A new genus of vespertilionid bat from Early Miocene of Jebel Zelten, Libya, with comments on Scotophilus and early history of vespertilionid bats (Chiroptera)

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2006
Authors:I. Horáček, Fejfar, O., Hulva, P.
Journal:Lynx
Volume:37
Pagination:131-150
Date Published:2006
Keywords:Chiroptera, evolution, fossils, Libya, morphology, North Africa, palaeontology, Scotophilisis libycus gen. & sp. nov., Vespertilionidae
Abstract:

(A well preserved mandible of a vespertilionid bat is described from the MN45 site Jebel Zelten MS2, Libya. The bat shows a greatly derived state in most of dental characters, but it differs from the Recent genera with corresponding degree of dental reduction (Eptesicus, Scotomanes, Hesperoptenus), in shape of molars and symphyseal region. In certain respects it reminds the Recent Scotophilus and the Late Paleogene African genus Philisis. A possibility that Philisis and the Jebel Zelten bat, described here as Scotophilisis libycus gen. nov et sp. nov, form a stem line of Scotophilus is discussed in context with recent molecular data on position of the genus.

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