Thursday, February 12, 2015

[Mammalogy • 2015] Morphology, Genetics and Echolocation Calls of the Genus Kerivoula (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: Kerivoulinae) in Thailand


ค้างคาวยอดกล้วยปีกใส Kerivoula hardwickii
photo: PSUNHM via siamensis.org

Abstract

Following extensive field work in Thailand (2010–2013) and the examination of 155 museum specimens, this paper reviews and examines the taxonomy of the genus Kerivoula in Thailand, based on morphology, genetics, and echolocation call characteristics. Seven species (as currently understood), Kerivoula papillosa, K. kachinensis, K. hardwickii, K. titania, K. pellucida, K. krauensis and K. minuta, were analysed in detail. Thai specimens of two species, K. picta and K. whiteheadi, were not available for study. Morphological data suggested a complex pattern of possible cryptic species, with at least five morphotypes, based on cranial data for K. papillosa, and nine for K. hardwickii, as currently understood. An analysis of the mitochondrial DNA (COI) from Thai specimens identified three genetic lineages in K. papillosa and K. hardwickii, respectively. The echolocation calls data differed significantly, albeit with individual acoustic parameters overlapping considerably, among genetic lineages. The taxonomic status of the various lineages and morphotypes are discussed.

Keywords: cryptic species; hardwickii; papillosa; phylogeny; Southeast Asia; taxonomy


Figure 3 Dorsal (left) and ventral (right) pelage of four species of Kerivoula .
(A) Kerivoula hardwickii C, PSUZC-MM2013.22, ♂, Phu Pha Phet Ranger Station, Khao Bantad Wildlife Sanctuary, Satun Province; (B) K. pellucida , PSUZC-MM2013.24, ♂, Phu Pha Phet Ranger Station, Khao Bantad Wildlife Sanctuary, Satun Province; (C) K. krauensis , PSUZC-MM2013.25, ♂, Hala-Bala Wildlife Research Station, Narathiwat Province; (D) K. minuta , BD130825.3, ♂, Phu Pha Phet Ranger Station, Khao Bantad Wildlife Sanctuary, Satun Province. No scale.

Bounsavane Douangboubpha, Sara Bumrungsri, Chutamas Satasook, Warapond Wanna, Pipat Soisook and Paul J.J. Bates. 2015. Morphology, Genetics and Echolocation Calls of the Genus Kerivoula (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: Kerivoulinae) in Thailand. Mammalia. DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2014-0004