| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication: | 1993 |
| Authors: | V. Van Cakenberghe, De Vree F. |
| Journal: | Bonn. zool. Beitr. |
| Volume: | 44 |
| Pagination: | 299-332 |
| Date Published: | 1993a |
| Keywords: | Africa, Chiroptera, evolution, Faunistik, Fledermäuse, Mammalia, morphology, Nycteridae, Nycteris aurita, Nycteris grandis, Nycteris hispida, revision, sibling species, speciation, species richness, systematics, taxonomy, zoogeography |
| Abstract: | In this paper the systematics of the African Nycteris hispida species group is discussed. Using multivariate statistical techniques, three species can be distinguished in this group: one extremely large Nycteris grandis Peters, 1865, and two smaller species: Nycteris hispida (Schreber, 1774) and Nycteris aurita (K. Andersen, 1912). It is shown why both latter species are generally lumped together, since they are very alike when external measurements are compared univariably. None of the three species shows sufficient geographical differences to permit subspecific division. Besides biometrical data, the distribution of the three species is discussed and a review of all publications concerning the various forms is presented. Additionally the sexual dimorphism in the different species was examined, indicating that one must be very careful in attributing sexual dimorphism if the specimens originate from a large geographic area. |