SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF NYCTIMENE CEPHALOTES AND N ALBIVENTER (CHIROPTERA PTEROPODIDAE) IN THE MALUKU AND SULAWESI REGIONS, INDONESIA

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Abstract - A univariate and multivariate statistical study of the morphology of island populations of Nyctimene in the Maluku region, Indonesia, distinguishes Nyctimene keasti Kitchener, 1993, from the Tanimbar and Kai Islands, as a species. The form from the Tanimbar islands is described as a new subspecies of N. keasti; it is not associated with N. cephalotes as previously considered in litt. Nyctimene cephalotes is restricted to Sulawesi and the Maluku region. The Sulawesi population of N. cephalotes is described as a distinct new subspecies. The Aru population of N. albiventer is somewhat differentiated from the Papua New Guinea population of N. a. papuanus; its subspecific status is not determined.

Close island populations of N. c. cephalotes, N. k. keasti and N. k. subsp. nov. show considerable morphological differentiation.