Hill Forest Dweller: A New Cryptic Species of<i>Rhinolophus</i>in the ‘<i>pusillus</i>Group’ (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) from Thailand and Lao PDR

Abstract

A new species of Rhinolophus in the pusillus group is described from Ratchaburi, Kamphaeng Phet and Loei Provinces where it was found in evergreen forest at elevations ranging from 550 to 1,320 m a.s.l. It is distinguished from R. shortridgei and other similar species in the same group by its broad, parallel-sided sella, which is squared-off at the tip, relatively large body size with a forearm length of 42.2–44.1 mm, and bulbous rostral swellings. The echolocation frequency from hand-held individuals is 84.1–93.0 kHz. Bayesian analyses of a 654 bp of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (DNA barcode), and an 878 bp fragment of cytochrome b also support differences at the species level. Three specimens from Loaung Namtha, Lao PDR are referred to this new species based on DNA barcodes. Based on distinctive DNA barcodes and craniodental morphology, the taxon refulgens, is here regarded as a separate species from R. lepidus. Morphological comparisons between similar species are discussed and notes on ecology included.