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. 2019 Oct 10;14(10):e0213562.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213562. eCollection 2019.

Integrated approaches to identifying cryptic bat species in areas of high endemism: The case of Rhinolophus andamanensis in the Andaman Islands

Chelmala Srinivasulu  1   2 , Aditya Srinivasulu  3 , Bhargavi Srinivasulu  1   2 , Gareth Jones  4
Affiliations

Integrated approaches to identifying cryptic bat species in areas of high endemism: The case of Rhinolophus andamanensis in the Andaman Islands

Chelmala Srinivasulu et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

The diversity of bats worldwide includes large numbers of cryptic species, partly because divergence in acoustic traits such as echolocation calls are under stronger selection than differences in visual appearance in these nocturnal mammals. Island faunas often contain disproportionate numbers of endemic species, and hence we might expect cryptic, endemic species to be discovered relatively frequently in bats inhabiting islands. Species are best defined when multiple lines of evidence supports their diagnosis. Here we use morphometric, acoustic, and molecular phylogenetic data to show that a horseshoe bat in the Andaman Islands is distinct in all three aspects, supporting its status as a distinct species. We recommend investigation into possible new and endemic bat species on islands by using integrated approaches that provide independent lines of evidence for taxonomic distinctiveness. We provide a formal redescription of the taxon newly raised to species level, Rhinolophus andamanensis Dobson, 1872.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Principal component analysis of Rhinolophus affinis sensu lato and Rhinolophus andamanensis sensu stricto.
A. vector loadings plot [cranial (red) and external (black) variables], B. PCA plot.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Spectrogram of echolocation calls of Rhinolophus andamanensis Dobson, 1872.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Maximum clade credibility topology estimated from Bayesian Inference (BI) of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene dataset using Hasegawa-Kishino-Yano + invariant sites (HKY+I, BIC = 3409.38).
Values at the nodes are posterior probability values. Rhinolophus lepidus is used as an outgroup taxon.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Live images (A-C) and holotype (ZSI Reg. No. 15561) (D) of Rhinolophus andamanensis Dobson, 1872.
Ear pinna and antitragus (A), frontal view of the noseleaf and three mental grooves (B), and lateral view of the noseleaf showing shape of the sella (C) and the holotype (D).
Fig 5
Fig 5. Skull and mandible of Rhinolophus andamanensis Dobson, 1872.
Skull: A. Dorsal view, B. Ventral view, C. Lateral view, D. Frontal view; Mandible: E. Dorsal view, F. Lateral view, G. Frontal view (Scale: 5 mm).
Fig 6
Fig 6. Baculum of Rhinolophus andamanensis Dobson, 1872.
Typical form (A-C), and secondary type (D-E). A. & D. Dorsal view, B. Ventral view, C. & E. Lateral view (Scale: 1 mm).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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