Evidence for Two Karyotypic Variants of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat (<b><i>Rhinolophus hipposideros</i></b>, Chiroptera, Mammalia) in Central Europe

Abstract

Three different diploid chromosome numbers (2n = 54, 56 and 58) have been reported in the lesser horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros. Asia Minor and the Middle East are inhabited by R. hipposideros specimens with 58 chromosomes. In Europe, specimens with 56 chromosomes have been recorded from several localities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy and Greece. Up to now, specimens with 54 chromosomes have been reported only from Spain and possibly from Switzerland. With the record of 54 chromosomes in specimens from Germany presented here, the distributional area of this variant is expanded into Central Europe. According to the cytogenetic data presently available, we presume that the European R. hipposideros population is divided into a western form (from Spain to Germany) with a 2n = 54 karyotype and an eastern form (from the Czech Republic to Greece) with a 2n = 56 karyotype. This study presents banded karyotypes for the 2n = 54 and 2n = 56 variants for the first time. In addition, chromosomal arm homology to the vespertilionid bat species Myotis myotis revealed by chromosome painting is reported. Whether the variants could represent separate species is also discussed.

Karyotype Evolution in the Horseshoe Bat <b><i>Rhinolophus sedulus</i></b> by Whole-Arm Reciprocal Translocation (WART)

“…Chromosome preparations and FISH were carried out as described in Volleth et al [2013]. For FISH, whole chromosome [Ao et al, 2006], T. belangeri [Müller et al, 1999] and Eulemur macaco [Müller et al, 1997] were used.…”

“…The FNa in the 2n = 62 all-acrocentric karyotype as well as in most of the remaining Rhinolophus species is 60 (or, if a tiny element is considered as bi-armed, FNa = 62, e.g. in R. ferrumequinum nippon [Ando and Uchida, 1974; see also Volleth et al, 2013]). Conservation of entire chromosomal arms during rhinolophid karyotype evolution was confirmed in all species studied by banding and FISH techniques Volleth et al, 2013].…”

“…in R. ferrumequinum nippon [Ando and Uchida, 1974; see also Volleth et al, 2013]). Conservation of entire chromosomal arms during rhinolophid karyotype evolution was confirmed in all species studied by banding and FISH techniques Volleth et al, 2013]. Consequently, Robertsonian translocations have been proposed as the predominant mode of chromosomal evolution in Rhinolophidae .…”

“…In RSE, the reduction of the diploid number to 2n = 28 and FNa = 52 was very likely obtained by tandem fusions. Accordingly, chromosomal arms RSE1q and RSE3p each were painted by 3 different Myotis chromosomes which have previously been shown to be homologous to entire chromosomal arms in rhinolophid karyotypes Volleth et al, 2013].…”

“…The MMY probes used are indicated at the left side. Volleth et al, 2013]. The second group consists of 13 Asian species with 2n = 62.…”