Taxonomic implications of geographical variation in Rhinolophus affinis (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) in mainland Southeast Asia.

Saveng Ith,Neil M Furey,Nikky M Thomas,Chutamas Satasook,Faisal Ali Anwarali Khan,Vu Dinh Thong,Monwadee Wonglapsuwan,Sara Bumrungsri,Pipat Soisook,Paul Jj Bates

doi:10.1186/s40555-015-0109-8

Abstract

Rhinolophusaffinis sensu lato isdistributed throughout Southeast Asia. The taxonomic status of forms attributed to the species is unclear due to the limited sample size with incomplete datasets and the taxa have high variation in morphology and echolocation call frequency. The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution and taxonomic status of the subspecific forms of R. affinis in mainland Southeast Asia using large sample size with multiple datasets, including morphological, acoustic, and genetic data, both to elucidate taxonomic relationships and to test for congruence between these datasets. Three morphological forms were confirmed within the region; two concur with previously recognized taxa, namely R.affinis macrurus andR.affinis superans,and are strongly supported by morphological and genetic data. The third form is morphologically distinct, but its taxonomic status remains unclear. It is probable that this third form represents a distinct taxonomic entity; however, more data are required to confirm this. R. a. macrurus is known from the north of peninsular Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam (Indochinese subregion); R. a. superans is found throughout the Thai-Malay Peninsula (Sundaic subregion); whilst the third form is presently known from east central Myanmar (Shan state) and lower northern Vietnam (Nghe An Province). Our results suggest that at least three morphological forms occur in mainland Southeast Asia including one form which appears to be new to science. Echolocation call data for R. affinis are not a robust taxonomic tool as it shows a significant degree of variation which is not explained or supported by genetic and morphological findings. This study highlights significant levels of morphological variation in mainland Southeast Asia and provides an essential basis for further studies aiming to understand the population genetics, phylogeography, and taxonomy of the species.

Highlights

Rhinolophus affinis sensu lato is distributed throughout Southeast Asia
A further Principal component analysis (PCA) performed on 18 selected characters, separated this population from the Peninsula group (Figure 3)
Our results indicate that there are at least three forms of R. affinis distributed within mainland Southeast Asia; R. a. superans (Sundaic subregion), R. a. macrurus (Indochinese subregion), comprising of submorphological forms A and C (Figure 10), and R. cf. affinis morphological form B (Figure 10)

Summary

Introduction

Rhinolophus affinis sensu lato is distributed throughout Southeast Asia. The taxonomic status of forms attributed to the species is unclear due to the limited sample size with incomplete datasets and the taxa have high variation in morphology and echolocation call frequency. The aim of the study was to evaluate the distribution and taxonomic status of the subspecific forms of R. affinis in mainland Southeast Asia using large sample size with multiple datasets, including morphological, acoustic, and genetic data, both to elucidate taxonomic relationships and to test for congruence between these datasets. Rhinolophus Lacépède is the only genus in the Old World family Rhinolophidae Gray (Corbet and Hill 1992) All members of this family are characterized by the presence of a horseshoe-shaped anterior nose leaf, the morphology of which can be diagnostic between species. The intermediate horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus affinis Andersen, is a medium-sized bat (forearm length 45 to 56 mm) distributed widely in South and Southeast Asia, including northern India (including Andaman Islands), Nepal to southern China, mainland Southeast Asia, Borneo, Java, and nearby islands (Francis 2008; Simmons 2005). Superans is described as similar to R. macrurus but with short tail (Andersen 1905) R. a. tener is a small rhinolophid with a short tail and a relatively large horseshoe; R. a. macrurus is described as being more moderate in size with large ears, a long tail, and a broad horseshoe (Sinha 1973); while R. a. superans is described as similar to R. macrurus but with short tail (Andersen 1905)

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Conclusion