XXXIV ri.ASTIC CHARACTERS. 



l)e a little less regular, and some of the posterior ridges mf\y be 

 more distinctly divided at middle (for those details see the descrip- 

 tions and figures under each genus). But the P^pomophorine is the 

 only section of Fruit-bats in which more essential modifications of 

 the system of ridges occur; in that section, and in that only, nearly 

 every genus has its own peculiar form and arrangement of the 

 palate-ridges, and in some cases {Epomops, Epomojilwrus) even the 

 species may be identified from the characters of their soft palate 

 (or, if this is removed, from the impressions left by some of the 

 heavier ridges on the bony palate). Omitting all details, the modi- 

 fications of the soft palate in the Epomophorine section of genera 

 are briefly these : — 



The simple palate-ridges of Plerotes have already been referred to 

 above. In two of the three known species of the related Epomops, 

 viz. E. franqueti and huettil-oferi (figs. 31 A, B, p. 489), the general 

 arrangement is still comparatively little modified, but the three 

 anterior (interdental) ridges are become thick and prominent : in 

 the third species, E. dohsoni (fig. .31 C, same page) a similar thicken- 

 ing of the three anterior ridges has taken place and, in addition to 

 this, also the fourth and fifth ridges are modified, being heavy and 

 triangularly prominent. The jialate of the closely allied Ni/psi- 

 f/nathus (fig. 34 C, p. 504) differs only in less important details 

 from that of Epomops franqueii. In Epomopiliorus (fig. 37, p. 516) 

 all ridges (six in number, apart from a few thin and inconspicuous 

 ridges at the extreme hinder edge of the palate) are thick and 

 prominent. Micropteropus and Nanonijcteris exhibit the most 

 peculiar modifications of the ridges in the whole suborder. Micro- 

 pteropus (fig. 39, p. 556) in so far resembles Epomophonts (to which it 

 is most probably closely related) as all the ridges (five) are thick 

 and prominent, but the first ridge is typically hastate in form, with 

 the point directed backward, the second to fifth divided by a deep 

 groove extending along the median line of the palate, very broad 

 in front and gradually n.irrowing posteriorly ; a glance at the 

 palate of this animal is sufiicient to distinguish it from any other 

 Fruit-bat. The latter remark would apply also to Nanonyctcrix 

 (fig. 41, p. 561); the interdental ridges of this genus are rather 

 similar to those of Epomops (probably one of its closest relatives), 

 but the postdenfal ridges are increased in number, narrowly and 

 very regularly spaced, thickened and elevated at middle (forming a 

 j)rominent keel along the median line of the postdental palate), 

 depressed and very thin laterall}- ; this is almost exactly the reverse 

 of the type of palate-ridges found in Micropteropus, in which the 

 soft palate is marked not with a prominent keel but Avith a dee]) 

 and broad groove along the middle. Scotonyeteris and Casinycteris 

 (fig. 45, p. 571) in so far recall Nanonycteris as the interdental 

 ridges are thickened and the postdental ridges somewhat (Scoto- 

 nyeteris) or much (Casinycteris) increased in number, but the latter 

 are simple, thin, and serrate. 



