Abstract
Bats are among the most diverse, widespread, and abundant mammals. In Argentina, 67 species of bats have been recorded, belonging to 5 families and 29 genera. These high levels of biodiversity are likely to complicate identification at fieldwork, especially between closely related species, where external morphology-based approaches are the only immediate means for a priori species assignment. The use of molecular markers can enhance species identification, and acquires particular relevance in capture-release studies. In this study, we discuss the extent of the use of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene for species identification, comparing external morphology identification with a molecular phylogenetic classification based on this marker, under the light of current bat systematics. We analyzed 33 samples collected in an eco-epidemiological survey in the province of Santa Fe (Argentina). We further sequenced 27 museum vouchers to test the accuracy of cytochrome b -based phylogenies in taxonomic identification of bats occurring in the Pampean/Chacoan regions of Argentina. The cytochrome b gene was successfully amplified in all Molossid and Vespertilionid species except for Eptesicus, for which we designed a new reverse primer. The resulting Bayesian phylogeny was congruent with current systematics. Cytochrome b proved useful for species-level delimitation in non-conflicting genera (Eumops, Dasypterus, Molossops) and has infrageneric resolution in more complex lineages (Eptesicus, Myotis, Molossus). We discuss four sources of incongruence that may act separately or in combination: 1) molecular processes, 2) biology, 3) limitations in identification, and 4) errors in the current taxonomy. The present study confirms the general applicability of cytochrome b -based phylogenies in eco-epidemiological studies, but its resolution and reliability depend mainly, but not solely, on the level of genetic differentiation within each bat genus.
Highlights
Bats include more than 1400 species representing 20% of total mammal diversity [1]
This study aims to discuss the extent of the use of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene for species identification, comparing external morphology identification with a molecular phylogenetic classification based on this marker, and current bat systematics
We further obtained sequences from museum vouchers to test the accuracy of cytochrome b (Cytb)-based phylogenies in taxonomic identification of bats occurring in the Pampean/Chacoan regions of Argentina
Summary
Bats (order Chiroptera) include more than 1400 species representing 20% of total mammal diversity [1]. These are among the most widespread and abundant mammals and have the unique capacity of flight. Species identification is not trivial among such a diverse taxonomic group. Bats have been identified based on morphological characters or biometric measurements [4, 5], and subsequently by echolocation acoustic analysis [6]. With the advent of molecular techniques, the number of genetic lineages among bats has increased significantly, leading to the identification of many cryptic species, revealing relatively low levels of morphological, biometric, or acoustic differentiation among these mammals [7–10]. Cryptic species have been identified by their patterns of echolocation calls and differences in habitat use [11]. There are examples of morphologically distinct species that depict very low genetic distances [12] or share ancestral genetic polymorphisms [13] and, fail to produce reciprocally monophyletic groups when studied on the basis of a limited number of genes
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