Beginning the quest: phylogenetic hypothesis and identification of evolutionary lineages in bats of the genus Micronycteris (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae)

Abstract

Thirteen species of Neotropical bats of the genus <i>Micronycteris</i> are currently recognized and are allocated to four subgenera <i>Leuconycteris</i>, <i>Micronycteris</i>, <i>Schizonycteris</i>, and <i>Xenonectes</i>. Despite that, the presence of polyphyletic clades in molecular phylogenies suggests that its diversity is underestimated. Additionally, the incorrect identification of some genetic sequences, the incorrect assignation of available valid names, and restricted geographic sampling have biased the identification of independently evolutionary lineages within <i>Micronycteris</i>. In this study, several unknown genealogical lineages in the genus are identified and an updated phylogenetic hypothesis is proposed using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA fragments. The phylogenetic analyses congruently showed all individuals in four well-supported subgenera, but <i>M. schmidtorum</i> was revealed as the sister taxon of <i>M. brosseti</i> in the subgenus Leuconycteris. Twenty-seven different genealogical lineages were identified. These included eight confirmed species: <i>M. brosseti</i>, <i>M. buriri</i>, <i>M. giovanniae</i>, <i>M. matses</i>, <i>M. schmidtorum</i>, <i>M. simmonsae</i>, <i>M. tresamici</i>, and <i>M. yatesi</i>. Nineteen either allopatric or parapatric candidate species were also confirmed, two within the <i>M. hirsuta</i> complex, nine within the <i>M. megalotis</i> complex, seven within the <i>M. minuta</i> complex, and one corresponding to "<i>M.</i> sp.". These results revealed an extensive undescribed diversity within each subgenus of <i>Micronycteris</i>. Nevertheless, the evolutionary processes associated with the specific radiations are poorly understood. This is just the beginning of the assessment of the taxonomy and systematics of <i>Micronycteris</i>, which requires additional integrative taxonomical approaches for its advance.