Systematics of African Nycteris (Mammalia: Chiroptera) Part III. The Nyteris thebaica group.

(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) In this paper, the systematics of the African N. thebaica group is discussed. Based on multi- and univariate statistical tests, two species are retained within this group: N. thebaica, which occurs over almost the entire African continent and the Arabian Peninsula, and N. gambiensis, which is limited to West Africa. Based on literature data, the species status of N. vinsoni is confirmed. Literature data, measurements and lists of material examined are presented for each of these species. Unfortunately, even the vast amount of specimens available for this study is still insufficient to decide definitely the status of forms such as brockmani and damarensis, which at present are considered synonyms of N. thebaica.