Molecular identification of genus Pipistrellus (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from Fata region, Pakistan.

S Andleeb,S M Bukhari,M Idnan,M Shahbaz,A Hussain,A Javid,W Ali,S M Azam,S Mansoor,Irfan Irfan,M Tayyab,K Ur Rehman

doi:10.1590/1519-6984.246322

Abstract

A total of 10 specimens were captured from selected sites of Bajaur Agency FATA, Pakistan using mist nets. The captured specimens were morphologically identified and various morphometric measurements were taken. The head and Body length (HB) of Pipistrellus coromondra and Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus (n=10) was 43±0.11 mm and 45±1.1 respectively. Morphologically identified Pipistrellus kuhlii confirmed as Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus based on 16S rRNA sequences. The DNA sequences were submitted to GenBank and accession numbers were obtained (MN 719478 and MT430902). The available 16S rRNA gene sequences of Pipistrellus coromondra and Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus were retrieved from NCBI and incorporated in N-J tree analysis. Overall, the interspecific genetic variations among Pipistrellus coromondra and Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus were 8% and 1% respectively. In our recommendation, a comprehensive molecular identification of bats is need of hour to report more cryptic and new species from Pakistan.

Highlights

The work of systematics has started from the last 250 years, despite majority of the species is still unidentified
Distribution A total of 10 specimens were collected from selected sites of Bajaur Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Pakistan (34°24′17.76′′N 72°33′32.16′′E) (Figure 1)
Identified Pipistrellus kuhlii confirmed as Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus based on 16S rRNA sequences

Summary

Introduction

The work of systematics has started from the last 250 years, despite majority of the species is still unidentified. In most of the areas of the world, the bat fauna is either rare or least known, they have a low abundance along with their lifestyle and Bat fauna of Pakistan is poorly explored, so an extensive chiropteran survey is recommended to study these environment friendly creatures (Javid et al, 2014, 2015). This pioneer study was design to identify bats of genus Pipistrellus from Bajaur Agency, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Pakistan

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion