Lavia frons (E. Geoffroy, 1810)
Yellow-winged Bat
Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System
, T Orrell (custodian) in 
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Morphology
Physical Description
Lavia frons is an average-sized bat with the female slightly larger than the male. The weight of Lavia frons (male and female considered) ranges from 28 to 36 grams (Kingdon, 1974). The length from head to tail of females ranges from 63 to 80 mm while the length of males goes from 58 to 80 mm (Rosevear, 1965).
An important defining characteristics of bats is their forearm length. Females have forearm lengths of 55 to 63 mm; males, from 55 to 60 mm. Ear length of females ranges from 36 to 47 millimeters and for males, from 35 to 45 mm. The tibia length ranges from 33 to 37 mm for females and from 32 to 36 mm for males. The length of the skull ranges from 23.3 mm to 26.1 mm for females and 22.8 to 25.0 mm for males (Rosevear, 1965). Members of this species have prominent postorbital processes.
The dental formula is 0/2 1/1 1/2 3/3 (upper/lower incisors, upper/lower canines, upper/lower premolars, upper/lower molars). Lavia frons, like other Megadermitidae, has no upper incisors. The molars are dilambdodont, which is consistent with eating insects. There is a cingulum on the canine as well as two secondary cusps. The premolars are quite large with the posterior premolars being bigger than the anterior premolars. Finally, the incisors of the lower jaw have rounded crowns (Rosevear, 1965).
Lavia frons have a bluish gray body with some members having a lower back that is somewhat brownish or green. The wings are broad and the wingspan is about 14 inches (Rosevear, 1965). The color of its wings is a mixture of red and yellow and hence, Lavia frons is often referred to as the African Yellow-Winged bat. Its ears, like its wings, are reddish yellow. The ears contain a divided tragus that is relatively spiky. The eyes are quite large. In fact, Lavia frons has the second largest eyes of any African microchiroptera, second only to Cardioderma cor (Vaughan and Vaughan, 1987). The noseleaf of Lavia frons is distinctive in that it is enveloped by a pointed spike. Other physical characteristics include glands on males that secrete a yellow substance that discolors the lower back and a pair of false nipples near the anus of females.
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