Integrated approaches to identifying cryptic bat species in areas of high endemism: The case of Rhinolophus andamanensis in the Andaman Islands.

Chelmala Srinivasulu,Bhargavi Srinivasulu,Aditya Srinivasulu,Gareth Jones,Christian Vincenot

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0213562

Chelmala Srinivasulu, Bhargavi Srinivasulu + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0213562

Copy DOI

Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Oct 10, 2019
Citations: 12	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Osmania University, Zoo Outreach Organisation

Abstract

The diversity of bats worldwide includes large numbers of cryptic species, partly because divergence in acoustic traits such as echolocation calls are under stronger selection than differences in visual appearance in these nocturnal mammals. Island faunas often contain disproportionate numbers of endemic species, and hence we might expect cryptic, endemic species to be discovered relatively frequently in bats inhabiting islands. Species are best defined when multiple lines of evidence supports their diagnosis. Here we use morphometric, acoustic, and molecular phylogenetic data to show that a horseshoe bat in the Andaman Islands is distinct in all three aspects, supporting its status as a distinct species. We recommend investigation into possible new and endemic bat species on islands by using integrated approaches that provide independent lines of evidence for taxonomic distinctiveness. We provide a formal redescription of the taxon newly raised to species level, Rhinolophus andamanensis Dobson, 1872.

Highlights

Cryptic species represent an important and long-neglected component of biodiversity, and cryptic taxa often fill distinct ecological niches that merit specific conservation challenges [1]
Acoustic, and genetic data to show that individuals hitherto referred to as Rhinolophus affinis from the Andaman Islands are distinct in all traits from mainland representatives of R. affinis, and deserve recognition as a new species
Our study shows that the taxon andamanensis is distinct from R. affinis under which it has previously been included as a subspecies, and is sufficiently divergent to be considered as a distinct species Rhinolophus andamanensis Dobson, 1872

Summary

Introduction

Cryptic species represent an important and long-neglected component of biodiversity, and cryptic taxa often fill distinct ecological niches that merit specific conservation challenges [1]. The number of bat species described has increased dramatically in recent years: current estimates recognise over 1386 bat species [2], an increase of more than 40% since 1993 [3]. This increase has been partly due to a recent surge in research on bats, and because many cryptic species have been discovered by modern integrative techniques including echolocation call analyses [4,5] and molecular phylogenetics [6,7]. The basis for recognising new cryptic species is challenging and is strongest if multiple and independent lines of evidence are used [8].

Methods

Results

Conclusion