, Rhinolophidae, Megadermatidae and Rhinopomatidae) and Yangochiroptera (includes all the remaining families) (Teeling et al. 2005).   However, until the new suborders are widely accepted, we prefer to retain the traditional subdivision.

Bats are widely distributed and have been recorded throughout the world excepting the Antarctic and a few Oceanic Islands (Mickleburgh et al. 2002).  Some of the bat families are widespread and are recorded from both the Old World and the New World.  Others are restricted in their range and are recorded either only from the Old World or the New World.  Of the 18 families of bats, eight families (Pteropodidae, Rhinopomatidae, Nycteridae, Megadermatidae, Rhinolophidae, Hipposideridae, Myzopodidae and Mystacinidae) are restricted to the Old World; six families (Noctilionidae, Phyllostomidae, Desmodontidae, Natalidae, Furipteridae and Thyropteridae) are restricted to the New World; and three families (Emballonuridae, Molossidae and Vespertilionidae) are found both in the Old and New Worlds (Mickleburgh et al. 2002; Simmons 2005).

 

Scope of this article

Although work on taxonomy and systematics of the region’s bat diversity has been considerable (recently reviewed by Bates & Harrison (1997)), there exists no published material that could help bat researchers in easy identification of bats both in the field and in the laboratory or museum.  The necessity of identifying living bats in the field and preserved specimens prompted the preparation of this key.  During the Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) Workshop on South Asian Bats, held at Madurai in southern India in January 2002, the need for such a key for the South Asian region was felt to be indispensable.  Hence, after deliberation and seeking the opinions from fellow bat researchers, the work on the preparation of the key for field identification of all the known species from Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives was undertaken by the first author.  We consulted published literature in the process of preparation of this work (Appendix I).

The key, designed for use with a vernier caliper or a millimeter scale and a hand lens, is modified from Blanford (1888-1891), Corbet & Hill (1992), and Bates & Harrison (1997).  Numerous other publications, listed in the Reference section, were also consulted.  As some authorities suggest that keys may lead to some confusion, the present work also incorporates identification character matrices in tabular form for the ease of the user.  In the character matrices the dental formula for each genus dealt with in this key is provided.  The dental formula includes details of incisors, canines, premolars, molars of one side for both upper and lower jaw followed by total number of teeth present.  Variations within genus are denoted by the numerical in parenthesis.

We encourage readers to contact the lead author with suggestions and recommendations so that the key may be kept current.

 

Taxonomic composition and endemicity of the bats of South Asia:

A total of 128 species of bats are reported from South Asia (Table 2), with the microchiropterans being better represented than the megachiropterans (115 vs. 13 species).  Among the Microchiroptera large number of species are from the family Vespertilionidae, followed by the families Rhinolophidae, Hipposideridae, Emballonuridae, Molossidae, Rhinopomatidae and Megadermatidae (Fig. 1).  Of this diversity, 10 species, namely, Pteropus faunulus (Pteropodidae), Pteropus melanotus (Pteropodidae), Latidens salimalii (Pteropodidae), Rhinolophus cognatus (Rhinolophidae), Rhinolophus mitratus (Rhinolophidae), Hipposideros durgadasi (Hipposideridae), Hipposideros hypophyllus (Hipposideridae), Myotis csorbai (Vespertilionidae), Eptesicus tatei (Vespertilionidae) and Harpiola grisea (Vespertilionidae) are endemic to the region.  Family-wise percent endemicity is greatest in Pteropodidae (21.4) followed by Hipposideridae (13.3), Rhinolophidae (11.7 species) and Vespertilionidae (4.8).

Among the countries representing South Asia, India has more than 90% of the total bat diversity of this region, while others have less than 50% diversity (Fig. 2).  Bhutan has 51%, Nepal has 40%, Pakistan has 33%, Bangladesh has 29%, Afghanistan has 28%, Sri Lanka has 23% and Maldives has 2% of the total bat diversity of South Asia.

 

Characters used for identification of bats

Identification of bats depends upon a series of external, cranial and dental measurements.  Besides mensural characters many qualitative characters also help in easy identification, and wherever applicable we have included these.  In this section, various external and cranial (including dental) measurements dealt in the present article as well as those useful in taxonomic studies have been detailed.

 

External (see Figs. 3a and 3b for details)

 

E (Ear length): from the lower border of the external auditory canal to the tip of the pinna, excluding hairs.

 

FA (Forearm length): taken with the wings folded, from the outer end of the elbow to the outer end of the wrist joint (or carpus).

 

HB (Head Body length): taken dorsally, from the tip of the snout to the base of the tail.

 

HF (Hindfoot length): from the outer end of the heel at the base of the calcar to the outer end of the longest digit, excluding hairs or claws.

 

TL (Tail length): from the base of the tail near the anal opening to tip of the tail.

 

Some other external measurements that are considered for taxonomic studies include:

3mt (Third metacarpal length): from the outer end of wrist joint (or carpus) to the distal outer end of the metacarpal.

 

1ph 3mt (Length of the first phalanx of the third metacarpal): from the proximal to the distal end of the first phalanx.

 

2ph 3mt (Length of the second phalanx of the third metacarpal): from the proximal to the distal end of the second phalanx.

(Note: Similarly, 4mt (length of the fourth metacarpal), 5mt (length of the fifth metacarpal), 1ph 4mt (Length of the first phalanx of the fourth metacarpal), and 2ph 4mt (Length of the second phalanx of the fourth metacarpal) is also taken in to consideration.)

 

TIB (Tibia length): taken from the knee joint to the ankle.

 

Thumb (Thumb length): length of the first digit including metacarpal and phalanx excluding claw.

 

WSP (Wingspan): maximum spread of the wing from tip to tip taken with wings fully stretched.

 

Cranial (see Figs. 4 and 5 for details)

 

CBL (Condylobasal length): from occipito-condyle to the anterior edge of alveolus of the anterior incisor.

 

CCL (Condylocanine length): from occipito-condyle to the anterior edge of alveolus of the canine.

 

CMn (Maxillary toothrow): from the front of the upper canine to the back of the crown of the last upper molar.

 

CMn (Mandibular toothrow): from the front of the lower canine to the back of the crown of the last lower molar.

 

GTL (Greatest length of the skull): from the extreme end of the anterior to the extreme end of the posterior parts of the skull.

 

M (Mandible length): from the extreme end of the condyle to the extreme end of the anterior of the mandible including the incisors.

 

Mn-Mn (Width across the last molars): taken from the outer borders of the crown of the last upper molars.

 

ZB (Zygomatic breadth): Greatest width of the skull across the zygomatic arches.

 

Some other dental and cranial measurements that are considered for taxonomic studies include:

BB (Breadth of the braincase): Greatest width of the brain case.

 

IC (Interorbital constriction): the narrowest width across the interorbital region.

 

RW (Rostral width): taken across the front of the orbits at their most anterior point.

 

Some important terms defined

 

Antebrachial membrane: membrane in front of the arm extending between shoulder to forearm, wrist or thumb.

 

Antitragus: a lobe developed from the basal part of the outer margin of the ear.

 

Bicuspidate: a tooth possessing two cusps.

 

Bifid: a structure having two distal processes.

 

Calcar: a cartilaginous or bony spur like projection arising from the ankle that supports the interfemoral membrane.

 

Canine: a single tall and pointed tooth situated behind the incisors in each toothrow.

 

Cusp: a prominence or point on tooth.

 

Echolocation: navigation in flight by means of the echo of sound pulses.

 

Gular sac: a glandular pouch like structure in the skin of the throat.

 

Incisor: a front tooth situated in front of the canine tooth in each toothrow.

 

Interfemoral membrane: also uropatagium, a membrane extending between inner margins of the legs and the distal end of the body enclosing all or a part of the tail.

 

Jugal: also malar or the cheekbone, present in the middle of the zygomatic arch.

 

Lancet: present in the forms belonging to the genus Rhinolophus, it is the erect, subtriangular, posterior part of the nose leaf.

 

Mandible: the lower jaw composed of two bones, fused to different degrees.

 

Metacarpal: one of the long bones of the hand of the bat extending from the carpal bones to the proximal phalanx of the finger.

 

Molar: a posterior cheektooth.

 

Narial: pertaining to nasal region.

 

Noseleaf: a simple to complex structure derived from the skin around the nose in some bats.

 

Pararhinal glands: specialized sebaceous glands on the side of the muzzle.

 

Phalanx: (plural Phalanges) Digital bone of a finger or toe.

 

Premolar: a cheektooth in front of the first molar.

 

Radio-metacarpal pouch: a pocket on the ventral side of the wing extending between the radius and the fifth metacarpal in some bats.

 

Rostrum: the facial part of the skull in front of the orbits.

 

Sella: a median anterior projection of the noseleaf of the genus Rhinolophus (Fig. 6).

 

Tibia: the bone extending between the knee and the ankle.

 

Tragus: a cutaneous projection at the opening of the external ear.

 

Unicuspid: a tooth with single cusp.

 

Zygoma: (plural Zygomata) The arch of the cheek bone comprising part of squamosal at the base, jugal in centre and part of maxilla in front.

 

 

Brief notes on Bats of South Asia

 

Order Chiroptera

Suborder Megachiroptera

Family Pteropodidae

Includes about 186 species of bats that feed chiefly on fruits, leaves, flowers and flower products.  Distributed in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania (Mickleburgh et al. 2002; Simmons 2005). They have strong muzzle and jaws. Do not possess noseleaf or tragus. Eyes are large. They possess keen sense of smell. Ears simple (Fig. 7A). Tail small or absent, and proximal part of the caudal vertebrae included, the distal ones are free (Fig. 8A).  Fourteen species belonging to eight genera have been reported from South Asia.

Brief descriptions of the genera of the family Pteropodidae present in South Asia:

Rousettus Gray, 1821 – Medium-sized fruit bats (FA – 75.0-90.0 mm) of rather heavier built and short tail (8.0-21.0 mm).  Muzzle heavy and has deep emargination between the projecting nostrils.  First digit has large claws while the second has smaller ones.  Males have well-developed glandular hairs on the throat than the females.  Echolocate for orientation within roost by clicking tongue against the roof of mouth.  Rostrum moderately elongated.  Two pairs of lower and upper incisors present.  Two species – R. aegyptiacus (E. Geoffroy, 1810) and R. leschenaultii (Desmarest, 1820)occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 3 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 3.1.

Pteropus Brisson, 1762 – Medium to large-sized fruit bats (FA – 110.0-209.0 mm) without tail.  Patagium arises from sides of dorsum and the back of the second toe. Uropatagium less developed.  Second digit has a small claw.  Rostrum moderate.  Two pairs of lower and upper incisors present.  Four species – P. giganteus Brünnich, 1782, P. hypomelanus Temminck, 1853, P. melanotus Blyth, 1863 and P. faunulus Miller, 1902 occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 3 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 3.2.

Cynopterus Cuvier, F., 1824 – Medium-sized fruit bats (FA – 57.0-79.0 mm) with short tail (2.0-19.0 mm) that is half enclosed within the interfemoral membrane.  Muzzle short, and has deep emargination between the projecting nostrils.  Both the first and second fingers have distinct claws.  Rostrum short.  Two pairs of lower and upper incisors present.  Two species – C. sphinx (Vahl, 1797) and C. brachyotis (Müller, 1838)occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 3 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 3.3.

Megaerops Peters, 1865 – Medium-sized fruit bats (FA – 52.0-63.0 mm) without any external tail.  Muzzle short, and has deep emargination between the projecting nostrils.  Ears simple with broadly rounded tips.  Interfemoral membrane narrow with dorsal medial parts hairy.  Rostrum short.  Two pairs of upper and one pair of lower incisors present.  One species –M. niphanae Yenbutra & Felten, 1983occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 3 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 3.4.

Latidens Thonglongya, 1972 – Medium-sized fruit bats (FA – 66.0-69.0 mm) without tail.  Muzzle long, and has deep emargination between the projecting nostrils.  Ears simple and oval, with narrowly rounded tips.  Interfemoral membrane with some hairs on upper and lower sides.  Rostrum elongated and narrow.  Only one pair of lower and upper incisors present.  One species – L. salimalii Thonglongya, 1972occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 3 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 3.4.

Sphaerias Miller, 1906 – Medium-sized fruit bats (FA – 52.0-61.0 mm) without tail.  Muzzle long, and has deep emargination between the projecting nostrils.  Ears with well defined pale anterior margin, and with small triangular antitragal lobe.  Interfemoral membrane very narrow and calcar absent.  Rostrum long and narrow.  Two pairs of lower and upper incisors present.  One species – S. blanfordi (Thomas, 1891)occurs in South Asia. Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 3 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 3.4.

Eonycteris Dobson, 1873 – Medium-sized fruit bats (FA – 66.0-78.0 mm) with well-developed tail (11.5-23.0 mm).  Muzzle long and thin, and has deep emargination between the projecting nostrils.  Only the thumb is clawed, second digit lacks claw.  Ears are narrowly rounded.  Interfemoral membrane very moderately broad, tail and calcar well-developed.   A pair of large anal glands present.  Tongue is sharply pointed and highly protrusible with well-developed unfringed filiform papillae at the tip.  Rostrum long and narrow.  Two pairs of lower and upper incisors present.  There are usually eight palatal ridges.  One species – E. spelaea (Dobson, 1871) – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 3 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 3.4.

Macroglossus Cuvier, F., 1824 – Small to medium-sized fruit bats (FA – 44.0-52.0 mm) without or with rudimentary tail (3.5-5.5 mm).  Specialized for nectar feeding, muzzle long and narrow.  The thumb and the second digit are clawed.  Ears medium with narrowly rounded tips, and small antitragal lobes.  Interfemoral membrane very narrow and is thickly haired.  Tongue is sharply pointed and highly protrusible.  Rostrum relatively long and narrow, braincase strongly deflected downwards.  Two pairs of lower and upper incisors present.  One species – M. sobrinus (K. Andersen, 1911) – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 3 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 3.4.

 

Suborder Microchiroptera

Family Rhinopomatidae

Includes five species of insectivorous bats.  Distributed in dry regions of Africa and Asia (Mickleburgh et al. 2002; Simmons 2005).  They have strong muzzle with thickened narial pads.  Possess rudimentary noseleaf (a distinct dermal ridge).  Ears with simple tragus (Fig. 7B) and joined over the forehead by thin membrane.  The second and the third digits of each wing have two distinct bony phalanges.  Tail very long, and is only partly enclosed by a small interfemoral membrane (Fig. 8D).  Three species belonging to a single genus is reported from South Asia.

Brief description of the genus of the family Rhinopomatidae present in South Asia:

Rhinopoma E. Geoffroy, 1818 – Small to medium-sized bats (FA – 46.0-74.0 mm) with long tail (49.0-78.0 mm).  Tail mostly projecting free from the interfemoral membrane.  One pair of upper and two pairs of lower incisors present.  Other characters as outlined above.  Three species – R. microphyllum (Brünnich, 1782), R. hardwickii Gray, 1837 and R. muscatellum Thomas, 1903 – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 4 and  those of the species belonging to it in Table 4.1.

 

Family Emballonuridae

Includes about 51 species of insectivorous bats with wide distribution in Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania (Mickleburgh et al. 2002; Simmons 2005).  They have strong muzzle, and lack noseleaf.  Ears with simple tragus.  The basal part of the tail is enclosed loosely in the interfemoral membrane and the tip pierces the upper surface of the membrane and lies free on the dorsal side (Fig. 8E).  Wings long and narrow and the second digit of each lack phalanges.  Males usually have well-developed glands.  Six species belonging to two genera are reported from South Asia.

Brief descriptions of the genera of the family Emballonuridae present in South Asia:

Taphozous E. Geoffroy, 1818 – Small to medium-sized bats (FA – 55.6-88.0 mm) with relatively medium sized and stout tail (20.0-46.0 mm).  In some the chin is either naked or haired, and gular sac and/or glands on throat present or lacking.  Some species have radio-metacarpal pouch on the wing.  Muzzle simple, lacks noseleaf, and nostrils open forward.  Rostrum moderately elongated.  One pair of upper and two pairs of lower incisors present.  Five species – T. perforatus E. Geoffroy, 1818, T. longimanus Hardwicke, 1825, T. nudiventris Cretzschmar, 1830-31, T. melanopogon Temminck, 1841 and T. theobaldi Dobson, 1872 – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 4 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 4.2.

Saccolaimus Lesson, 1842 – Medium-sized bats (FA – 63.0-68.0 mm) with relatively medium sized and stout tail (21.0-35.0 mm).  The chin is covered with short hairs.  Gular sac on throat well-developed in males and less developed in females.  Radio-metacarpal pouch absent.  Muzzle simple, lacks noseleaf, and nostrils open forward.  Rostrum moderately elongated.  One pair of upper and two pairs of lower incisors present.  One species – S. saccolaimus (Temminck, 1838) – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 4 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 4.2.

 

Family Megadermatidae

Includes five species of insectivorous and carnivorous bats with distribution restricted to Africa, Asia and Australia (Mickleburgh et al. 2002; Simmons 2005). Ears are large and oval, joined over the forehead by a membrane.  Tragus is distinctly bifid (Fig. 7C).  They have strong muzzle and noseleaf is simple and erect.  On each wing the second digit possess one phalanx and the third digit possess two phalanges.  Tail absent.  Two species belonging to one genus is reported from South Asia.

Brief description of the genus of the family Megadermatidae present in South Asia:

Megaderma E. Geoffroy, 1810 – Small to medium-sized bats (FA – 54.0-71.5 mm) without a tail. Upper incisors totally lacking and two pairs of lower incisors present.  Other characters as outlined above.  Two species – M. spasma Linnaeus, 1758 and M. lyra E. Geoffroy, 1810 – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 4 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 4.3.

 

Family Rhinolophidae

Includes about 77 species of insectivorous bats with wide distribution in Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia (Mickleburgh et al. 2002; Simmons 2005).  They have short muzzle and complex noseleaf that essentially bears an erect posterior lancet, lower horizontal horseshoe surrounding the nostrils and a perpendicular median sella (Fig. 9A).  Ears pointed with well-developed antitragus (Fig. 7D).  Tragus absent.  The tail (13.0-55.0 mm) is enclosed in the interfemoral membrane (Fig. 8B).  Twenty species belonging to the single genus is reported from South Asia.

Brief description of the genus of the family Rhinolophidae present in South Asia:

Rhinolophus Lacépède, 1799 – Small to medium-sized bats (FA – 33.4-80.5 mm) with relatively medium sized tail (13.0-55.0 mm).  One pair of upper and two pairs lower incisors present.  Other characters as outlined above.  Twenty species – R. ferrumequinum (Schreber, 1774), R. hipposideros (Bechstein, 1800), R. affinis Horsfield, 1823, R. pusillus Temminck, 1834, R. trifoliatus Temminck, 1834, R. luctus Temminck, 1835, R. rouxii Temminck, 1835, R. lepidus Blyth, 1844, R. macrotis Blyth, 1844, 1844 R. mitratus Blyth, 1844, R. subbadius Blyth, 1844, R. pearsonii Horsfield, 1851, R. blasii Peters, 1867, R. yunanensis Dobson, 1872, R. mehelyi Matschie, 1902, R. beddomei Andersen, 1905, R. sinicus Andersen, 1905, R. cognatus Andersen 1906, R. bocharicus Kastchenko and Akimov, 1917 and R. shortridgei K. Andersen, 1918 – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 4 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 4.4.

 

Family Hipposideridae

Includes about 81 species of insectivorous bats with wide distribution in Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania (Mickleburgh et al. 2002; Simmons 2005).  They have short muzzle and complex noseleaf that bears a horizontal horseshoe surrounding the nostrils, often thrown into skin folds and associated leaflets (Fig. 9B).  Intermediate leaf may or may not be clearly differentiated.  Posterior leaf simple to complex.  Sella and connecting process absent.  The tail is well-developed and enclosed in the interfemoral membrane (Fig. 8B).  Other characters vary at the generic level.  Fifteen species belonging to four genera are reported from South Asia.

Brief descriptions of the genera of the family Hipposideridae present in South Asia:

Hipposideros Gray, 1831 – Small to medium-sized leaf-nosed bats (FA – 33.0-99.0 mm) with a medium-sized tail (20.0-64.0 mm).  Noseleaf with anterior leaf with or without median emargination, an intermediate leaf and a posterior leaf (Fig. 8).  Supplementary leaflets may be absent or present, if present may vary from 1 to 4 and in some species the last being much reduced.  Ears pointed with large antitragus.  Tragus absent.  The interfemoral membrane is broad and completely encloses the tail except the extreme tip.  One pair of upper incisors and two pairs of lower incisors are present.  Twelve species – H. speoris (Schneider, 1800), H. diadema (Geoffroy, E., 1813), H. larvatus (Horsfield, 1823), H. armiger (Hodgson, 1835), H. fulvus Gray, 1838, H. galeritus Cantor, 1846, H. ater Templeton, 1848, H. lankadiva Kelaart, 1850, H. cineraceus Blyth, 1853, H. pomona Andersen, 1908, H. durgadasi Khajuria, 1970 and H. hypophyllus Kock & Bhat, 1994 – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 5 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 5.1.

Triaenops Dobson, 1871 – Medium-sized leaf-nosed bats (FA – 48.3-54.0 mm) with a long tail (31.0-39.0 mm).  Muzzle elongated and broad.  Noseleaf with anterior leaf with a deep median emargination, and internarial septum greatly expanded.  Intermediate and posterior leaves undifferentiated, and upper border bears three vertical pointed processes.  Narial lappets present.  A single pair of supplementary leaflets present.  Ears small.  Tragus absent.  The interfemoral membrane is broad and completely encloses the tail except the extreme tip.  A bony spicule at the base of the terminal phalanx of the third finger is characteristic.  One pair of upper and two pairs of lower incisors are present.  One species – T. persicus Dobson, 1871 – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 5 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 5.2.

Asellia Gray, 1838 – Medium-sized leaf-nosed bats (FA – 50.1-52.3 mm) with a moderately small tail (25.0-28.0 mm).  Muzzle elongated and narrow.  Noseleaf with simple anterior leaf lacking any emargination, and internarial septum not expanded.  Intermediate leaf is smooth and slightly protuberant.  Posterior leaf divided into four shallow cells with three ill-defined septa.  The upper margin has three vertical processes of which the central one is pointed while those on the sides are blunt.  Narial lappets little developed.  Two pairs of supplementary leaflets present.  The interfemoral membrane is broad and completely encloses the tail except the extreme tip (ca. 3-5 mm).  One pair of upper and two pairs of lower incisors are present.  One species – A. tridens Geoffroy, E., 1813 – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 5 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 5.2.

Coelops Blyth, 1848 – Small-sized leaf-nosed bats (FA – 37.8-42.0 mm) with a rudimentary tail (< 2.0 mm).  Noseleaf distinct with anterior leaf – distinctly divided into two by deep emargination and also bearing two elongated narrow supplementary lappets projecting beyond the muzzle.  Intermediate leaf has moderately developed median process.  Posterior leaf has a single cell and a median process.  Noseleaf is covered with hairs.  Ears broad and have large antitragal lobe.  The interfemoral membrane is narrow and poorly developed.  One pair of upper and two pairs of lower incisors are present.  One species – C. frithii Blyth, 1848 – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 5 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 5.2.

 

Family Molossidae

Includes about 100 species of insectivorous bats with wide distribution in Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania (Mickleburgh et al. 2002; Simmons 2005).  Lacks noseleaf.  Tail stout and conspicuously projecting out of a narrow interfemoral membrane (Fig. 8C).  Ears variable, usually fleshy could either be free or joined by membrane over the head.  Tragus is rudimentary, while the antitragus is rudimentary to large.  The upper lip often wrinkled.  Four species belonging to three genera are reported from South Asia.

Brief descriptions of the genera of the family Molossidae present in South Asia:

Tadarida Rafinesque, 1814 – Medium-sized free-tailed bats (FA – 43.1-63.9 mm) with a medium-sized tail (30.0-54.8 mm).  Ear, tail and other characters as outlined above.  In some species ears are not joined over the forehead, while in some they are joined.  Normally one pair of upper and two pairs of lower incisors are present, but one species has three pairs of lower incisors.  Two species – T. teniotis (Rafinesque, 1814) and T. aegyptiaca (E. Geoffroy, 1818) – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 6 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 6.1.

Chaerephon Dobson, 1874 – Moderate-sized free-tailed bats (FA – 43.1-50.5 mm) with a relatively long tail (30.0-44.0 mm).  Ears large and connected by a membrane over the forehead.  Tragus quadrate and minute, and antitragus half oval, separated posteriorly by a deep notch.  One pair of upper and two pairs of lower incisors are present.  One species – C. plicatus (Buchanan, 1800) – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 6 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 6.1.

Otomops Thomas, 1913 – Moderately large-sized free-tailed bats (FA – 63.0-67.0 mm) with a relatively long tail (41.0-49.0 mm).  Ears large and connected by a membrane over the forehead.  Tragus triangular and minute, and antitragus absent.  One pair of upper and two to three pairs of lower incisors are present.  One species – O. wroughtoni (Thomas, 1913) – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 6 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 6.1.

 

Family Vespertilionidae

Includes more than 400 species of insectivorous bats with wide distribution in Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania (Mickleburgh et al. 2002; Simmons 2005).  Muzzle simple and lacks the noseleaf.  Ears separate from each other, however in few species they are joined over the forehead.  Tragus is well-developed (Fig. 7E, F, G, H).  The shape of antitragus can also be diagnostic.  There is a considerable variation in the number of teeth among the genera.  The long tail is completely enclosed in the interfemoral membrane or the extreme tip protrudes out (Fig. 8B).  Sixty-three species belonging to twenty three genera are reported from South Asia.

Brief descriptions of the genera of the family Vespertilionidae present in South Asia:

Murina Gray, 1842 – Small to medium-sized bats (FA – 27.7-40.9 mm) with a moderately long tail (27.0-41.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears short and broad with long and narrow tragus.  Projecting tubular nostrils characteristic.  Wings attached either to the base of the claw of the first toe or to the base of the toe.  Two pairs of upper incisors and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  Two pairs each of upper and lower premolars are present.  Five species – M. leucogaster Milne-Edwards, 1872, M. aurata Milne-Edwards, 1872, M. cyclotis Dobson, 1872, M. huttoni (Peters, 1872) and M. tubinaris (Scully, 1881) – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.1.

Harpiola Thomas, 1915 – Medium-sized bats (FA – 32.4-32.8 mm) with a moderately long tail (~27.5 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears short and broad with triangular terminal half.  Tragus long and narrow, acutely pointed and curved outwards.  Projecting tubular nostrils characteristic.  Wings attached to the base of the first toe.  Two pairs of upper incisors and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  Two pairs each of upper and lower premolars are present.  One species – H. grisea (Peters, 1872) – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.1.

Harpiocephalus Gray, 1842 – Small to medium-sized bats (FA – 44.1-50.1 mm) with a moderately long tail (40.0-50.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Muzzle short.  Ears moderate with long tragus.  Projecting tubular nostrils characteristic.  Two pairs of upper incisors and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  Two pairs each of upper and lower premolars are present.  One species – H. harpia (Temminck, 1840) – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and that of the species belonging to it in Table 7.1.

Kerivoula Gray, 1842 – Small-sized bats (FA – 31.5-42.0 mm) with a long tail (35.0-55.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears moderately long and funnel shaped with long and slender tragus.  Muzzle simple.  Two pairs of upper incisors and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  Three pairs each of upper and lower premolars are present.  Three species – K. picta (Pallas, 1767), K. hardwickii (Horsfield, 1825) and K. lenis Thomas, 1916 – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.2.

Myotis Kaup, 1829 – Small to medium-sized bats (FA – 30.0-58.3 mm) with a long tail (25.0-68.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears usually tall and slender, and occasionally large.  Tragus well-developed and spear shaped (Fig. 7E).  Two pairs of upper and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  Some species have three pairs each of upper and lower premolars, while in some species consistently only two pairs of both upper and lower premolars present.  Fourteen species – M. emarginatus (E. Geoffroy, 1806), M. laniger (Peters, 1871), M. formosus (Hodgson, 1835), M. hasseltii (Temminck, 1840), M. horsfieldii (Temminck, 1840), M. muricola (Gray, 1846), M. siligorensis (Horsfield, 1855), M. blythii (Tomes, 1857), M. annectans (Dobson, 1871), M. nipalensis (Dobson, 1871), M. longipes (Dobson, 1873), M. montivagus (Dobson, 1874), M. sicarius Thomas, 1915 and M. csorbai Topal, 1997 – occur in South Asia. Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.3.

Plecotus Geoffroy, E., 1818 – Small-sized bats (FA – 36.5-45.1 mm) with a long tail (48.0-54.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears usually large and joined over the forehead.  Tragus well-developed and antitragus absent (Fig. 7F).  Nostrils open upwards with their orifices extended backwards by a fissure.  Two pairs of upper and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  Two pairs of upper and three pairs of lower premolars are present.  Three species – P. homochrous Hodgson, 1847, P. wardi Thomas, 1911 and P. strelkovi Spitzenberger, 2008 occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.4.

Barbastella Gray, 1821 – Small-sized bats (FA – 38.7-42.1 mm) with a moderately long tail (40.0-47.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears broad and not greatly elongated, forward facing and joined over the forehead.  Tragus triangular and antitragus undefined.  Nostrils open upwards and outwards.  Two pairs of upper and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  Two pairs each of upper and lower premolars are present.  One species – B. leucomelas (Cretzschmar, 1826) occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.4.

Otonycteris Peters, 1859 – Large-sized bats (FA – 64.7-65.6 mm) with a moderately long tail (40.0-58.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail. Ears elongated.  Tragus large and antitragus small with a shallow notch.  Nostrils are crescent shaped.  One pair of upper and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  One pair of upper and two pairs of lower premolars are present.  One species – O. hemprichii Peters, 1859 – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.4.

Scotoecus Thomas, 1901 – Small-sized bats (FA – 34.1-37.3 mm) with a moderately long tail (34.0-41.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears moderate with long and narrow tragus.  Muzzle broadened and flattened.  One pair of upper and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  One pair of upper and two pairs of lower premolars are present.  One species – S. pallidus Dobson, 1876 – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.5.

Scotomanes Dobson, 1875 – Medium to large-sized bats (FA – 56.1-61.2 mm) with a moderately long tail (52.0-66.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears elongated with broad tragus.  Antitragus undefined.  Nostrils simple and face slightly outward.  One pair of upper and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  One pair of upper and two pairs of lower premolars are present.  One species – S. ornatus (Blyth, 1851) – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.5.

Scotophilus Leach, 1821 – Medium to large-sized bats (FA – 44.0-65.8 mm) with a moderately long tail (40.0-71.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears relatively small with crescent shaped tragus.  Antitragus well-developed.  Nostrils simple and face slightly outward.  One pair of upper and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  One pair of upper and two pairs of lower premolars are present.  Two species – S. kuhlii Leach, 1821 and S. heathi Horsfield, 1831 – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.5.

Arielulus Hill & Harrison, 1987 – Large-sized bats (FA – 41.8-43.6 mm) with a moderately long tail (~40.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears short and broad, tragus well-developed and broadest in the middle.  Usually two pairs of upper and three pairs of lower incisors; and two pairs each of upper and lower premolars are present.  One species – A. circumdatus (Temminck, 1840) – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.6.

Hesperoptenus Peters, 1869 – Medium to large-sized bats (FA – 50.0-60.4 mm) with a moderately long tail (44.0-63.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears large, thick and fleshy with large crescent shaped tragus.  Antitragus well-developed.  Muzzle broadened.  Two pairs of upper incisors and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  One pair of upper premolars and two pairs of lower premolars are present.  One species – H. tickelli (Blyth, 1851) – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.6.

Eptesicus Rafinesque, 1820 – Small to medium-sized bats (FA – 35.4-55.1 mm) with a moderately long tail (38.0-58.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears large with short and blunt tragus.  Antitragus not well defined.  Two pairs of upper and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  One pair of upper and two pairs of lower premolars are present.  Seven species – E. serotinus (Schreber, 1774), E. bottae (Peters, 1869), E. pachyotis (Dobson, 1871), E. nasutus (Dobson, 1877), E. dimissus Thomas, 1916, E. gobiensis Bobrinskii, 1926 and E. tatei Ellerman & Morrison-Scott, 1951 – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.6.

Nyctalus Bowdich, 1825 – Medium-sized bats (FA – 42.1-57.8 mm) with a moderately long tail (31.0-55.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears relatively short with a club shaped tragus.  Two pairs of upper and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  Two pairs each of upper and lower premolars are present.  Three species – N. noctula (Schreber, 1774); N. leisleri (Kuhl, 1817); and N. montanus (Barrett-Hamilton, 1906) – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.7.

Pipistrellus Kaup, 1829 – Small to medium-sized bats (FA – 25.0-42.6 mm) with a moderately long tail (20.0-49.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears short and broad, tragus well-developed (Fig. 7G).  Antitragus is not well defined.  On the muzzle, pararhinal glands and internarial groove are distinct.  Usually two pairs of upper and three pairs of lower incisors; and two pairs each of upper and lower premolars are present.  Some species have reduction in dentition. Eight species – P. pipistrellus (Schreber, 1774), P. kuhlii (Kuhl, 1817), P. coromandra (Gray, 1838), P. javanicus (Gray, 1838), P. abramus (Temminck, 1840), P. tenuis (Temminck, 1840), P. ceylonicus (Kelaart, 1852) and P. paterculus Thomas, 1915 – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.7.

Scotozous Dobson, 1875 – Medium-sized bats (FA – 32.7-36.0 mm) with a moderately long tail (27.0-41.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears short and broad, tragus well-developed with small triangular lobe near the base of the outer margin.  Penis enlarged.  One pair of upper (second upper usually absent, when present very minute) and three pairs of lower incisors; and two pairs each of upper and lower premolars are present.  One species – S. dormeri Dobson, 1875 – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.7.

Tylonycteris Peters, 1872 – Small-sized bats (FA – 26.1-29.0 mm) with a long tail (26.0-33.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears triangular, with short and broad tragus.  Head characteristically broadened and flattened.  Fleshy pads on the ball of thumb and sole of the foot characteristic.  Two pairs of upper and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  One pair of upper and two pairs of lower premolars are present.  Two species – T. pachypus (Temminck, 1840) and T. robustula Thomas, 1915 – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.8.

Ia Thomas, 1902 – Large-sized bats (FA – 70.9-77.3 mm) with a moderately long tail (~ 65.0mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail (~ 6.0mm). Ears broad with moderately long tragus.  Nostrils simple and face slightly outward.  Two pairs of upper and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  Two pairs each of upper and lower premolars are present.  One species – I. io Thomas, 1902 – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.8.

Falsistrellus Throughton, 1943 – Medium-sized bats (FA – 38.4-41.4 mm) with a moderately long tail (30.0-41.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears squarish with broadly rounded tips, tragus well-developed with a small triangular lobe near the base of the outer margin.  On the muzzle, pararhinal glands and internarial groove are distinct.  Two pairs of upper and three pairs of lower incisors; and two pairs each of upper and lower premolars are present.  One species – F. affinis (Dobson, 1871) – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.8.

Philetor Thomas, 1902 – Small-sized bats (FA – 31.7-35.7 mm) with a moderately long tail (27.1-32.2 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears short with broad, short fleshy and thick tragus.  Two pairs of upper incisors and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  One pair of upper premolars and two pairs of lower premolars are present.  One species – P. brachypterus (Temminck, 1840) – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.8.

Vespertilio Linnaeus, 1758 – Medium-sized bats (FA – 42.0-45.5 mm) with a moderately long tail (40.0-48.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears relatively small and broad, with small, short, blunt and rounded tragus.  Antitragus well defined.  Nostrils simple and face slightly outward.  Two pairs of upper and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  One pair of upper and two pairs of lower premolars are present.  One species – V. murinus Linnaeus, 1758 – occurs in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.8.

Hypsugo Kolenati, 1856 – Medium-sized bats (FA – 32.1-38.0 mm) with a moderately long tail (30.0-49.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears short and broad, tragus well-developed.  Antitragus is not well defined.  Usually two pairs of upper and three pairs of lower incisors; and one pair of upper and two pairs lower premolars are present.  Two species – H. savii (Bonaparte, 1873) and H. cadornae (Thomas, 1916) – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 7 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 7.8.

 

Family Miniopteridae

Includes about 19 species of insectivorous bats with wide distribution in Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania (Mickleburgh et al. 2002; Simmons 2005).  Muzzle simple and lacks the noseleaf.  Ears separate from each other.  Tragus is well-developed.  The long tail is completely enclosed in the interfemoral membrane or the extreme tip protrudes out.  Characteristically posses greatly elongated third digit whose second phalanx is markedly longer than that of the first, owing to which the distal end of the wing bends over the body while at rest.  Three species belonging to one genus are reported from South Asia.

Miniopterus Bonaparte, 1837 – Medium-sized bats (FA – 39.6-49.6 mm) with a long tail (39.6-61.0 mm).  The interfemoral membrane encloses the entire but the extreme tip of the tail.  Ears small with tall, slender and slightly forwardly curved tragus (Fig. 7H).  Muzzle short.  Two pairs of upper incisors and three pairs of lower incisors are present.  Two pairs of upper premolars and three pairs of lower premolars are present.  Three species – M. fuliginosus (Hodgson, 1835), M. pusillus Dobson, 1876 and M. magnater Sanborn, 1931 – occur in South Asia.  Diagnostic morphological characters of the genus are provided in Table 8 and those of the species belonging to it in Table 8.1.

 

 

References

 

Bates, P.J.J. & D.L. Harrison (1997). Bats of the Indian Subcontinent. Harrison Zoological Museum Publications, Sevenoaks, UK, 258 pp.

Blanford, W.T. (1888-91). The Fauna of British India, Mammalia. Taylor & Francis, London, 617pp. (in two parts).

Corbet, G.B. & J.E. Hill (1992). The Mammals of the Indomalayan Region. British Museum (Natural History)/Oxford University Press, London, 488pp.

Eick, G.N., D.S. Jacobs & C.A. Matthee (2005). A nuclear DNA phylogenetic perspective on the evolution of echolocation and historical biogeography of extant bats (Chiroptera). Molecular Biology and Evolution 22(9): 1869-1886

Gunnel, G.F. & N.B. Simmons (2005). Fossil evidence and the origin of bats. Journal of Mammalian Evolution 12: 209-246.

Hutson, A.M., S.P. Mickleburgh & P.A. Racey (compilers) (2001). Microchiropteran Bats: Global Status, Survey and Conservation Action Plan. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Chiroptera Specialist Group (IUCN/SSC). Gland, Switzerland, 258pp.

Jones, G. & E.C. Teeling (2006). The evolution of echolocation in bats. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 21(3): 149-156.

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Mickleburgh, S.P., A.M. Hutson & P.A. Racey (compilers) (1992). Old World Fruit Bats. An Action Plan for their Conservation. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Chiroptera Specialist Group (IUCN/SSC), Gland, Switzerland, 252pp.

Mickleburgh, S.P., A.M. Hutson & P.A. Racey (2002). A review of the global conservation status of bats. Oryx 36(1): 18-34.

Molur, S., G. Marimuthu, C. Srinivasulu, S. Mistry, A.M. Hutson, P.J.J. Bates, S. Walker, K.P. Priya & A.R.B. Priya (eds.) (2002). Status of South Asian Chiroptera: Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (C.A.M.P.) Workshop Report. Zoo Outreach Organisation, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group South Asia, and Wildlife Information & Liaison Development Society, Coimbatore, India, viii+154pp.+CD.

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Simmons, N.B. & J.H. Geisler (1998). Phylogenetic relationships of Icaronycteris, Archaeonycteris, Hassianycteris and Palaeochiropteryx to extant bat lineages with comments on the evolution of echolocation and foraging strategies in Microchiroptera. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 235: 1-182.

Springer, M.S., E.C. Teeling, O. Madsen, M.J. Stanhope & W.W. De Jong (2001). Integrated fossil and molecular data reconstruct bat echolocation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA) 98: 6241–6246.

Srinivasulu, C. & B. Srinivasulu (2001). Bats of the Indian subcontinent. Current Science 80(11): 1378-1380.

Srinivasulu, C., B. Srinivasulu & Y.P. Sinha (in review). Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of South Asia: Biogeography, Diversity, Taxonomy and Distribution. Journal of Threatened Taxa.

Teeling, E.C., M.S. Springer, O. Madsen, P. Bates, S.J. O’Brien & W.J. Murphy (2005). A molecular phylogeny for bats illuminates biogeography and the fossil record. Science 307: 580-584.

 

 

Appendix I. Some important literature consulted to prepare the key

 

Advani, R. (1982). Distribution and status of chiroptera species in Rajasthan, India. Saugertierkundliche Mitteilungen 30(1): 49-52.

Aellen, V. (1959). Contribution a 1etude de la faune d’Afghanistan. Chiropteres. Revue suisse Zoologie 66: 353-386.

Agrawal, V.C. (1973). On a collection of bats from Goa. Records of the Zoological Survey of India 67: 261-280.

Agrawal, V.C. & T.P. Bhattacharyya (1976). Report on a collection of mammals from Nagarjuna Sagar, Andhra Pradesh. Newsletter of the Zoological Survey of India 2(5): 212-216.

Agrawal, V.C. & T.P. Bhattacharyya (1977). Report on a collection of mammals from Tripura. Records of the Zoological Survey of India 73(1-4): 135-157.

Agrawal, V.C. & S. Chakraborty (1971). Notes on a collection of small mammals from Nepal, with the description of a new mouse-hare (Lagomorpha: Ochotonidae). Proceedings of the Zoological Society, Calcutta 24(1): 41-46.

Agrawal, V.C., P.K. Das, S. Chakraborty. R.K. Ghose, A.K. Mandal, T.K. Chakraborty, A.K. Poddar, J.P. Lal, T.P. Bhattacharyya & M.K. Ghosh (1992). Mammalia. pp.27-169. In: Director, ZSI (ed.). State Fauna Series 3: Fauna of West Bengal, Part 1. Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta.

Agrawal, V.C. & Y.P. Sinha (1973). Studies on the bacula of some oriental bats. Anatomischer Anzeiger 133: 180-192.

Ahmed, S.K. & K.Z. Husain (1982). Bats of Bangladesh. Journal Asiatic Society of Bangladesh (Science) 8: 89-99.

Allen, G.M. (1936). Two new races of Indian bats. Records Indian Museum 38: 343-346.

Allen, G.M. (1938). The Mammals of China and Mongolia. American Museum of Natural History, New York, 620pp.

Andersen, K. (1908). Twenty new forms of Pteropus. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 2: 361-370.

Andersen, K. (1910). Ten new fruit-bats of the genera Nyctimene, Cynopterus and Eonycteris. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 7: 641-643.

Andersen, K. (1911). Six new fruit-bats of the genera Macroglossus and Syconycteris. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 7: 641-­643.

Andersen, K. (1912). Catalogue of the Chiroptera in the collection of the British Museum, vol. I: Megachiroptera. British Museum (Natural History) London, 854pp.

Andersen, K. (1918). Diagnoses of new bats of the families Rhinolophidae and Megadermatidae. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 2: 374-384.

Andersen, K. & R.C. Wroughton (1907). On bats of the family Megadermatidae. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 19: 129-145.

Anderson, J. (1881). Catalogue of the Mammalia in the Indian Museum, Calcutta. Part I. Primates, Prosimiae, Chiroptera and Insectivora. Calcutta.

Barrett-Hamilton, G.E.H. (1906). Description of two new species of Pterygistes. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 17: 98-100.

Barrett-Hamilton, G.E.H. (1907). Description of two new species of Plecotus. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 20: 520-521.

Bates, P.J.J. & D.L. Harrison (1997). Bats of the Indian Subcontinent. Harrison Zoological Museum Publications, Sevenoaks, UK, 258pp.

Bates, P.J.J., D.L. Harrison & M. Muni (1994a). The Bats of Western India - Part 1. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 91(1): 1-­15.

Bates, P.J.J., D.L. Harrison & M. Muni (1994b). The Bats of Western India - Part 2. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 91(2): 224-240.

Bates, P.J.J., D.L. Harrison & M. Muni (1994c). The Bats of Western India - Part 3: Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 91(3): 360-380.

Bates, P.J.J., D.L. Harrison, N.M. Thomas & M. Muni (1994d). The Indian fruit bat Latidens salimalii Thonglongya, 1972 (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) rediscovered in southern India. Bonner Zoologische Beitrage 45(2): 89-98.

Bhat, H.R. (1968a). Dobson’s long nosed fruit bat, Eonycteris spelaea (Dobson), from Kumaon Hills, U.P.: an addition to the chiropteran fauna of India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 64: 550-551.

Bhat, H.R. (1968b). Sphaerias blanfordi (Thomas, 1891) from Himalayan region of Uttar Pradesh: an addition to the chiropteran fauna of India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 65: 471-473.

Bhat, H.R. (1974). Records and observations on bats of Himalayan region of Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 71(1): 51-57.

Bhattacharyya, T.P. (1975). Occurrence of Dobson’s long­-tongued fruit bat, Eonycteris spelaea (Dobson) (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Pteropidae) in the Andaman Islands, India. Science Culture 41(7): 317-318.

Blanford, W.T. (1888-91). The Fauna of British India, Mammalia. Taylor & Francis, London, 617pp. (in two parts).

Blyth, E. (1846). Notes on the fauna of the Nicobar Islands. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 15: 367-369.

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Bogdanowicz, W. (1994). Myotis daubentonii. Mammalian Species 475: 1-9.

Brosset, A. (1962a). The bats of central and western India - Part I. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 59: 1-57.

Brosset, A. (1962b). The bats of central and western India - Part II. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 59: 583-624.

Brosset, A. (1962c). The bats of central and western India - Part III. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 59: 707-746.

Brosset, A. (1963). The bats of central and western India. Part. IV. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 60: 337-355.

Carter, T.D. (1943). The Mammals of the Vernay-Chindwin Expedition, Northern Burma. Bulletin of the American Museum Natural History 82(4): 95-114.

Chakraborty, S. (1975). On a collection of Mammals from Bhutan. Records of the Zoological Survey of India 68: 1-20.

Chakraborty, S. (1983). Contribution to the knowledge of the mammalian fauna of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India Miscellanous Publications, Occasional Paper No. 38: 1-129.

Chasen, F.N. (1940). A handlist of Malaysian mammals. Bulletin Raffles Museum 15: 209

Corbet, G.B. (1978). The Mammals of the Palaearctic Region: a taxonomic review. British Museum (Natural History), London, 314 pp.

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Corbet, G.B. & J.E. Hill (1992). The Mammals of the Indomalayan Region. British Museum (Natural History)/Oxford University Press, London, 488pp.

Csorba, G. & P.J.J. Bates (1995). A new subspecies of the Horseshoe bat Rhinolophus macrotis from Pakistan (Chiroptera, Rhinolophidae). Acta Zoologica Academy Scientorum Hungaricae 41(3): 285-293.

Das, P.K. (1986). Studies on the taxonomy and geographical distribution of the species of bat obtained by the Silent Valley (Kerala, India) expedition, 1980. Records of the Zoological Survey of India 84(1): 259-276.

Das, P.K. & Y.P. Sinha (1995). Occurrence of the Japanese Pipistrelle, Pipistrellus abramus (Temminck, 1840) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in Myanmar (Burma) and India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 92: 252-254.

Das, P.K., R.K. Ghose, T.K. Chakraborty, T.P. Bhattacharyya & M.K. Ghosh (1995). Mammalia, pp.23-128. In: Director, ZSI (ed.). State Fauna Series 4: Fauna of Meghalaya, Part 1. Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta.

Das, P.K., J.P. Lal & V.C. Agrawal (1993). Mammalia. pp.143-180. In: Director, ZSI (ed.), State Fauna Series I: Fauna of Orissa, Part 4. Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta.

Dobson, G.E. (1872). Brief description of five new species of rhinolophine bats. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 41: 336-338.

Dobson, G.E. (1873a). Description of a new species of Vespertilio from the northwestern Himalaya. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 42(2): 205-206.

Dobson, G.E. (1873b). On the genera Murina and Harpyiocephalus of Gray. Proceedings of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, pp.107-110.

Dobson, G.E. (1874a). On the Asiatic species of Molossi. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 43(2): 142-144.

Dobson, G.E. (1874b). List of Chiroptera inhabiting the Khasia Hills, with description of new species. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 43(2): 234-236.

Dobson, G.E. (1874c). Descriptions of new species of Chiroptera from India and Yunan. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 43(2): 237-238.

Dobson, G.E. (1875). Description of new species of Vespertilionidae. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 16: 260-262.

Dobson, G.E. (1876). Monograph of the Asiatic Chiroptera and catalogue of the species of bats in the collection of the Indian Museum, Calcutta. London.

Dobson, G. E. (1878). Catalogue of the Chiroptera in the collection of the British Museum. London, 567pp.

Ellerman, J.R. & T.C.S. Morrison-Scott (1951). Checklist of Palaearctic and Indian Mammals 1758 to 1946. British Museum (Nat Hist), London, 810pp.

Finn, F. (1929). Sterndale’s mammalia of India. Thacker, Spink & Co., Madras, 347pp.

Fry, T.B. (1925). Report No 37a: Nepal. Bombay Natural History Society’s Mammal Survey of India, Burma and Ceylon. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 30: 525-530.

Fry, T.B. (1928). Report No 46: On a collection from Toungoo, Burma. Bombay Natural History Society’s Mammal Survey of India, Burma and Ceylon. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 30: 545-547.

Gharaibeh, B.M. & M.Z. Qumsiyeh (1995). Otonycteris hemprichii. Mammalian Species 514: 1-4.

Gray, J.E. (1870). Catalogue of monkeys, lemurs, and fruit­eating bats in the collection of the British Museum. Trustees of the British Museum, London (dated 1870 but published 1871). i-viii, 1­-137.

Hill, J.E. (1958). Some observations on the fauna of the Maldive Islands. Part II. Mammals. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 55: 3-10.

Hill, J.E. (1961). Indo-Australian bats of the genus Tadarida. Mammalia 25: 29-56.

Hill, J.E. (1962). Notes on some insectivores and bats from Upper Burma. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 139(1): 119-137.

Hill, J.E. (1963). Occurrence of the European free-tailed bat [Tadarida teniotis (Rafinesque)] (Chiroptera: Molossidae) in India. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 60: 723-725.

Hill, J.E. (1965). Asiatic bats of the genera Kerivoula and Phoniscus (Vespertilionidae), with a note on Kerivoula aerosa Tomes. Mammalia 29: 524-556.

Hill, J.E. (1966). A review of the genus Philetor (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History), Zoology Series 14: 371-387.

Hill, J.E. (1967). The bats of the Andaman and Nicobar Island. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 64(1): 1-9.

Hill, J.E. (1971a). A note on Pteropus (Chiroptera: Pteropidae) from the Andaman Islands. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 68(1): 1-8.

Hill, J.E. (1971b). The bats of Aldabra Atoll, western Indian Ocean. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society (B) 260: 573-577.

Hill, J.E. (1972). The status of Vespertilio brachypterus Temminck, 1840 (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Zoologische Mededelingen, Leiden 45(12): 139-146.

Hill, J.E. (1974). A review of Scotoecus Thomas, 1901 (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Bulletin of the British Museum of Natural History (Zoology) 27(4): 169-188.

Hill, J. E. (1976a). Bats referred to Hesperoptenus Peters, 1869 (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with the description of a new subgenus. Bulletin of the British Museum of Natural History (Zoology) 32: 1-28.

Hill, J.E. (1976b). Further records of Myotis peshwa (Thomas 1915) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from the Indian peninsula. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 73(3): 433-437.

Hill, J.E. (1977). A review of the Rhinopomatidae (Mammalia: Chiroptera). Bulletin of British Museum Natural History (Zoology) 32(2): 29-43.

Hill, J.E. (1983). Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from Indo-­Australia. Bulletin of British Museum Natural History (Zoology) 45: 103-208.

Hill, J.E. (1986). A note on Rhinolophus pearsoni Horsfield, 1851 and Rhinolophus yunanensis Dobson, 1872 (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae). Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 83(Supl.) (Centenary issue): 12-18.

Hill, J.E. & D.L. Harrison (1987). The baculum in the Vespertilioninae (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with a systematic review, a synopsis of Pipistrellus and Eptesicus, and the descriptions of a new genus and subgenus. Bulletin of British Museum Natural History (Zoology) 52: 225-305.

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Wroughton, R.C. (1918b). Summary of the results from the Indian mammal survey. Part 2. Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society 26: 19-58.

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