OCR Text |
Show 372 ON A NEW SPECIES OF FRUIT-BAT FROM FERNANDO PO. [Mar. 1, appear to be referable to S. zenkeri*, the only known species ; and was therefore described as new, as follows:- SCOTONYCTERIS BEDFORDI f. Scotonycteris bedfordi, Thomas, Abstr. P. Z. S. 1904, No. 4, p. 14, March 8. Near S. zenkeri, but ears much smaller. Size rather less than in S. zenkeri. Fur close, fine and woolly, the hairs of the back about 6 m m . in length. Fleshy part of forearms, wing-membrane bordering flanks and hind limbs, upper side of legs to ankles, and interfemoral membrane (except terminal part near calcar) well clothed with fur ; the centre of the interfemoral quite buried in thick fur. Below, the fur was less extended, only covering the proximal part of the wing-membrane and the centre of the interfemoral. General colour above mixed whitish and ochraceous buff, the hairs dark brown at base, then silvery white, their tips pale brownish buffy or "clay-colour," the peripheral hairs of membranes and limbs wholly of the latter colour. Head rather browner than back. Central white muzzle-patch present, as in the type species ; eyes with dark rims, interrupted behind by small white postocular spots, only about 2 m m . in diameter. Owing to the general light colour, these patches are but little prominent. Ears very small and narrow, conspicuously smaller than in S. zenkeri. Throat and centre of chest creamy whitish, passing on shoulders, sides of body, and inguinal region into brown. Dimensions of the type :- Forearm 48 mm. Head and body (original measure in the flesh) 71; ear (in flesh) 11; thumb (c. u.) 23; first finger-metacarpal 34, 1st phalanx 24, 2nd phalanx 30; fifth finger 63; tibia 20 ; calcar 6. Hab. Fish Town, Fernando Po. Type. Female. Original number 31. Collected 2 January, 1904, by E. Seimund. J This interesting Bat, which had been named in honour of its joint donor, the President of the Society, was the first representative of the genus Scotonycteris received by the National Museum, and was therefore a most welcome accession. It differed from S. zenkeri, of the Cameroons, by its conspicuously smaller ears, which were only 11 mm. in length, while those of S. zenkeri were stated by Dr. Matschie to be 17 m m . long, a measurement that quite agreed with their appearance in his plate. S. bedfordi also seemed to have smaller postocular spots and a more hairy interfemoral membrane than its mainland ally. rop#te^r70%lBi3%9).t * ** **»> P" *»> Fk<W B^ M- ^gachi-t [The complete account of the new species described in these communications appears here; but as the names and preliminary diagnoses were published?n the Abstract,' such species are distinguished here by being underlined.-EDiToYl |