Variation in the Myotis keaysi complex (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae), with description of a new species from Ecuador

Abstract

The genus Myotis comprises a diverse group of vespertilionid bats with worldwide distribution. Twenty-eight Neotropical species are currently recognized. In this study, we evaluate molecular and morphological variation in the M. keaysi complex, a high elevation clade of Neotropical myotine bats characterized by complex taxonomy and high morphological variation. A phylogeny inferred with cytochrome-b sequences recovered two clades composed of samples traditionally assigned to M. keaysi, with 9% of genetic divergence between them. These clades were also suggested as putative distinct species by molecular species delimitation methods. Qualitative and quantitative morphological analyses indicated a phenotypic discontinuity between specimens from central Andes (including the holotype of M. keaysi) and western lowlands of Ecuador, showing strong congruence between molecular and morphological approaches. We therefore describe a new species for the Tumbes-Choco-Magdalena region, documenting their external and cranial diagnostic characters by comparing them with other Neotropical species. In addition, we provide an emended diagnosis for our new concept of M. keaysi.

High genetic connectivity among large populations of Pteronotus gymnonotus in bat caves in Brazil and its implications for conservation

“…The wide distribution range could contribute to the genetic population structure (Burland and Wilmer, 2001), as an array of factors can affect the extent of genetic partitioning among populations, including dispersal ability and geographic barriers (Burland and Wilmer, 2001). In fact, phylogeographic and population studies of bats in the Neotropical region reveal several cases of genetic structure and cryptic diversity, such as in the genera Chiroderma, Myotis, and Pteronotus (e.g., Martins et al, 2007;Marroig, 2016, 2017;Moras et al, 2018;Garbino et al, 2020;Novaes et al, 2021). The genetic structure of bat populations in Brazil is poorly understood, but some available data indicate a strong population structure between the populations analyzed (e.g., Carstens et al, 2004;Marroig, 2016, 2017;Moras et al, 2018;Garbino et al, 2020).…”

Catalogue of primary types of Neotropical Myotis (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae)

“…The list of Myotis species adopted here is based on systematic reviews conducted for the genus Myotis in the Neotropical region (i.e., LaVal 1973 ; Bogan 1978 ; Moratelli et al 2019a , b ; Carrión-Bonilla and Cook 2020 ; Novaes et al 2021a , b , c ). Following LaVal (1973) , we excluded species from the definition of Neotropical Myotis when their distributions extend from the Nearctic into the Neotropics.…”

“…The greatest diversity and abundance of Myotis is reported in temperate and subtropical areas ( Nowak 1994 ; Moratelli et al 2019a ). However, recent systematic reviews have indicated that there is a high diversity of Myotis in the Neotropics (e.g., Larsen et al 2012 ; Moratelli et al 2011a , 2013 , 2016 , 2017 , 2019b ; Carrión-Bonilla and Cook 2020 ; Novaes et al 2021a , b , c ). Nevertheless, our knowledge of species limits, name validity, and distributional boundaries for several Neotropical Myotis species remains incipient.…”

“…Part of the taxonomic hurdle is due to the accentuated morphological conservatism and lack of specimen series covering all geographic distributions ( Menu 1987 ; Smith et al 2012 ; Moratelli et al 2019a ). On the other hand, molecular studies have revealed the existence of more independent evolutionary lineages than species recognized from morphology-based taxonomy ( Larsen et al 2012 ; Novaes et al 2021a , b ). This indicates the existence of hidden diversity possibly composed of multiple cryptic species, which challenges the delimitation of species and raises the need for new systematic reviews, especially those based on multiple lines of evidence.…”

Redescription of Myotis atacamensis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with neotype designation

“…The South American Myotis is a taxonomic puzzle due to morphological similarity among species phylogenetically close. Consequently, there are cryptic species of Myotis and recent systematic reviews have demonstrated the existence of independent evolutionary lineages being treated as a unique species (Larsen et al 2012, Carrión-Bonilla and Cook 2020, Novaes et al 2021a, 2021b, 2021c. Myotis atacamensis is at the center of this debate, where populations from northern and central western Peru misidentified as M. atacamensis were recently described as a new species (Moratelli et al 2019b).…”