Vu Dinh Thong

How and Why Overcome the Impediments to Resolution: Lessons from rhinolophid and hipposiderid Bats

Abstract The phylogenetic and taxonomic relationships among the Old World leaf-nosed bats (Hipposideridae) and the closely related horseshoe bats (Rhinolophidae) remain unresolved. In this study, we generated a novel approximately 10-kb molecular data set of 19 nuclear exon and intron gene fragments for 40 bat species to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships within the families Rhinolophidae and Hipposideridae. We estimated divergence times and explored potential reasons for any incongruent phylogenetic signal. We demonstrated the effects of outlier taxa and genes on phylogenetic reconstructions and compared the relative performance of intron and exon data to resolve phylogenetic relationships. Phylogenetic analyses produced a well-resolved phylogeny, supporting the familial status of Hipposideridae and demonstrated the paraphyly of the largest genus, Hipposideros. A fossil-calibrated timetree and biogeographical analyses estimated that Rhinolophidae and Hipposideridae diverged in Africa during the Eocene approximately 42 Ma. The phylogram, the timetree, and a unique retrotransposon insertion supported the elevation of the subtribe Rhinonycterina to family level and which is diagnosed herein. Comparative analysis of diversification rates showed that the speciose genera Rhinolophus and Hipposideros underwent diversification during the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum. The intron versus exon analyses demonstrated the improved nodal support provided by introns for our optimal tree, an important finding for large-scale phylogenomic studies, which typically rely on exon data alone. With the recent outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome, caused by a novel coronavirus, the study of these species is urgent as they are considered the natural reservoir for emergent severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-like coronaviruses. It has been shown that host phylogeny is the primary factor that determines a virus’s persistence, replicative ability, and can act as a predictor of new emerging disease. Therefore, this newly resolved phylogeny can be used to direct future assessments of viral diversity and to elucidate the origin and development of SARS-like coronaviruses in mammals.

A taxonomic review of Rhinolophus stheno and R. malayanus (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) from continental Southeast Asia: an evaluation of echolocation call frequency in discriminating between cryptic species

Abstract The taxon Rhinolophus microglobosus is elevated to specific rank on the basis of clearly defined morphometric and acoustic characters which differentiate it from Rhinolophus stheno. It is recorded from Cambodia for the first time. Rhinolophus malayanus exhibits considerable geographical variation in echolocation calls, with apparently two phonic types: a northern population with lower frequency calls and a predominantly southern population with higher frequencies. However, this acoustic divergence is not reflected in any morphometric divergence, and the taxonomic status of the two phonic populations remains unclear. Discriminating characters of all three species are given, together with distribution data and short ecological summaries. The value of echolocation as an indicator of cryptic species and the zoogeographical implications of the study are briefly discussed.

A new species of Kerivoula (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Southeast Asia

ABSTRACT A new species of Kerivoula is described from Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area, Cambodia. It is widely distributed in mainland Southeast Asia, with referred material from 12 additional localities in Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR and Vietnam. Superficially similar to Kerivoula flora, it is distinguished by its flattened skull, a character shared with the larger, recently described, Kerivoula kachinensis. It is known from a variety of habitat types, both pristine and disturbed, including deciduous dipterocarp forest, moist evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, forest on limestone karst and upper montane forest.

A new species of Hipposideros (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) from Vietnam

Abstract A new species of Hipposideros is described from Vietnam. Morphologically, it is similar to taxa in the Hipposideros armiger complex but is substantially smaller. The new species, which has been found living sympatrically with H. armiger in Cat Ba National Park, is distinguished from it by size, acoustic characters, and differences in the mitochondrial DNA. Currently, the new taxon is known from Cat Ba Island in Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam and from Chu Mom Ray National Park, which is situated on the mainland some 1,000 km to the south. It was collected in disturbed and primary forests.

Description of a New Species Belonging to the Murina ‘suilla-group’ (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: Murininae) from North Vietnam

Based on a series of 11 specimens collected in north Vietnam between 2006 and 2007, a new species of tube-nosed bat belonging to the genus Murina is described. Externally similar to Murina aurata Milne-Edwards, 1872, from which it differs primarily in dental characteristics, the new species is distinguished from all other existing species of Murina by a combination of its small size, pelage and craniodental features. It is currently known from three localities in north Vietnam, all of which include significant areas of forest over limestone karst.

New records of Microchiroptera (Rhinolophidae and Kerivoulinae) from Vietnam and Thailand

ABSTRACT The diversity of Rhinolophidae in Thailand and Vietnam is briefly discussed and the taxonomy of Asian Kerivoulinae, with particular reference to the genus Phoniscus, is reviewed. Four new country records are included: Rhinolophus shameli and Kerivoula kachinensis from Vietnam and Phoniscus jagorii from Vietnam and Thailand. A second record of Phoniscus atrox from Thailand is also discussed.

A review of the Murina cyclotis complex (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with descriptions of a new species and subspecies

Until recently, the taxon Murina cyclotis was considered to be a widespread species, albeit one that exhibited considerable individual, sexual and geographical variation. Subsequently however, it was recognised that this taxon was in fact a complex of species. As such, in 2012, two larger forms were recognised as separate and distinct species, namely: M. peninsularis in the Sunda region and M. fionae in Laos and Vietnam. In the current paper, a new cryptic species of the cyclotis-complex is described from peninsular Thailand based on a combination of external, craniodental and genetic differences. In addition, the population previously referred to M. cyclotis from the Nicobar Islands is described as a new subspecies of this new species. Despite this work and the research of others, the taxonomy of M. cyclotis still requires further study. The description of M. peninsularis is emended and the extensive variation in its morphological characters is addressed. The diagnostic characters of each taxon, as well as the additional data on ecology, zoogeography, distribution, echolocation and genetics, where available, are summarised and discussed.

The reds and the yellows: a review of Asian Chrysopteron Jentink, 1910 (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: Myotis)

Abstract Chrysopteron Jentink, 1910 is 1 of the 7 subgenera of Myotis Kaup, 1829 recognized by Tate that traditionally comprises Asian and African species characterized by conspicuously parti-colored wing membranes. Definition of Myotis subgenera has long challenged taxonomists and prior to the present study the systematic status of numerous forms within Chrysopteron remained unclear. Following examination of material (including available type specimens) in 21 European, North American, and Asian collections, and using morphological (external, cranial, and dental characters) and genetic data, we evaluate the validity of the Chrysopteron subgenus, revise the taxonomy of the named Asian forms, and review their distinguishing characters, distribution, and taxonomic history. We argue that Chrysopteron is an available name for a monophyletic “Ethiopian clade” recovered with high support in our analyses, which comprises species characterized by striking reddish or yellowish dorsal fur that strongly differentiates them from congeners. We also determine that M. formosus sensu lato contains several morphologically distinct forms, some of which occur in sympatry and some in widely separated localities. A morphological key is provided for all Asian species of Chrysopteron revealed by our study: M. bartelsi Jentink, 1910 (Java and Bali), M. formosus (Hodgson, 1835) (Afghanistan, India, Nepal, China, Taiwan, and Vietnam), M. hermani Thomas, 1923 (Sumatra, Thailand, and Malaysia), M. rufoniger (Tomes, 1858) (Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, Laos, and Vietnam), M. rufopictus (Waterhouse, 1845) (Philippines), and M. weberi (Jentink, 1890) (Sulawesi).

A taxonomic review of Rhinolophus coelophyllus Peters 1867 and R. shameli Tate 1943 (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) in continental Southeast Asia

Recent field studies have provided new data for a review of the taxonomy, acoustic characters, distribution, and ecology of two often confused rhinolophid species, which have essentially parapatric distributions in continental Southeast Asia. Rhinolophus coelophyllus is widespread ranging from northern Myanmar to northern Malaysia, eastern Thailand and provisionally western Lao PDR. R. shameli is restricted to eastern Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and central and southern Vietnam. There are well defined differences in skull morphology, size, and echolocation call frequency, which discriminate between the two taxa.

Taxonomic Implications of Geographical Variation in Rhinolophus Affinis (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) in Mainland Southeast Asia

BackgroundRhinolophus 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.ResultsThree morphological forms were confirmed within the region; two concur with previously recognized taxa, namely R. affinis macrurus and R. 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).ConclusionsOur 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.