436 I'l.KKOTES AXCHIET.T. 



Sexual diff'erentkiiion. — Males of this genus are unknown. Their 

 secondary sexual characters are probahly not very different from 

 those developed by males of the related genus Epomnps. 



Jffinities.—PIerotes is the only known genus of Epomophorine 

 hats which has not lost p' and m.^. In so far it is the most 

 primitive genus of this section. But in most of its essential cha- 

 racters it stands decidedly nearest Epomops, and it exhibits several 

 of the characters of Epomopsin an even more extreme phase, namely 

 the broadening of the palate and rostrum, the outward slant of the 

 lower canines, and the broadening of the symphysis menti. A 

 relatively weak dentition is a feature common to all Epomophorine 

 bats, but the reduction of the size of the teeth is in Pleroteg carried 

 still further than in any of the related genera, and the molars have 

 80 far lost nearly every trace of surface structure (lateral ridges, 

 median grooves) as to become similar to the molars of certain highly 

 specialized genera of Macroglossi. In consequence of the degener- 

 ation of the dentition, the temporal ridges remain low down on the 

 sides of the skull, the deflection of the brain-case is greater than in 

 other Epomophorine genera, the mandible very weak, the coronoid 

 process still lower and more sloping backward than usual (for 

 parallels compare BouseUus lanosiis with typical species of i?o»5^^*i<s, 

 Fteropus scajjiilahis and woodfordi with typical species oi Pteropus, 

 Macroglossino' with Pteropodince). In the narrowness of the inter- 

 femoral and absence (or rudimentary condition ) of the calcar, PJerotes 

 is unique in the Epomophorine section, but there are analogies in 

 the Cynopterine (^S'^j/icov'aAOandMacroglossine sections(St/conycteris}. 

 Despite its many peculiarities Plerotes has preserved one character 

 which, though seemingly rather insignificant, is curiously persistent 

 in all genera of Epomophori, viz. the small whitish hair-tufts at 

 the base of the ears. 



1. Plerotes ancliietse, Seahra. 



Epomophorus n. sp., Seabro, J. Set. Math. Lisboa, (2) v. p 166, pi. i. 



tig. 3 (palate-ridges) (1898 ; Galaiiga). 

 Epomophorus anchietfe, Seahra, J. Sci. Math. Lisboa, (2) vi. p. 116 



(Aug. 1900: same specimen). 

 Plerotes anchietse, K. Andersen, A7in. S,- Mag. N. U. (8) v. p. 97 



(1910: same specimen). 



Forearm of an adult female 53 mm. 



Ears similar in form and size to those of Micropteropus pusillus; 

 tip rounded off". Fur of back rather long and silky (approximate 

 length 12 mm.), extendiug on proximal half of forearm, on tibia to 

 ankle, and forming a long fringe overhanging posterior edge of 

 narrow interfemoral ; fur of underparts shorter (about 9-10 mm.) 

 and somewhat harsher, extending on proximal third of forearm and 

 half of tibia. Colour of fur : back brownish Isabella with greyish- 

 white or creamy-white bases to the hairs ; underparts much 

 lighter, greyish drab ; a small tuft of cream-white hair at anterior 

 and posterior base of ear-conch. 



