Geographic variation and taxonomy of Rousettus aegyptiacus (Mammalia: Megachiroptera) in the islands of the Gulf of Guinea

Abstract

Abstract The systematic status of the Rousettus aegyptiacus populations of the oceanic islands of Principe and Sao Tome in the Gulf of Guinea (West Africa) is examined. These populations present noticeable phenetic differences between themselves as well as among the R. a. unicolor populations of Gulf of Guinea continental coast and those of Bioco island. The differences found justify the description of new subspecies on the two islands. In spite of the differences among the insular subspecies, these share some features that, at least partially, suggest the existence of a common evolutionary history.