A morphological analysis of the skull size and shape of Kerivoulinae (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Vietnam

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Southeast Asia is a region of high biodiversity, containing species of plants and animals that are yet to be discovered. In this region, bats of the subfamily Kerivoulinae are widespread and diverse with six species recorded in Vietnam. However, the taxonomy of the Kerivoulinae in Asia is complicated. In our study, we used diagnostic characters and multivariate analysis to determine morphological differences between the genera Kerivoula and Phoniscus. We showed that the two genera are distinguishable by the size of second upper incisors, the shape of skull, nasal sinus, canines, second upper and lower premolars. In addition, the two genera can be osteometrically separated by measurements of the braincase height, interorbital width and shape of anterior palatal emargination. Our data clearly revealed the morphological variations in the skull shape of Kerivoula hardwickii in Vietnam. This suggests a possible separation into three morphotypes, representing cryptic species supported by statistical differences with wide variation in skull shape, size and teeth. These results demonstrated Kerivoula hardwickii can be separated three subspecies, and the result will serve as the basis for the future assessment and classification of this group in Southeast Asia.

First record of the flat-skulled woolly bat Kerivoula depressa and the Indochinese woolly bat K. dongduongana (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) in China

“…Subsequently, Bates et al (2007) divided the species into two morphological types, K. hardwickii (with domed skull) and K. depressa (Miller, 1906) (with flattened skull). However, molecular phylogenies indicate that the taxonomy and systematics of the K. hardwickii complex are still ambiguous because of the occurrence of multiple divergent lineages ( Francis et al 2007 , 2010 ; Khan et al 2010 ; Douangboubpha et al 2016 ; Nguyen et al 2016 ). Recent genetic analyses revealed that K. depressa can be divided into two distinct clades ( Kuo et al 2017 ).…”

Philippine bats of the genus Kerivoula (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae): Overview and assessment of variation in K. pellucida and K. whiteheadi

“…Additionally, we included several species that occur near the Philippines, including K. titania, K. intermedia, and K. minuta. We did not include several members of the K. hardwickii group, a complex that requires much detailed study (e.g., K. depressa, K. krauensis, K. furva or K. kachinensis; see Bates et al 2007;Francis et al 2007;Khan et al 2010;Douangboubpha et al 2015;Son et al, et al 2015;Struebig et al 2016;Kuo et al 2017;Tu et al 2018).…”