Coloration is usually some shade of brown above and brownish or buffy below.
The upper parts in M. megalotis are dark brown tinged with russet, or dark brown without the russet tinge, some specimens exhibiting intermediate colors. M. minuta is orange rufous or brown. In M. brachyotis the upper parts are olive brown, the throat is yellowish or orangish, and the chest and belly are tawny olive. A prominent nose leaf is present. In the bats of this genus the tail extends to the middle of the interfemoral membrane, and the middle lower premolar is not reduced.