Abstract
The lack of morphological differentiation among chiropteran species and cryptic speciation impedes species identification. DNA-based approaches help species identification and contribute to the discovery of additional species. Rhyneptesicus nasutus (Sind Serotine Bat) is a rare and poorly studied species in Pakistan. This study explores the range extension of Sind Bat within the territorial limits of Pakistan from Sind and Baluchistan to Federally Administered Areas of Pakistan. No molecular record exists for the species in Pakistan. In the present study, we for the first time confirm species identification of Rhyneptesicus nasutus from Pakistan using a genetic marker (cytochrome b) along with morphometric analysis. A neighbor-joining tree based on Kimura-2 parameters was created to infer phylogenetic relationships. We sequenced the cytochrome b gene segment and conducted a phylogenetic analysis with previously published data from other countries. Sequences from Pakistan formed a clade with Iranian Rhyneptesicus nasutus specimens suggesting a common ancestry. Various morphometric parameters (mean values) were measured, including Head and Body length (44.3mm), Tail length (43.4mm), Hindfoot length (8.3mm), Forearm length (35.7mm), and Ear length 36mm while 5th Metacarpal Length, 4th Metacarpal Length, and 3rd Metacarpal Lengths were 33.2mm, 34.7mm, and 35.3mm. Approaches based on DNA barcoding reveal a high diversity of bat species in the study area. The data will enable researchers to build an improved evolutionary framework of the Serotine Bats from this region and subsequently reconstruct a detailed evolutionary history of the genus. Further research is required to test other molecular markers to support the findings of the current study in Pakistan.
Highlights
More than 100 million different species inhabit our planet of which only a few, about 1.5 million have been characterized [1]
This study explores the range extension of Sind bat within the territorial limits of Pakistan from Sind and Baluchistan to Federally Administered Areas (FATA) of Pakistan
The previous records of Rhyneptesicus nasutus: Sind Serotine bat Vesperugo (Vesperus) nasutus (Dobson, 1877: 311) has been reported from Shikarpur, Sind, Pakistan and according to Blanford, 1888-91 type locality should be a little east of Rohri' [21] but the recent record from Bajaur agency FATA, Pakistan highlights the range extension of Sindh bat as this bat species has not been reported by anyone from this area
Summary
More than 100 million different species inhabit our planet of which only a few, about 1.5 million have been characterized [1]. Bats comprise roughly 20% of the mammalian diversity with around 1400 species discovered worldwide [2]. Bats being the 2nd most diverse group of mammals are essential to the ecological health of any ecosystem, by playing a vital role in several predator-prey relationships and in the dispersal of seeds, plant pollination, and nutrients distribution/recycling. Bats have a great impact on humans as well where bats are involved with insects and pest management. Bats feast on a number of insects that damage crops and are serious forest pests. An analysis from a study of North American insectivore bats highlighted that a loss of bats in that region leads to an annual agricultural loss of more than $3.7 billion. It is of note that few species are themselves pests, impacting livestock and agriculture sector, damage buildings, and are potential reservoirs of many infectious agents [3, 4]
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