96 



some remarkable features in common: independent from rostral length, all genera lack the 

 zygomatic arches. This derived feature hnks them with the familiy Carolliinae (genera 

 Carollia and Rhinophylla) wliich also always lack bony zygomatic arches. 

 The dentition shows a strikingly strong development of imier upper incisivi, and the lower 

 ones are always completely preserved. Even here, their features match those of the 

 Carolliinae, though probably representing a symplesiomorph condition. The Ramus 

 mandibularis proves quite strong in the allometric analysis (all three genera have the 

 relatively least distance to the outgroup and to Brachyphylla) and marks a plesiomorph 

 condition conmion to all three genera, too. 



Referring to size-dependent proportional shift, Lionycteris, Lonchophylla and Platalina 

 correspond to the same allometric constant in the measures examined (width over the 

 canine teeth, coronoid height, length of the maxillar tooth row - M^, palate length and 

 mandible length). Thus, the relativly longer rostnmi of Platalina is determined by body 

 size and constructed in accordance with the same principle as Lionycteris and Loncho- 

 phylla. 



Considering the cranial characteristics having become available I suggest to include 

 Platalina genovensium as the largest species in the genus Lonchophylla. The original, very 

 wide gap in size difference compared to the so far known species of Lonchophylla which 



