Sergio Solari

Operational criteria for genetically defined species: analysis of the diversification of the small fruit-eating bats, Dermanura (Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatinae)

Species diversity and species limits of the small fruit-eating bats, genus Dermanura (Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatinae) were examined. Estimates of species diversity based on classical morphological criteria (current taxonomy) were compared to diversity estimates based on monophyly and cytochrome-b sequence divergence. The most recent taxonomic list included nine species, whereas the genetic based list contained 11: anderseni, azteca, bogotensis, cinerea, glauca, gnoma, phaeotis, rava, rosenbergi, tolteca, and watsoni, of which three (bogotensis Andersen, rava Miller, and rosenbergi Thomas) have been considered synonyms of cinerea, glauca, phaeotis, and tolteca by previous authors. In addition, we consider incomitata to be a synonym of watsoni. Phylogenetic analyses of mtDNA sequences resolved the interrelationships among taxa and prompted us to re-evaluate some morphological characters that support the distinction of all the recognized taxa, therefore providing a robust estimate of species status. A phylogenetic tree revealed a geographic component to the diversification of Dermanura, including a historical connection between western Andean and Middle American biota. In South America, no species has been recorded from both sides of the Andes Mountains, and at least one clade (glauca, gnoma, and bogotensis) is restricted to the eastern versant of the Andes. Using genetic data (monophyly and genetic distance) to identify species we were able to produce testable genealogical and biogeographic hypotheses to facilitate further studies.

Mammals and birds of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru /

Abstract The eastern slope of the tropical Andes and adjacent Amazonian lowlands are home to some of the worlds richest biotas. Here we report on recent surveys and inventories of mammal and bird faunas in Perus Manu National Park and Biosphere Reserve and compile these records with prior literature, museum specimens, and unpublished records to produce updated lists for both taxa. The lists of 222 species of mammals and 1005 species of birds recorded along an elevational transect in the Manu Biosphere Reserve are the largest for any similarly sized area in the world. Mammals recently documented in the reserve include 147 species, 130 with specimen vouchers. Twelve species were new to science, and most of these have been recently described; four others might be new and are currently being evaluated. Twenty-nine mammal species are newly added to Manus list. The cumulative tally comprises 20 species of opossums, 1 shrew opossum, 2 armadillos, 5 sloths and anteaters, 92 bats, 14 primates, 21 carnivores, 1 tapir, 7 even-toed ungulates, 58 rodents, and 1 rabbit. Avian records include 682 species with specimen vouchers and another 108 documented by recognizable photographs or voice recordings. The avifauna is largely resident, including 911 species that are year-round residents, 42 migrants from the north, 24 migrants from the south or other tropical areas, and 28 vagrants (represented by fewer than three records).

Mammals of the Manu Biosphere Reserve

MammalsoccurringintheManuBiosphereReserve.Newadditionstothefaunallistaredenotedbyasterisks;commonnamesnotusedbycontributorstoWilsonandReeder(2005)aredenotedbycarets.Records documented during recent NSF-funded surveys of the reserve are in boldface, first listingthosewithmuseumvouchers,whilesight,sound,orsignrecordsappearinparentheses.Localitycodesand their locations are listed in the Gazetteer and shown in Figure 4. Minimum and maximumelevationsalongtheManutransectareinmeters.

Systematics of Malaysian woolly bats (Vespertilionidae: Kerivoula) inferred from mitochondrial, nuclear, karyotypic, and morphological data

Abstract Examining species boundaries using data from multiple independent sources is an appropriate and robust method to identify genetically isolated evolutionary units. We used 5 data sets—cytochrome b (Cytb), cytochrome c oxidase (COI), amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), karyotypes, and morphology—to estimate phylogenetic relationships and species limits within woolly bats, genus Kerivoula, from Southeast Asia. We genetically analyzed 54 specimens of Kerivoula from Malaysia, assigned to 6 of the 10 species currently reported from the country. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear AFLPs (33 specimens) and mitochondrial DNA sequences from Cytb (51 specimens) and COI (48 specimens) resulted in similar statistically supported species-level clades with minimal change in branching order. Using comparisons of cranial and dental morphology and original species descriptions, we assigned the resulting phylogenetic clades to K. hardwickii, K. intermedia, K. lenis, K. minuta, K. papillosa, K pellucida, and 1 unidentified species. Karyotypes further documented variability among the 6 clades. Five different karyotypes were identified, with 2 species having indistinguishable karyotypes. We compared our COI gene sequence data to 110 specimens of Kerivoula from Southeast Asia made available by researchers of the Barcode of Life Database. Our Cytb and AFLP species identifications were congruent with those in the COI database. Intraspecific geographic variation of about 5–7% sequence divergence was observed in Cytb and COI genes within both K. hardwickii and K. minuta. Relaxed molecular clock analyses indicated a late Oligocene to early Miocene origin of the Kerivoulinae with intraspecific diversification events coinciding with the late Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs in at least 6 species. Specimens from Sabah (northeastern Borneo) showed relatively high genetic divergence compared to those between Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak (southwestern Borneo), indicating Pleistocene or Pliocene refugia in Borneo. We conclude that at least 1 distinct lineage of Kerivoula is yet to be described from Borneo and that the intraspecific geographic variation in some species agrees with previous studies on the diversification of flora and fauna in Borneo.

NEW SPECIES OF MONODELPHIS (DIDELPHIMORPHIA: DIDELPHIDAE) FROM PERU, WITH NOTES ON M. ADUSTA (THOMAS, 1897)

Abstract Monodelphis (short-tailed opossums) is the most diverse genus in the family Didelphidae, including at least 20 recognized species. This paper describes a new species of short-tailed opossum from the lowland forests of Loreto, northeastern Peru. The new species is intermediate in size and coloration between M. ronaldi, a species recently described on the basis of 1 specimen from southeastern Peru, and M. adusta, a more common species distributed across western Amazonia. However, the new species is sympatric only with M. emiliae. Diagnostic characters include overall large size, conspicuously wide buffy stripe on the venter, wide rostrum, narrow postorbital constriction, rounded posterior border of the infraorbital foramen, small and well-separated tympanic processes of alisphenoid, conspicuous posttympanic processes, enlarged canines, small 1st upper premolars, and enlarged cingula on premolars and molars. Whereas morphologically the new species closely resembles M. ronaldi and M. adusta, a phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences (which did not include M. ronaldi) indicates M. osgoodi as its sister taxon. Examination of molecular data also indicates that M. adusta is paraphyletic relative to M. osgoodi and the new species, and that populations currently referred to M. a. adusta and to M. a. peruviana each represent 2 distantly related and clearly distinct species.

Phylogenetic Relationships of Mouse Opossums (Didelphidae, Marmosa) with a Revised Subgeneric Classification and Notes on Sympatric Diversity

ABSTRACT To resolve phylogenetic relationships among species of Marmosa we analyzed DNA sequences from one mitochondrial and three nuclear genes for every member of the nominotypical subgenus and from four species of the subgenus Micoureus. As reported in previous studies, the subgenus Marmosa was found to be paraphyletic, whereas Micoureus was recovered as a robustly supported clade. Species currently referred to the subgenus Marmosa form four strongly supported and morphologically diagnosable groups. Based on these results we recognize a total of five subgenera: Marmosa Gray, 1821 (for macrotarsus, murina, tyleriana, and waterhousei); Micoureus Lesson, 1842 (for alstoni, constantiae, demerarae, paraguayana, phaea, and regina); Stegomarmosa Pine, 1972 (for andersoni and lepida); Eomarmosa, new subgenus (for rubra); and Exulomarmosa, new subgenus (for isthmica, mexicana, robinsoni, simonsi, xerophila, and zeledoni). The best-supported hypothesis of relationships among these clades is ((Stegomarmosa (Marmosa + Micoureus)) (Eomarmosa + Exulomarmosa)), and our results additionally resolve many interspecific relationships within each subgenus. These clades have broadly overlapping geographic distributions, especially in western Amazonia, where the arboreal insectivorous-frugivorous niche of Marmosa is apparently partitioned among multiple sympatric congeners.

Higher Level Classification of Phyllostomid Bats with a Summary of DNA Synapomorphies

The family Phyllostomidae is recognized as representing the most extensive radiation known in any mammalian family. Creating a Linnaean classification for this clade has been difficult and controversial. In two companion papers, we here propose a revised classification drawing on the strengths of genetic and morphological data and reflecting current ideas regarding phylogenetic relationships within this monophyletic clade. We recognize 11 subfamilies (Macrotinae, Micronycterinae, Desmodontinae, Phyllostominae, Glossophaginae, Lonchorhininae, Lonchophyllinae, Glyphonycterinae, Carolliinae, Rhinophyllinae, and Stenodermatinae), 12 tribes (Diphyllini, Desmodontini, Macrophyllini, Phyllostomini, Vampyrini, Glossophagnini, Brachyphyllini, Choeronycterini, Lonchophyllini, Hsunycterini, Sturnirini, and Stenodermatini), and nine subtribes (Brachyphyllina, Phyllonycterina, Anourina, Choeronycterina, Vampyressina, Enchisthenina, Ectophyllina, Artibeina, and Stenodermatina). The proposed arrangement avoids non-monophyletic associations, only keeping those detected based on analyses of DNA sequence data. We propose that a classification based on the strengths of the most complete morphological and genetic data sets will provide the most robust classification for multiple uses by science and society.

Morphological Diagnoses of Higher-Level Phyllostomid Taxa (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

Phyllostomidae (New World leaf-nosed bats), the second most speciose chiropteran family, is one of the best-known and wellstudied chiropteran groups. Due to the ecological and morphological diversity of this family, comparative studies of phyllostomids abound in the literature, and numerous systematic and phylogenetic analyses have been published. Unfortunately, many of these studies have reached different conclusions concerning phyllostomid relationships, and have proposed different classification schemes. This has led to confusion, and highlighted the need for a well-supported and stable classification of the family, particularly at the level of subfamilies and tribes, areas of the greatest controversy. The goal of this paper is to provide morphological diagnoses of higher-level taxa (subtribes, tribes, and subfamilies). Herein we provide morphological diagnoses for 11 subfamilies (Macrotinae, Micronycterinae, Desmodontinae, Lonchorhininae, Phyllostominae, Glyphonycterinae, Glossophaginae, Lonchophyllinae, Carollinae, Rhinophyllinae, and Stenodermatinae), 12 tribes (Desmodontini, Diphyllini, Macrophyllini, Phyllostomini, Vampyrini, Choeronycterini, Glossophagini, Brachyphyllini, Lonchophyllini, Hsunycterini, Sturnirini, and Stenodermatini), and nine subtribes (Anourina, Choeronycterina, Brachyphyllina, Phyllonycterina, Vampyressina, Enchisthenina, Ectophyllina, Artibeina, and Stenodermatina).

A New Species of the Didelphid Marsupial Genus Monodelphis from Eastern Bolivia

ABSTRACT A new species of the didelphid marsupial genus Monodelphis is described from the eastern Bolivian province of Santa Cruz. The new species, currently known from a single specimen, belongs to the M. brevicaudata group but differs from other taxa within that clade (M. brevicaudata, M. domestica, M. glirina, M. maraxina, and M. palliolata) in size, qualitative morphological characters, and cytochrome-b gene sequences.

Geographic distribution, ecology, and phylogenetic affinities of Thyroptera lavali Pine 1993

Thyroptera lavali (Chiroptera: Thyropteridae) is a rare Neotropical species that until now has been recorded from only five localities in the Amazonian rainforests of Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Brazil. Fewer than 10 specimens of T. lavali exist and, accordingly, little is known about its distribution, natural history, and phylogenetic affinities. We report new records for the species from southeastern Peru. Together with other recently published records, these expand the known range of the species considerably, as well as increase our knowledge of its ecology. Thyroptera lavali seems to prefer primary forest near swamps, and probably roosts in palms; its reproductive pattern is similar to that of other Neotropical insectivorous bats, with parturition at the beginning of wet season. Finally, we used two different data matrices to assess its phylogenetic relationships: one of discrete morphological characters, the other of DNA sequences of mitochondrial genes. Both data sets support a sister relationship between T. lavali and T. tricolor, with T. discifera as the basal member of the genus Thyroptera.