Comments on: Bat Anatomy 101: The Various Bones of The Wing & Skeleton

By: Gordon Ramel

Gordon Ramel — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 02:51:07 +0000

In reply to Steve G.

I am not an expert on bat taxonomy, just a general zoologist, my personal research has all been in Europe, on Bird Migration and Insect biodiversity, so there would not be any point sending me a photo. You should contact your local bat group, or your nearest natural history museum.

By: Steve G

Steve G — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 19:14:38 +0000

Hi Gordon-
Great information! I had some bones delivered last night to my doorstep.
Most likely by a cat.
I’ve tried to assemble them based on your drawings. Can I send you a photo?
Thanks!
Steve

By: Gordon

Gordon — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 04:46:49 +0000

In reply to Ted Pietsch.

Hi Ted, I don’t have that paper and a google search didn’t find it so I can’t be a lot of help. With over 1300 species of bats there is of course a lot of room for variation and individual deviation from the generalized information I put on a site like this. You are probably correct. Thanks for writing.

By: Ted Pietsch

Ted Pietsch — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 21:16:48 +0000

P.S. Thinking about it bit longer, I’m guessing now that Seba has confused the fibula with the heel bone (calcar), which is especially long and well-developed in the Bulldog Bat. It is misplaced, however, in the illustration that Seba published along with his description. Am I correct? Cheers, Ted

By: Ted Pietsch

Ted Pietsch — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 20:17:55 +0000

Hello Gordon, I hope you can help explain the anatomy of the leg of the Greater Bulldog Bat. Albertus Seba, (1734: 89-90), in describing what is now Noctilio leporinus, says “the hind legs are split between the bones of the tibia and fibula, from the joint of the hip [he must mean to say “knee”] to the heel, keeping a perfect mutual distance, without intermediate body, so that each of these bones is clothed with its own particular covering.” But you say the fibula is vestigial and fused to the tibia. Is the Greater Bulldog Bat perhaps an exception to the latter? Thanks, Ted in Seattle