New philisids (Mammalia, Chiroptera) from the Early–Middle Eocene of Algeria and Tunisia: new insight into the phylogeny, palaeobiogeography and palaeoecology of the Philisidae

We have undertaken a cladistic assessment of the dental evidence (47 dental and mandible characters) to clarify the phylogenetic relationships within Philisidae, and its position within Vespertilionoidea, in order to highlight the origin, historical biogeography and patterns of dispersion of the most diversified extant bat group. The specialized dental morphology of philisids implies particular occlusion seen in the three-dimensional reconstructions of teeth of Witwatia sigei and Dizzya exsultans .

The peculiar morpho-functional anatomy of the teeth and the large size of these bats were well adapted to an opportunistic diet, and probably contributed to the early success of the family in North Africa.