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Table 2.  Microchiropteran and fossil microbat comparisons. 

Character State
Icaronycteris
Archaeonycteris
Palaeochiropteryx
Hassianycteris
Tanzanycteris
Microchiroptera
Megachiroptera
Cochlea moderately enlarged
X
X




*
Cochlea larger


X
X

#

Cochlea greatly enlarged




X
#

Phanerocochlear cochlea
?
?
X
X
?
#

Periotic loosely attached to basisphenoid
?
X
X
?
?
#

Orbicular apophysis on malleus enlarged
X
X
X
X
?
X

Stylohyal with moderately expanded tip
X
X
X
?
?
#

Stylohyal with greatly expanded tip



?
?
#

Stapedial fossa deep and constricted
?
?
X
?
?
#

P3 with two or fewer roots

X
X
X
?
*
X
Nyctalodont dentition


#
X
?
#

Cervicals 2-3 with ventral accessory processes
X
X
X
X
?
X
#
Cervical 4 with ventral accessory process

X
X
X
?
X

Cervical 5 with ventral accessory process


X

?
X

Ventral process of manubrium compresed


X
X
X
#
X
Ribs with posterior laminae
X
?
X
X
X
#
X
Ribs with anterior laminae

?
X
?
X
#
#
Suprascapular process absent
X
X
X
X
X
#
#
Scapular dorsal articular facet present

?
X
X
X
*

Trochiter extends proximally to humeral head
X
X
X


#

Trochiter extends proximally beyond humeral head



X
X
#

Wing digit II distal phalanx absent


X
X
?
X

Wing digit III distal phalanx absent

X
X
X
?
#
X
Fibula thin and thread-like


X
X
?
#

Calcar present


X
X
?
*
#

 Note. X = all specimens or taxa; # = most taxa; * = some taxa; ? = indeterminate; blank = not present or inapplicable.