New Insights into the Taxonomy of Myotis Bats in China Based on Morphology and Multilocus Phylogeny

The genus Myotis is one of the most diverse and widely distributed mammals, providing a good model for studies speciation diversification across large geographic scales. However, classification within this has long been chaotic. Taxonomic revisions based on multiple data sources are essential urgent. In study, morphometrics genetic markers with different modes inheritance were used to clarify taxonomy in China. Based 173 mitochondrial Cytb sequences five morphological characteristics, 114 specimens collected nationwide over past 20 years assigned 11 species. All Chinese samples classified into M. davidii longipes revised alticraniatus laniger. Then, two nuclear fragments (Rag2 Chd1) from representative individuals multilocus phylogeny reconstruction divergence evaluation. phylogenetic relationships clearly demonstrated species tree: laniger; fimbriatus, pilosus, macrodactylus, petax; pequinius, chinensis, blythii formed three strongly supported monophyletic clades. Mitochondrial was almost 10 times that divergence, interspecific K2P distances ranging 8% 20% 0.3% 2.3% concatenated genes. Low levels observed between laniger, as well fimbriatus pilosus. These results provide new insights bats China important future research conservation Myotis.