Rejection of the "Flying Primate" Hypothesis by Phylogenetic Evidence from the ε-globin Gene

Abstract

Whether the bat suborder Megachiroptera (megabats) is most closely related to the other suborder of bats, Microchiroptera (microbats), or whether Megachiroptera is the sister group of order Primates has been an issue of much debate. Should all bats be classified into a monophyletic order (Chiroptera) or do bats have diphyletic origins, and are the megabats actually "flying primates"? These questions were addressed by phylogenetic analysis of ε-globin gene sequences from a number of primates and other eutherian mammals. Results of parsimony analysis not only support bat monophyly, but the strength of Chiroptera grouping is comparable to that supporting the monophyly of the prosimian primate suborder Strepsirhini (galago and lemur). Furthermore, 39 derived nucleotide sequence changes are uniquely shared by the megabat ( Cynopterus sphinx ) and microbat ( Megaderma lyra ) versus three commonly shared by the megabat, primates, and Dermoptera or flying lemur ( Cynocephalus variegatus ), and only two shared by either megabat and primates, or by megabat and flying lemur.