Phylogenetic relationships of vespertilionid genera (Mammalia: Chiroptera) as revealed by karyological analysis

Banded karyotypes of 50 species belonging to 23 genera were analyzed. The diploid chromosome numbers ranged from 26 to 50. For karyotypic comparison we used a 44 chromosomes karyotype, consisting of 4 metacentric and 17 acrocentric autosomes, as “basic karyotype”. Almost all of its 25 autosomal arms could be identified in each individual karyotype. In 8 chromosomes, i. e. 1/2, 7, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23 and X, small inversions were detected. As a result, each of the chromosomes mentioned occurs in two states which differ slightly in their banding patterns. These were used as character states in the cladistic analysis together with other chromosomal rearrangements. The implications drawn from the cladogram obtained are: The Miniopterinae clearly belong to the Vespertilionidae but are the first to branch off from the common stem. The tribe Myotini should be raised to the rank of a subfamily. Within the largest subfamily Vespertilioninae, one autapomorphic chromosomal character was found for each of the tribes Vespertilionini and Pipistrellini. In addition, both tribes are distinguished from the other Vespertilioninae tribes by two synapomorphic features. These results allow for the first time an unequivocal classification of the systematically difficult “pipistrelloid” species. The species of the genus Pipistrellus (sensu Hill and Harrison 1987) are spread over the Pipistrelllni and Vespertilionini. We therefore suggest the splitting of this heterogenous genus into at least four genera. Only the members of the previous subgenus Pipistrellus constitute the genus Pipistrellus and belong to the Pipistrellini. The previous subgenera Hypsugo, Vespadelus and Falsistrellus, given generic rank in some recent studies, belong to the tribe Vespertilionini and are not closely related to Pipistrellus. For the genera Eptesicus and Hesperoptenus, which belong neither to the Vespertilionini nor to the Pipistrellini, the tribe Eptesicini was established. The phylogenetic relations of this tribe and the status of the presumably polyphyletic tribe “Nycticeiini” could not be solved.     

The genome sizes of megabats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) are remarkably constrained

It has long been recognized that bats and birds contain less DNA in their genomes than their non-flying relatives. It has been suggested that this relates to the high metabolic demands of powered flight, a notion that is supported by the fact that pterosaurs also appear to have exhibited small genomes. Given the long-standing interest in this question, it is surprising that almost no data have been presented regarding genome size diversity among megabats (family Pteropodidae). The present study provides genome size estimates for 43 species of megabats in an effort to fill this gap and to test the hypothesis that all bats, and not just microbats, possess small genomes. Intriguingly, megabats appear to be even more constrained in terms of genome size than the members of other bat families.     

Reproduction in male Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

The annual reproductive cycle has been investigated in the male pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus. Spermatogenesis occurs during summer and spermatozoa are produced in August and September. The seminiferous tubules then regress rapidly but sperm are stored throughout winter in the cauda epididymidis. Little change is apparent in the morphology of the Leydig cells throughout the year, and histochemical studies have revealed no seasonal differences in the occurrence of enzymes involved in steroidogenesis. The percentage yields of testosterone and androstenedione after incubation of testis and adrenal tissues in vitro with tritiated pregnenolone have been determined and measurements made of the concentration of these hormones in testes and whole blood. Although the highest levels of these androgens are synchronous with spermatogenesis, both continue to be produced by the testes during winter. Studies in castrated bats have confirmed these observations and indicate that the activity of the accessory reproductive organs during winter is dependent on testicular androgens. The testicular cycle of the pipistrelle is not thought to be complicated by adrenal androgenesis, or storage of androgens in the brown fat. The interrelationships between reproduction and hibernation in bats are discussed.     

贵州省翼手类名录修订

参考翼手目动物分类学和分子系统学的最新研究成果, 在《贵州兽类志》的基础上, 结合近年来有关翼手类研究的资料, 对贵州省翼手类名录进行整理, 并列出了贵州省翼手类的分布地点。截止到2015年10月31日, 贵州省共有蝙蝠7科17属51种, 占中国现有蝙蝠种类(134种)的38.1%。其中, 我国特有种8种(贵州特有种2种)。与《贵州兽类志》中记载的翼手类相比, 增加了14种, 3个物种未被列入, 更改了10个物种的名称。按照中国动物地理区划, 贵州省蝙蝠以东洋界种类占绝对优势, 共有42种, 古北界种类仅2种, 广布种7种。列入IUCN红色名录各濒危等级的有44种, 列入《中国脊椎动物红色名录》的有48种。     

A phylogenetic supertree of the bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

We present the first estimate of the phylogenetic relationships among all 916 extant and nine recently extinct species of bats Mammalia: Chiroptera), a group that accounts for almost one-quarter of extant mammalian diversity. This phylogeny was derived by combining 105 estimates of bat phylogenetic relationships published since 1970 using the supertree construction technique of Matrix Representation with Parsimony (MRP). Despite the explosive growth in the number of phylogenetic studies of bats since 1990, phylogenetic relationships in the order have been studied non-randomly. For example, over one-third of all bat systematic studies to date have locused on relationships within Phyllostomidae, whereas relationships within clades such as Kerivoulinae and Murinae have never been studied using cladistic methods. Resolution in the supertree similarly differs among clades: overall resolution is poor (46.4%, of a fully bifurcating solution) but reaches 100% in some groups (e.g. relationships within Mormoopidae). The supertree analysis does not support a recent proposal that Microchiroptera is paraphyletic with respect to Megachiroptera, as the majority of source topologies support microbat monophyly. Although it is not a substitute for comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of primary molecular and morphological data, the bat supertree provides a useful tool for future phylogenetic comparative and macroevolutionary studies. Additionally, it identifies clades that have been little studied, highlights groups within which relationships are controversial, and like all phylogenetic studies, provides preliminary hypotheses that can form starting points for future phylogenetic studies of bats.     

Karyological study of four Japanese Myotis bats (Chiroptera,Mammalia)

Karyological investigations of four Japanese Myotis species were made based on Gand C-banding pattern analysis. It was revealed that the four species, M. nattereri, M. hosonoi, M. frater kaguyae and M. macrodactylus have all 2n=44 and their karyotypes are, excepting one chromosome pair, identical each other. The only difference in their karyotypes was found on the morphology of the chromosome no. 5. A minute acrocentric (A) was observed in M. nattereri, and a polymorphic (A) and an (M^h) which is a minute metacentric with totally heterochromatic arm was found in M. hosonoi. In M. f. kaguyae, pair no. 5 was a small submetacentric with a totally heterochromatic long arm (SM^h). Polymorphic (SM^h) and (M) which is a small metacentric derived from (SM^h) by a pericentric inversion was seen in M. macrodactylus. Such morphological differentiations of no. 5 were interpreted by assuming an increase of constitutive heterochromatin and also an inversion. The evolutionary pathway in the genus Myotis is assumed to be as follows: (A)(M^h)(SM^h)(M). This assumption was supported by the geographical evidence that the species with the (A) type no. 5 pair is widely distributed in the whole world but the others are restricted to Asia (M^h type) or only to Japan (SM^h and M types).     

The vestigial teeth of Miniopterus schreibersii natalensis (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

Miniopterus schreibersii nufalensis has a vestigial tooth on both sides of the upper jaw between the canine and following premolar. This tooth is regarded as permanent premolar P² in vestigial form.     

Genetic Relationships Between Brazilian Species of Molossidae and Phyllostomidae (Chiroptera, Mammalia)

A comparative analysis of G-banded karyotypes was performed for seven species of Chiroptera, representing two families (Phyllostomidae and Molossidae). Despite the differences in diploid and fundamental numbers, extensive homologies between six karyotypes were identified: A . planirostris, P. lineatus, S. lilium, G. soricina, P. hastatus (Phyllostomidae) and M. rufus (Molossidae). Robertsonian rearrangements and pericentric inversions account for the differences between the karyotypes of phyllostomid and molossid species. The homologies and rearrangements observed reinforce the monophiletic origin of phyllostomids and the inclusion of species in different subfamilies. In situ hybridization with genomic DNA revealed considerable conservation of the karyotypes, including C. perspicillata, that did not show G-band homologies with the other species analyzed. For the first time, chromosomal evidence is presented of a common origin for Phyllostomidae and Molossidae.     

Evolution of nectarivory in phyllostomid bats (Phyllostomidae Gray, 1825, Chiroptera: Mammalia)

Background  

Bats of the family Phyllostomidae show a unique diversity in feeding specializations. This taxon includes species that are highly specialized on insects, blood, small vertebrates, fruits or nectar, and pollen. Feeding specialization is accompanied by morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations. Several attempts were made to resolve the phylogenetic relationships within this family in order to reconstruct the evolutionary transitions accompanied by nutritional specialization. Nevertheless, the evolution of nectarivory remained equivocal.     

Population structure and emergence order in the fruit-bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus: Mammalia, Chiroptera)

Population size and emergence order of R. aegyptiacus were studied in the Abas cave. Haifa, Israel. Throughout the reproductive period adult females populated the cave and the adult population consisted mainly of adult females except during winter when higher numbers of adult males were recorded. The proportion of juveniles increased consistently from spring to winter. Thus, it is suggested that the Abas cave serves as a maternity roost. Adult females in the reproductive state emerged from the cave earlier that juveniles and adult males. Social factors and differences in nutritional demands which may correspond to this different emergence order are discussed.     

广东7 种蝙蝠的核型研究

对采集于广东的4 科7 种蝙蝠进行了核型分析,它们的核型分别是:犬蝠(Cynopterus sphinx)2n =34,FN= 58;印度假吸血蝠(Megaderma lyra)2n = 54,FN = 104;大耳双色蹄蝠(Hipposideros pomona)2n = 32,FN =60;中蹄蝠(H. larvatus)2n = 32,FN = 60;大卫鼠耳蝠(Myotis davidii)2n = 46,FN = 52;大黄蝠(Scotophilus heathi)2n = 36,FN = 54;南长翼蝠(Miniopterus australis)2n =46,FN = 50。其中大耳双色蹄蝠和大卫鼠耳蝠的核型为首次报道,犬蝠、印度假吸血蝠、中蹄蝠、大黄蝠和南长翼蝠的核型为中国第一次报道。     

Key morphofunctional transformations in the evolution of bats (Mammalia,Chiroptera)

Study on the morphology and morphogenesis of wing membranes in bats has revealed some peculiarities in their structure and development. Understanding the embryogenesis of these animals, as well as attraction of data obtained on their molecular genetics and paleontology, allows one to single out some factors that could have initiated evolutionary modifications in development programs. A scenario of the key morpho-functional transformations in the forelimbs during the evolution of chiropterans is given.     

Tertiary sex ratios in wild Galago population (Mammalia: Primates)

Previous studies have proposed that species within the genus Galago exhibit a secondary sex ratio that is strongly skewed (approximately 70%) in favour of males. It has further been suggested that this sex ratio is maintained into adulthood. We present data obtained from 669 adult galagos, representing eight wild populations and five species, to indicate that the sex ratio among sexually mature individuals is close to parity. If the observations regarding sex ratios at birth are correct, this implies that juvenile/sub-adult males suffer significantly higher mortalities than do their female counterparts.     

澳门翼手类物种多样性调查

2009 ～2012 年,对澳门翼手目(蝙蝠)物种多样性进行了调查。结果共捕捉到10 个物种,属5 科8 属,其中包括澳门原来记载的2 个物种,即蹄蝠科的大蹄蝠(Hipposideros armiger)和蝙蝠科的东亚伏翼(Pipistrellus abramus);本研究新增加8 个物种,即狐蝠科的犬蝠(Cynopterus sphinx) 和棕果蝠(Rousettus leschenaulti),鞘尾蝠科的黑髯墓蝠(Taphozous melanopogon),菊头蝠科的菲菊头蝠(Rhinolophus pusillus),以及蝙蝠科的大足鼠耳蝠(Myotis ricketti)、普通伏翼(P. pipistrellus)、普通长翼蝠(Miniopterus schreibersi) 和南长翼蝠(M. pusillus)。另外,通过野外录音和分析,并与已发表物种声音特征比较核对,发现菊头蝠科和蹄蝠科各一种,前者可能是泰国菊头蝠(R. siamensis)或者中菊头蝠(R. affinis),后者可能是果树蹄蝠(H. pomona) 或者三叶蹄蝠(Aselliscus stoliczkanus)。本文对已捕捉10 种蝙蝠的分布、形态特征和回声定位叫声特征进行报道,同时对其种群数量和保护现状进行了讨论。保护蝙蝠栖息生境(洞穴、古老建筑和蒲葵树等) 对保护澳门蝙蝠物种多样性至关重要。     

Phylogeny of Molossidae Gervais (Mammalia: Chiroptera) inferred by morphological data

Molossidae is a large (roughly 100 species) pantropically distributed clade of swift aerially insectivorous bats for which the phylogeny remains relatively unknown and little studied compared with other speciose groups of bats. We investigated phylogenetic relationships among 62 species, representing all extant molossid genera and most of the subgenera, using 102 morphological characters from the skull, dentition, postcrania, external morphology, tongue, and penis, based on direct observation and literature reports. Both parsimony and Bayesian analyses were used in phylogenetic reconstruction. Our analysis supports two main clades of molossids, both of which mingle Old World and New World taxa. One clade is comprised of Mormopterus,Platymops, Sauromys, Neoplatymops, Molossops, Cynomops, Cheiromeles, Molossus, and Promops. The other clade includes Tadarida, Otomops, Nyctinomops, Eumops, Chaerephon, and Mops. The position of Myopterus with respect to these two groups is unclear. As in other recent analyses, we find that several genera do not appear to be monophyletic (e.g. Tadarida, Chaerephon, and Molossops sensu lato). We recommend that the subgenera of Molossops sensu lato and Austronomus be recognized at the generic level. We conclude that much more data are needed to investigate lower level problems (generic monophyly and relationships within genera) and to resolve the higher‐level branching pattern of the family.