Chromosomal homologies of the genera Vespertilio,Plecotus and Barbastella (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Q-banding (and partly G-banding) patterns of chromosomes were studied in three species of vespertilionid bats: Vespertilio murinus, Plecotus auritus and Barbastella barbastellus. The chromosomes of these species were identified and compared on the basis of the G-band diagram of Bickham (Cytologia 44, 1979) for the genus Myotis. The additional metacentric chromosomes which Vespertilio shows as compared to Myotis, differ in arm arrangements from those found in Plecotus and Barbastella. Banding patterns of P. auritus and B. barbastellus are nearly identical. It is remarkable that the smallest metacentric chromosome of P. auritus differs clearly in its banding pattern from that of the American P. townsendi. The significance of the results obtained for the systematic position of these species is discussed.     

A statistical morphological analysis and taxonomic revision of the genus Xiphophora (Fucaceae)

RICE, E. L., 1989. A statistical morphological analysis and taxonomic revision of the genus Xiphophora (Fucaceae). Xiphophora is a brown seaweed endemic to the cool temperature rocky shores of Australia and New Zealand. The two species, X. chondrophylla and X. gladiata have previously been separated by morphological criteria. However, the differences betweeen them in these characters were largely size-related, resulting in taxonomic confusion. In particular, the presence of X. gladiata in New Zealand has been disputed. In this study, a series of discriminant function analyses were performed, based on a suite of morphological characters collected from each species throughout a major portion of their geographic ranges. The results show conclusively that the present taxonomy of Xiphophora is untenable. This genus is composed of two species, but these are distributed latitudinally (either side of the 40^oS parallel). Each species contains two allopatric subspecies; one in Australia and the other in New Zealand. A formal taxonomic revision of the genus is presented.     

Fecundity of Thominx neopulchra (Nematoda:Capillariidae) from bats of the genus Myotis (Chiroptera:Vespertilionidae)

Variability of absolute fecundity of nematode Thominx neopulchra from three species of genus Myotis was studies on the territory Zhiguli State Reserve in 2007, 2008. Significant differences in the fecundity of the nematode females depending on host species and sex, size of the parasite, number of the helminthes in a given host, and season of year were revealed.     

Post-prandial urine loss and its relation to ecology in brown long-eared (Plecotus auritus) and Daubenton's (Myotis daubentoni) bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Urine loss, over the first 12 hours after feeding, was positively and linearly dependent on food consumption in water-denied, brown long-eared bats ( Plecotus auritus ) and also in water-denied and water-provided, Daubenton's bats ( Myotis daubentoni ). The slope of the relationship (food-dependent urine loss) (363 μ 1 g dry mass food⁻¹, S.D.=±70, n=19 ) was not significantly different between the two species but predicted urine loss at zero food consumption (food-independent urine loss) was significantly lower in P. auritus (0.048 μl.min⁻¹, S.D. =±0.015, n= 12) than in M. duubentoni (0.217 μl min⁻¹ S.D. =±0.040, n = 7 ). The same results were apparent if the data for M. daubentoni were restricted to water-deprived animals only. Of total urine loss, 46% occurred in the first hour after feeding in M. daubentoni compared with only 20% in P. auritus . We suggest that the differences between the two species in the pattern of postprandial urine loss reflect their relative association with open water when foraging and roosting in the wild. In the course of the water-denied experiment, M. duubentoni lost 15% of pre-fed body mass and showed signs of severe dehydration, while P. auritus only lost 6% and did not. However, urine loss only accounted for 8–10% of body mass loss. A water budget model for wild P. auritus in the summer was developed and suggested that if bats did not drink, approximately 19% of water loss would be attributable to faecal water loss, 18–20% to urine loss, and 59–62% of intake would be available to support evaporation and reproductive losses.     

On the taxonomical status of Myotis abei YOSHIKURA, 1944 (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae)

The type specimen of Myotis abei YOSHIKURA, 1944 was examined and compared with species of subgenera Leuconoe and Selysius from Japan and adjacent territories. The analysis of external characters and measurements indicated that M. abei should be recognised as a junior synonym of Myotis daubentoni (KUHL, 1817).     

A new species of Myotis Kaup, 1829 (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) from Ecuador

A new species of bat in the genus Myotis (Vespertilionidae, Myotinae) is described from the Chocó ecoregion on the western slope of the Andes in northwestern Ecuador. The genus Myotis comprises a diverse group of small to large-sized vespertilionid bats distributed worldwide. Twelve South American species are recognized currently, 6 of which occur in Ecuador. Morphological relationships among the new species and the other 12 South American species of Myotis were examined using 15 cranial and 5 external characters. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses found the new species to be distinct. As an aid to future identifications, we provide a key to the Ecuadorian species of Myotis.     

The mitochondrial and nuclear genetic structure of Myotis capaccinii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the Eurasian transition, and its taxonomic implications

Allopatric isolation in glacial refugia has caused differentiation and speciation in many taxa globally. In this study, we investigated the nuclear and mitochondrial genetic differentiation of the long fingered bat, Myotis capaccinii during the ice ages in south-eastern Europe and Anatolia. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analyses indicated a suture zone similar to those recorded in other animal species, including bats, suggesting the association of more than one refugium with the region. Contrary to most of the other species where a suture zone was seen in Anatolia, for M. capaccinii the geographical location of the genetic break was in south-eastern Europe. This mitochondrial differentiation was not reflected in the nuclear microsatellites, however, suggesting that the lack of contact during the ice ages did not result in reproductive isolation. Hence taxonomically, the two mitochondrial clades cannot be treated as separate species.     

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Hodgson's bat Myotis formosus (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae)

The first complete mitochondrial genome (17,159 bp) of the Hodgson's bat Myotis formosus, which is an endangered species in South Korea, was sequenced and characterized. The genome included 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA, and 2 rRNA genes, and 1 control region. It has high AT content and the same gene arrangement pattern as those of typical vertebrate mitochondrial genome. Within the control region, a 80 bp tandem repeat unit was iterated five times which was found in Domain I. It has been observed only in the vespertilionid bat group, and could contribute to identifying the species or genus, and also distinguishing it from other bat families.     

Biochemical systematics of the Savi's bat (Hypsugo savii) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

In order to assess the controversial systematic position of the Savi's bat (Hypsugo savii), 43 ves-pertilionid bats belonging to 10 species were analyzed by mean of isozyme electrophoresis. The results were interpreted in two ways: first, we found that the amount of genetic differentiation between Hypsugo and the true Pipistrellus (D # 0.719) is of the same magnitude as the mean distance which separates the other pipistrelloid genera (D = 0.738). Secondly, the cladogram based on these biochemical results confirms the splitting of these “pipistrelles”, as Hypsugo is more closely related to Vespertilio than to any other palearctic genus. The other species analyzed in this study group themselves in a different clade, including Pipistrellus, Eptesicus and Nyctalus. This phylogenetic interpretation presents a testable hypothesis, which could be confirmed by an analysis of other loci or other allied species.     

A revision of the genus Sclerosperma (Arecaceae)

Summary  A taxonomic revision of the palm genus Sclerosperma (Arecaceae) is presented. Three species are recognised: S. mannii H. Wendl., which is relatively widespread from Liberia to the Democratic Republic of Congo; S. walkeri A. Chev., which is apparently confined to the interior of Gabon and a band along the Congo River; and S. profiziana, a new species previously considered conspecific to S. mannii that is found in southwest Ghana, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola. The taxonomic history, morphology, distribution and conservation status of the genus and each species are discussed.     

A revision of the genus Phaeonychium (Brassicaceae)

Phaeonychium consists of six species distributed in Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kashmir, Nepal, and Tajikistan. The new combinations P. villosum and P. kashgaricum are proposed. Phaeonychium jafrii is described as new. The limits and relationships of Phaeonychium are discussed.     

A revision of the genus Dopatrium (Scrophulariaceae-Gratioloideae)

The genus Dopatrium is revised and 14 species are recognized. The distribution and ecology of each species is described and illustrations and distribution maps are provided. The new combination Dopatrium tenerum is proposed.     

Evolutionary Mechanisms Affecting the Multivariate Divergence in Some Myotis Species (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae)

Phenotypic evolutionary rates were measured for 27 craniometric characters in 12 extant OTUs from the bat genus Myotis (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae). Squared Mahalanobis distance was used as a multivariate measure for amount of divergence, and squared Mahalanobis distance weighted by time was used as a measure for the rate of divergence. Estimates for the rates of divergence were found to be consistent with random walk hypothesis. Thus, the divergence in Myotis could be guided by random drift and mutations. The high dispersion in rate estimates suggests also a possible input of randomly fluctuating selection. The highest rates were recorded for divergence between M. myotis–M. blythii species group and the other OTUs. Rates of divergence between the subspecies of M. blythii occur to be lesser than rates of divergence between the earlier diverged species, their divergence could probably be slowed down by stabilizing selection. Size-adjusted data appeared to be lesser then the initial data, and it can be concluded that both size and shape were involved in divergence of Myotis species. The skeletal characters in bats are known to be extremely conservative during long-term evolution, however, the possibility for random walk at short time interval implies that bat evolution is constrained rather ecologically and biomechanically than genetically or developmentally.     

A revision of the genus Sarcococca (Buxaceae)

SEALY, J. R., 1985. A revision of the genus Sarcococca (Buxaceae). The genus Sarcococca is idely distributed in SE Asia from Afghanistan through the Himalaya to SE Tibet, Assam, Upper Burma and China, southwards in peninsula India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indochina, to Java and Sumatra, Taiwan and Luzon. The genus is accepted as comprising 11 species, one with three varieties, two with two varieties each, and another of two forms. These are described in detail. Sarcococca walhchii f. membranacea from Manipur, is a new form and V. zevlanica var. brevifolia is a new combination.     

A revision of the genus Mouretia (Eubiaceae)

Four species are recognised in Mouretia, a genus previously thought to be monospecific. Two new species M. vietnamensis and M. larsenii are described, and M. tonkinensis var_: inequalis is elevated to the rank of species. All species are illustrated. The chromosome number far M. larsenii is given. The character states for the genus are presented. A comparison between Mouretia and Mycetia show them to share most of their character states. It is suggested that the two genera form a monophyletic group, that should be included in the tribe Hedyotideae.