560 SCOTOXVCTEillS. 



Affinities. — The first dcscriber of tliiti genus (Matscliie, 1894 and 

 ]8!:*Ji) placed it near Cijnopterus, owing, it would seem, to its sLort 

 rostrum and the insertion of the membranes on the first toe ; by 

 Miller (1907) it was classed nearest Ejjomopliorus. There is no 

 doubt that the latter is the correct view. By a long series of 

 characters Scotorujcteris proves itself closely connected with the 

 foregoing Epomophorine genera, and particularly with Nano- 

 nycterifi :■ — 'J'he rostrum, as noted aboA'c, is perfectly similar in 

 shape to that of jVanon)jcta'is (only a trifle shorter still), but 

 strikingly dififerent from that of C'i/no]>(erus ; the shape of the 

 brain-case quite as in KanonycUris ; the ascending branches of 

 the prcmaxillffi as usual in I'^pomophorine bats (subequal in breadth 

 throughout, not tapering above to a recurved point) ; the dental 

 i'oi'mula as in all Epomophorine bats except Phroles ; the incisors 

 unmodified Epomoiihorine in shape, with the distinct rctroclivity so 

 characteristic of Epomopliorine bats; the canines typical Epo- 

 mophorine (curved, somewhat hook-like, slender, crown smootli. 

 cingulum narrow) ; the palate-ridges easily derived from those of 

 i\\n(0))?/c<e/'«s, essentially different from those of Cijnoptenis:, the 

 tail reduced exactly as in other Epomophorine bats and unconnected 

 with the intcrfemoral ; the development of the interfemoral typical 

 J'jpomophorine (in Cynopterine genera without external tail the 

 interfemoral is practically obsolete in the centre) : the •\^'ing-indiccs 

 very closelv similar to those of Nanonijcteris, but widely diii'crent 

 from those of Ci/nojJtenis* ; the wing-membranes of the same 

 peculiar reticulated a])pearance as in Nanonycteris (and Casi- 

 nycteris) ; the distribution of the fur as usual in Epomophorine bats 

 (tibia hairy above) ; and even the general colour of the fur much 

 like that of palc-colourcd individuals of Nanonyderis and many 

 other Epomophorine bats, whereas anything approaching the tinges 

 of Scotonycieris is unknown in the Cynopterine section of genera. 

 The reasons which apparently induced Matschie to jdace Scoto- 

 nycteris nearest Cynoptevus are in reality valueless for a deter- 

 mination of the aftinities of this genus; a considerable shortening 

 of the rostrum is characteristic of all Cynopterine genera, but so it 

 is also of ]\Iicropteropus and Nanojiyrtcris in the Epomophorine 

 section ; the membranes are in all (he foregoing Ejjomophorine 

 genera inserted on the second toe, whereas Srotonycteris (and 

 Casinycteris) like Cynoptevus (and most of the allied genera) have 

 them inserted on the first toe ; but Avithin the Cynopterine section 

 Dyacopterus has the membranes from the second toe though allied 

 to Cynopierns (first toe), Tlioopierns from the second toe though 

 closely allied to rentheior (first toe). The only character which on 



* The following table will show, at. a glance, the dose resemblance between 

 Scotonycferis and JS'avoiii/ctcris in the lengths of the digits (except for tlie 

 lengthening of thti pollex in tlie iornier genus) and the verj conspiciKjns 

 differences of both from Cynoj^terus: — 



Forearm. 



Scofunyc/cri.-^ lOOt* 



. ■■•- Nanonycterig 1000 



Cyaojilenis 1000 



