Family Nycteridae Slit-faced Bats

• Published in: Bats of Southern and Central Africa p. 323
• Main Authors: Ara Monadjem, Peter John Taylor, F. P. D. (Woody) Cotterill, M. Corrie Schoeman
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Wits University Press 01.10.2020
• Edition: REV - Revised, 2
• ISBN: 1776145828; 9781776145829
• DOI: 10.18772/22020085829.18

In Africa, this family is represented by the single genus Nycteris, comprising at least 15 species (Monadjem 2019), of which nine have been recorded in the region. Members of this genus are immediately recognisable by the arrangement of their noseleafs, which are covered by flaps of skin, giving the appearance of a slit running down the length of the muzzle (Figure 170b). This genus has another unique feature: the last vertebra of the tail is bifurcated at its tip, creating a ‘T’ effect, which assists with supporting the tail membrane (Figure 170a) (Hill and Smith 1984, Neuweiler 1990). The wings