Systematics and Taxonomy of Great Striped-Faced Bats of the GenusVampyrodesThomas, 1900 (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

Paúl M Velazco,Nancy B Simmons

doi:10.1206/3710.2

Abstract

The Neotropical bat genus Vampyrodes (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatinae) is widely distributed from southern Mexico to southeastern Brazil. Long thought to be monotypic, V. caraccioli Thomas, 1889, was recognized by previous authors as including two subspecies with the nominate form inhabiting South America south and east of the Andes, and another subspecies, V. c. major Allen, 1908, occurring west and north of the Andes. Reexamination of these forms using molecular and morphological methods supports recognition of these lineages as distinct at the species level. We here provide amended descriptions and diagnoses for these taxa. We also report for the first time an example of perikymata (incremental growth lines that appear on the surface of dental enamel as a series of grooves) in Chiroptera. Presence of distinct perikymata is a synapomorphy of the genus Vampyrodes.

Highlights

The Neotropical bat genus Vampyrodes is a monotypic taxon of frugivorous bats distributed from southern Mexico to southeastern Brazil
We explore the systematics of the genus Vampyrodes across its entire geo¬ graphic range
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were purified using a solution of 20% polyethylene glycol 8000 in 2.5 M of NaCl using a protocol described by Sambrook et al (2001)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The Neotropical bat genus Vampyrodes (figs. 1-2) is a monotypic taxon of frugivorous bats distributed from southern Mexico to southeastern Brazil. VELAZCO AND SIMMONS: SYSTEMATICS OF VAMPYRODES men from Trinidad in which he noted two sets of diagnostic characteristics that distin¬ guished it from other species of Vampyrops: unusually conspicuous facial and dorsal stripes that are brighter and more prominent than those in other species of that genus, and the presence of two upper and lower incisors and two upper and three lower molars. Thomas named this species after Henry Caracciola, who had collected the holotype. Morphometric, and morphological data to clarify the evolutionary history, species limits, and taxonomy of Vampyrodes

MATERIAL AND METHODS

O d 3 3 d

RESULTS