Epomops

Epomops franqueti

The epauleted ( Epomophorini ) are a generic group of the family of fruit bats ( Pteropodidae ). The group consists of around 17 species in eight genera.

Dissemination

Epauleted are the only genus group of bats that are limited exclusively to Africa, where they occur in sub-Saharan most areas.

Description

Epauleted have to remember their name from their white or yellowish tufts of hair on the shoulders of the male animals at epaulets (shoulder pieces of a uniform). In addition, they have white spots in front of the ear, sometimes between the eyes. The rest of the fur is gray brown, the underside is often brighter than the top. The snout of the animals is more elongated, some species have stretchable, hanging lips. A tail is absent in most genera. The body length is depending on the type five to 30 centimeters, the weight between 20 and 400 grams, the hammer head is the largest species.

Way of life

Epauleted inhabit forests and savannahs, in drier areas, they are found not due to their diet of fruit. They rest during the day in small groups in trees or bushes and go at night in search of food. Some species are synanthropic, looking in orchards for food and persecuted because of it. Epauleted give in flight high sounds.

Food

The food of these animals consists mainly of fruits ( such as figs, mangoes, guavas and bananas ), where they mostly consume the juice and the softer parts. The moving lips enclose the fruit, the canines scratch on the shell, with the tongue pressing against the palate the fruit and suck it dry. Some species also take nectar and pollen to himself.

Reproduction

Little is known about the reproduction of many species. Many species make twice a year junior to the world, usually only a single cub. The gestation period is five to six months, pups are suckled for two to three months.

The genera

• The hammer head ( Hypsignathus monstrosus ) is characterized by its distinctive head.
• The genus Epomops includes three types: Epomops buettikoferi ( Matschie, 1899)
• Epomops dobsoni ( Bocage, 1889)
• Epomops franqueti ( Tomes, 1860)

They are widespread from Guinea and the southern Sudan to Angola and Botswana. From 14 to 18 centimeters in length, it is medium animals.

• The genus comprises Epomophorus depending upon counting six to seven species, which are common in large parts of Africa south of the Sahara. With up to 25 cm body length they are the largest epauleted next to the hammer head. A feature is the expandable hanging lips. For example: Epomophorus wahlbergi

• Micropteropus pusillus
• Micropteropus intermedius

Their range extends from Senegal to Angola and Ethiopia. With six to ten centimeters in body length, they are relatively small, their muzzle is shorter than the other species.

• Nanonycteris veldkampi lives of Guinea to the Central African Republic. Because of their alleged cattle -like face, the kind referred to in English as " Little Flying Cow ". With five to seven Zentimern body length and 20 to 30 grams of weight, it is the smallest member of the epauleted. Their diet consists mainly of nectar.
• The genus Scotonycteris includes two types: Scotonycteris zenkeri
• Scotonycteris ophiodon

Both are from Liberia to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, disseminates have a white spot between the eyes and one each in the corner of his eye, but the shoulder tufts are regressed. They feed on fruits and live solitary. S. ophiodon is considered threatened.

• Casinycteris argynnis lives in Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The species is similar Scotonycteris, but has larger ears and a higher muzzle.
• Casinycteris campomaanensis was discovered only in 2014, so little is known about this species.
• Plerotes is anchietai used in Angola, Zambia and southern Democratic Republic of Congo. It differs from the other species by the absence of calcar ( a spike at the ankle, which serves to clamp the tail wing membrane ) and by the small, relatively soft teeth, which indicate a diet of flowers or nectar.

Note

The classification of bats is largely based on the phylogenetic analysis of Kate E. Jones et al: A Phylogenetic Supertree of Bats. The authors use for the taxa no rank in the classical sense. The name of this group as a tribe with the suffix -ini is therefore arbitrary, sometimes you find this taxon as Epomophorinae or Epomophorina.