Patterns of genetic variation in Mops leucostigma (Molossidae) from Madagascar and the Comoros.
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Date
2008
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Abstract
The synanthropic molossid bat, Mops leucostigma (Allen 1918), is widely distributed across
Madagascar and has recently been described from the Comoros. M. leucostigma individuals
from eastern Malagasy populations are markedly larger than those from the west, and Mops
leucostigma populations from Madagascar are morphologically distinct from populations of its
putative sister species, Mops condylurus from mainland Africa (Ratrimomanarivo et al. in press,
Genetic diversity was assessed by sequencing the mitochondrial cytochrome b (n = 56) and
displacement loop (D-loop) (n = 64) regions of Mops leucostigma individuals from a broad
range of locations across Madagascar, and Mohéli and Anjouan in the Comoros. Specimens of
Mops condylurus (n =3), Mops midas (n =3) and Otomops martiensseni (n = 1) were included in
the study for comparative purposes as outgroups. Phenetic and cladistic analysis of cytochrome
b and D-loop sequences strongly supported the reciprocally-monophyletic status of Mops
condylurus and M. leucostigma. Comorian (Mohéli and Anjouan) and Malagasy M. leucostigma
samples formed a monophyletic Mops leucostigma group, within which Comorian samples
formed a poorly-supported subclade in the cytochrome b analysis only. Cytochrome b genetic
distances of 13.8 % separated M. midas from M. condylurus and M. leucostigma, which formed
reciprocally-monophyletic sister groups separated by genetic distances of 2.5 % for cytochrome
b and 13 % for the D-loop. 49 M. leucostigma cytochrome b sequences yielded seven
haplotypes, two of which were exclusive to the Comoros. D-loop haplotype analysis did not
support the distinctiveness of the Comorian samples. Genetic distances within M. leucostigma
samples were low (0.22 % for cytochrome b and 1.91 % for the D-loop). Comorian samples
were found to be genetically attributable to M. leucostigma. Clear phylogenetic separation
between M. condylurus and M. leucostigma was found in all analyses, consistent with their
status as phylogenetic species within the genus Mops. There was no clear correlation between
haplotype distribution and aspect (east/west-facing slopes), elevation or gender. Low mtDNA
variation (cytochrome b and D-loop) and lack of phylogeographic concordance indicates that
the observed morphometric variation between eastern and western Mops leucostigma
populations may possibly be explained in terms of adaptation to local environmental conditions.
Description
Thesis (M.Sc.)-Univeristy of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.
Keywords
Free-tailed bats--Madagascar., Free-tailed bats--Comoro Islands, Theses--Zoology.