Morphometrics of the indian false vampire bat (Megaderma lyra) from district Jhelum, Pakistan

A first-of-its-kind record of the Indian false vampire bat (Megaderma lyra) was documented at Rohtas Fort, district Jhelum, Pakistan. The study captured six male specimens, providing detailed morphometric measurements including head and body length (80 mm), forearm length (67 mm), and metacarpal lengths ranging from 51.73 to 60.42 mm. Skull dimensions such as length (29.84 mm) and braincase breadth (12.77 mm) were also recorded, along with reproductive measurements like penis length (6.6 mm). The bats were identified by their distinctive facial features, including an elongated nose-leaf and large ears. This finding contributes to the limited data on M. lyra in Pakistan and highlights the fort's significance as a roosting site for this species.

Shahbaz, M., Hamidullah, Khan, W., Javid, A., Attaullah, Rasheed, S. B., Anwar, K., Ullah, A., Zeb, J., Khan, M. I., Ahmad, Q. A., Khan, B. T., Khan, M., Ullah, I., Farooq, Z., & Hussain, A. (2021). Morphometrics of the indian false vampire bat (Megaderma lyra) from district Jhelum, Pakistan. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 81(4), 934–939. https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.232444