88 



255.697 AGO.OA2 827.69-^1 1489.162 2679.254 



Fig.67: Relation SIZE to palate length: Louchophylla (+) and Plalalina (■) 



differ with p<0,05 from those of the outgroiip, the slopes of the reduced major axes of the 

 distribution do not. 



Tlie proportional shift of relative palate length remains inconsistent in the Glossophaginae 

 and LonchophyUinae. Tliere is no doubt that the gradient of the reduced major axes in all 



genera, where correlation could be secured, is distinctly below 45 degrees and thus not to 

 be secured against the outgroup, but their integration constants do show considerable 

 differences. 



Lionycteris, Lichonycteris, Leptonycteris, Monophyllus and Anoiira have comparatively 

 short palates wliich nevertlieless exceed those of the outgroup in lengtli. Tlie genera to 

 which tlie respective subfamilies {Glossophaga and Lonchophylla) owe their name show 

 a slightly higher level (longer palates). 



Compared to the outgroup, the palate of Platalina is relatively longer (0.1975) than in the 

 smaUer Lonchophylla (0.1396), but the position of the mean value in the double 

 logaritlmiic coordinate system closely approaches the reduced elliptic major axis of 

 Lonchophylla (fig. 66, 67). Ulis means the relatively more elongate palate may be 

 explamed by allometry; the principles of constmction are, thus, the same. 



Tlie extremely elongate palates of Choeroniscus, Hylonycteris and Choeronycteris {C. 

 mexicana and C. {=Miisonycteris) harrisoni) are still to be interpreted: in Choeroniscus, 

 there is a transposition of tlie reduced major axis with respect to the remaining 

 Glossophaginae (figs.52, 68). Here we find a different genus-specific structural feature: 

 even very small C. godmani have a much longer palate than a Lichonycteris or Lionycteris 

 of the same size. Besides the angular elevation of the palatinal area in relation to skull 

 base, Hylonycteris and Choeroniscus share a bony palate which is considerably 

 prolongated in occipital direction. This functional significance of this apparently derived 

 feature cannot immediately be releated to nectarivory. I would regard this as 

 systematically useful evidence on close relationship of both genera. 

 Referring to tliis structural feature, the position of Musonycteris in the double logarithmic 

 coordinate system gives evidence on close relationship to Choeroniscus. Interpretation of 



