The Use of Molecular Phylogenetic and Morphological Tools to Identify Cryptic and Paraphyletic Species: Examples from the Diminutive Long-fingered Bats (Chiroptera: Miniopteridae: Miniopterus) on Madagascar

Abstract

Based on nearly complete (1125 bp) cytochrome-b sequence data and morphological characters, two new endemic species of Miniopterus are described from Madagascar that were previously identified as M. manavi. Using phylogenetic analysis, the basal nodes of major lineages in the Malagasy members of this genus are weakly supported, while, in most cases, the branches leading to each of the clades are well resolved. Miniopterus mahafaliensis, new species, occurs in the southwestern semidesert areas and M. brachytragos, new species, has a broad distribution across the northern half of the island, ranging across several different biomes. Phylogenetic inference indicates that these two new taxa are not closely related to M. manavi sensu stricto, with average genetic distances of 9.2% and 5.7% from this taxon, respectively. On the basis of this and previous revisions, the former M. manavi complex is now recognized to represent at least five taxa, which do not form a monophyletic group with respect to one another, and represent extraordinary examples of convergent evolution. Miniopterus brachytragos is closely related to the recently named M. aelleni, while M. mahafaliensis is not closely associated with any of these species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis was imperative to resolve the species limits of these taxa and morphology then provided the means to corroborate the recovered clades. There are localities on the island, specifically limestone karstic zones, where four species of the former M. manavi sensu lato complex occur in strict sympatry. These species often use the same day-roost caves and have similar external and craniodental measurements. This raises intriguing questions as to how these animals divide their worlds with regard to dietary regimes and foraging strategies, as well as their speciation history.

A cryptic new species of Miniopterus from south-eastern Africa based on molecular and morphological characters

“…This widespread genus, occurring throughout the Old World (Simmons 2005), has recently been placed in its own family, Miniopteridae (Miller-Butterworth et al 2007). Eleven species are now known to occur on Madagascar, seven of which have been recently described (Goodman et al 2007(Goodman et al , 2009a(Goodman et al , 2009b(Goodman et al , 2010(Goodman et al , 2011. The situation in Madagascar clearly shows the high diversity of cryptic species within this genus, with up to four species occurring sympatrically (Goodman et al 2009a), and similar patterns are expected for the African continent and neighbouring islands.…”

Cross-species chromosome painting in bats from Madagascar: the contribution of Myzopodidae to revealing ancestral syntenies in Chiroptera

“…Karyotypic conservatism was also observed within Miniopterus, with the karyotype of M. griveaudi identical to that of M. fuliginosus (Ao et al 2007). This is despite a 15.3% cyt b sequence divergence separating the two species (Goodman et al 2009b (Goodman et al 2009b). …”

Morphological, bioacoustical, and genetic variation in Miniopterus bats from eastern Madagascar, with the description of a new species

“…The same tree topology was produced using three different phylogenetic analysis methods ( Figure 2). The species described herein, Miniopterus egeri, consists of a monophyletic group that is most closely related to both the recently described M. petersoni and re-defined M. manavi (Goodman et al 2008(Goodman et al , 2009a(Goodman et al , 2009b. The number of specimens of M. manavi sensu stricto is small due to difficulties in obtaining samples of this species.…”