On the Taxonomic Identity of Sturnira nana Gardner and O'Neil, 1971 (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae), from Ecuador, with the Description of a New Species of Sturnira

Abstract

The lesser yellow-shouldered bat, Sturnira nana, is a member of the most diverse genus of the New World leaf-nosed bats (Phyllostomidae). This species was considered endemic to Peru until 2009 when researchers captured a series of individuals in the Cordillera del Cóndor of southeastern Ecuador and identified them as S. nana. To assess the taxonomic status of this Ecuadorian population in relation to S. nana from Peru, we analyzed cytochrome b gene sequences and craniodental measurement data. In addition, we used principal component analysis to elucidate differences in climatic niches. Our analyses suggest that populations currently identified as S. nana from Ecuador and Peru are genetically, morphologically, and ecologically divergent. Herein, we formally describe the population of small Sturnira from Ecuador as a new species.

A polytypic species revisited: Phylogenetic and morphological variation, taxonomic status, and geographical distribution ofTrachops(Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

“…Recognized bat diversity has increased due to new species descriptions and taxa raised from subspecific level or synonymy (Burgin et al 2018), but also as a result of clarification of cryptic species within several genera (e.g. Platyrrhinus (Velazco et al 2023); Glossophaga (Calahorra-Oliart et al 2021) or Sturnira (Yánez-Fernández et al 2023). These changes in taxonomy may have an impact on the conservation of species.…”