Molecular Phylogenetics of the Phyllostomid Bat Genus micronycteris with Descriptions of Two New Subgenera

• Published in: Journal of mammalogy Vol. 88; no. 5; pp. 1205 - 1215
• Main Authors: Porter, Calvin A., Hoofer, Steven R., Cline, Chrissy A., Hoffmann, Federico G., Baker, Robert J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Provo, UT American Society of Mammalogists 01.10.2007; Brigham Young University, Department of Zoology; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Animal ethology; Bats; Biological and medical sciences; Biological taxonomies; Computer software; Cryptic species; cytochrome b; Datasets; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; FEATURE ARTICLES; fibrinogen; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genetics; Holotypes; Leuconycteris; Mammalia; Mammalogy; Mammals; Micronycteris; Museums; Phylogenetics; Polymerase chain reaction; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Schizonycteris; Specimens; Studies; systematics; Vertebrata; United States > US; California; Leuconycteris; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Cytochrome b; Schizonycteris; fibrinogen; Taxonomy; Phylogeny; Micronycteris; systematics; Chiroptera
• ISSN: 0022-2372; 1545-1542
• DOI: 10.1644/06-MAMM-A-292R.1

We analyzed DNA sequence variation in the cytochrome-b gene and intron 7 of the nuclear fibrinogen, B beta polypeptide gene for 45 specimens of the bat genus Micronycteris, including all currently recognized species except M. sanborni. Phylogenetic analyses of both data sets supported 4 primary lineages within Micronycteris, which we recognize as subgenera: Leuconycteris new subgenus (M. brosseti), Micronycteris Gray (M. megalotis, M. microtis, M. matses, and M. giovanniae), Schizonycteris new subgenus (M. minuta, M. schimdtorum, and M. sanborni), and Xenoctenes Miller (M. hirsuta). Although we provisionally recognize the current alpha taxonomy within Micronycteris, our results did not support monophyly of M. microtis as the name is currently applied. Our results further indicate that cryptic species probably exist within the taxa currently recognized as M. megalotis and M. minuta and possibly M. hirsuta. Additional studies, including thorough geographic sampling and detailed morphological and molecular data sets, are necessary to test our genealogic hypotheses and assess the biodiversity within Micronycteris.