A description and discussion of the penile morphology of Rhinonicteris aurantius (Gray, 1845) (Microchiroptera: Hipposideridae).

Abstract

A description of the glans penis and baculum of the orange leaf-nosed bat (Rhinonicteris aurantius Gray, 1845) is provided. The sample size, while limited, did not suggest that a more comprehensive study would indicate significant differences between the three main regional populations (Pilbara, Kimberley, Northern Territory). This observation complements previous morphometric investigations on the species that revealed a general pattern of morphological similarity among populations. The function of the spikes that were observed to cover the glans, and the significance of the shape of the baculum are discussed.