7 



numerous and sometimes extreme. According to the bounty of differently specialized 

 species modifications in skull structures vary with degree of specialization on nectar 

 feeding. Adaptations affect the visceral skull as well as the neurocraniimi. Dentition, man- 

 dibular and palatinal bones show modifications of remarkable extent. Even the braincase 

 changes its bony processus as a consequence in reduced masticating musculamre. 

 So, subsequently, the skull morphology of the New World nectarivores and related 

 phyllostomid genera will be examined comparatively. 



The ahn is to understand and to describe the principles of skull construction hi nectar 

 feeding phyllostomatids as an adaptation to nectar feeding. Allometrical comparison of 

 craniometric data wiU result in some evidence on suprageneric relationships of the genera. 

 As an introduction to this subject, chapter 2 will give an overview on systematics, 

 distribution and ecology of New World flower bats, mostly compiled from available 

 literature. 



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 



This work was facilitated by various suggestions and the support of many helpful people; 

 to all of whom I am indebted. 



Several museimis kindly lent me material from their collections: Natural History Museum 

 Copenhagen, Dr. Baagoe; American Museum of Namral History, New York, Dr. Walter 

 Fuchs; Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto; United States National Museum, Smithsonian 

 Institute, Washington, Dr. Charles O. Handley; Dr. Juliane DiUer (geb. Koepcke), Munich. 

 A working place on the spot was generously provided in the coUections by: 

 American Museum of National History New York, Dr. K. F. Koopman; British Museum 

 of Natural History, Dr. Janet Leigh, Dr. J. E. Hill; Rijksmuseum for Natiuirlijke Historie 

 Leiden, Dr. C. Smeenk; Senckenberg Natur historisches Museum und Forschungsinstitut, 

 Dr. H. Feiten, Dr. Kock, Mr O. Lütt; Naturliistorisches Museum Wien, Dr. F. Spitzen- 

 berger; Naturhistorisches Museimi Basel, Mr. J. Gebhardt; Zoologisches Forschungsinstimt 

 und Museum Alexander Koenig, Bomi, Dr. R. Hutterer. 



The organization of my journey to Ecuador I owe to Mr. Erwin Patzelt from Oldenburg / 



Holstein; Dr. Luis Albuja-V. and Prof. Gustavo Orces from the Escuela Politecnica 



Nacional provided useful mformation on the Ecuadorian bat fauna. 



At the Zoologie Museum of tlie University of Hamburg I was supported by Mrs. U. 



Frerichs who prepared the skull drawings of the genera which had only been accessible 



abroad and thus sometimes were represented by insufficient photographs. 



Dr. Derek Vinyard was a help to me not only in solving various computer-related and 



software problems but also m translation of the manuscript; Mr. Nelson Mascarenhas 



kindly prepared loan specimens for dispatch; Mr. Preuss did some of the required skull 



preparations. My wife Hamielore helped me recording the values during our stays at the 



museums and ensured me to keep free of many other problems, too. 



Last, but not least I like to thank Prof. Dr. Harald Schliemami for introducing me to the 



world of these fascinating mammals. 



