# Nycteris
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{{Short description|Genus of bats}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| image = Nycteris thebaica.jpg
| image_caption = [Egyptian slit-faced bat](/source/Egyptian_slit-faced_bat) (''Nycteris thebaica'')
| parent_authority = [Hoeven](/source/Jan_van_der_Hoeven), 1855
| taxon = Nycteris
| authority = [G. Cuvier](/source/Georges_Cuvier) & [E. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire](/source/%C3%89tienne_Geoffroy_Saint-Hilaire), 1795
| type_species = ''[Vespertilio hispidus](/source/Nycteris_hispida)''
| type_species_authority = Schreber 1774
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = *''[Nycteris arge](/source/Nycteris_arge)''
*''[Nycteris aurita](/source/Nycteris_aurita)''
*''[Nycteris gambiensis](/source/Nycteris_gambiensis)''
*''[Nycteris grandis](/source/Nycteris_grandis)''
*''[Nycteris hispida](/source/Nycteris_hispida)''
*''[Nycteris intermedia](/source/Nycteris_intermedia)''
*''[Nycteris javanica](/source/Nycteris_javanica)''
*''[Nycteris macrotis](/source/Nycteris_macrotis)''
*''[Nycteris madagascariensis](/source/Nycteris_madagascariensis)''
*''[Nycteris major](/source/Nycteris_major)''
*''[Nycteris nana](/source/Nycteris_nana)''
*''[Nycteris parisii](/source/Nycteris_parisii)''
*''[Nycteris thebaica](/source/Nycteris_thebaica)''
*''[Nycteris tragata](/source/Nycteris_tragata)''
*''[Nycteris vinsoni](/source/Nycteris_vinsoni)''
*''[Nycteris woodi](/source/Nycteris_woodi)''
| range_map = File:Nycteridae distribution.png
| range_map_caption = Nycteridae distribution
}}
'''''Nycteris''''' comprises a genus of [bat](/source/bat)s commonly called '''slit-faced''' or '''hollow-faced bats'''. They are grouped in the family '''Nycteridae'''.[{{MSW3|id=13801049}}] The bats are found in [East Malaysia](/source/East_Malaysia), [Indonesia](/source/Indonesia), and many parts of [Africa](/source/Africa).
==Description==
They are small bats, from {{convert|4|to|8|cm}} in body length, and with grey, brown, or reddish fur. The skull is distinguished by a characteristic interorbital concavity, externally connected to a long slit that runs down the centre of their faces from between the eyes to the nostrils, and probably assists in [echolocation](/source/Animal_echolocation). They have large ears, and a complex [nose-leaf](/source/nose-leaf). Their tails end in a T-shape, formed from cartilage, a unique feature among mammals.[{{cite book|editor= Macdonald, D.|year= 1984|title= The Encyclopedia of Mammals|publisher= Facts on File|location= New York|isbn= 0-87196-871-1|page= [https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/804 804]|url-access= registration|url= https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofma00mals_0/page/804}}] Their [dental formula](/source/dentition) is: {{dentition2|2.1.1.3|3.1.2.3}}
Nycterids have a reduction of the hand [phalanges](/source/phalanges): the 2nd digit has only [metacarpus](/source/metacarpus), and the 3rd only two phalanges. The [pectoral girdle](/source/pectoral_girdle) has parallel features to birds. The [sternum](/source/sternum) is strongly developed and the [mesosternum](/source/sternum) has a keel.[{{cite book |last1=Vaughan |first1=Terry A. |title=Mammalogy |date=1978 |publisher=W.B. Saunders Company |isbn=0-7216-9009-2}}]
==Habitat and biology==
Slit-faced bats inhabit rainforests and savanna, and roost in caves, trees, and buildings, typically in fairly small colonies. Some even roost in animal burrows, such as those of [hedgehog](/source/hedgehog)s, [aardvarks](/source/aardvarks) or [porcupine](/source/porcupine)s.[{{cite book |last=Fenton |first=M. Brock |year=2001 |title= Bats|publisher= Checkmark Books|location=New York|pages= 125–127|isbn= 0-8160-4358-2}}]
The echolocation calls of slit-faced bats are relatively quiet and short in duration, and they seem to target their prey by hearing the sounds it produces, rather than by sonar.[ They give birth once or twice each year.
==Distribution==
The genus ''Nycteris'' is found in the [Afrotropics](/source/Afrotropics) and the adjacent areas of [Palaearctic](/source/Palaearctic), [Madagascar](/source/Madagascar) and [Oriental](/source/Indomalayan_realm) realms.]