Molecular, morphological and acoustic identification of Eumops maurus and Eumops hansae (Chiroptera: Molossidae) with new reports from Central Amazonia

Lopez-Baucells, A; Rocha, R; Tavares, VC; Moras, LM; Silva, SE; Bobrowiec, PED; Meyer, CFJ

Abstract

Eumops maurus and Eumops hansae are rarely captured Neotropical molossid bats for
which information on taxonomy, natural history, and spatial distribution are scarce.
This translates into a poor understanding of their ecology and limits the delimitation
of useful characters for their identification. Here, we describe records of these two
molossids from the Central Brazilian Amazon, providing data on their external and
craniodental morphology, DNA barcode (COI) sequences complemented by acoustic
data for the species. Morphological characters, DNA sequence data and phylogenetic
relationships within the genus Eumops were consistent with those previously described
for both species. Echolocation call characteristics did not differ significantly so as to be
useful for separating E. maurus and E. hansae from other congeners. Our records are,
respectively the first and the second for Central Amazonia as one individual previously
attributed to Eumops amazonicus from Manaus may be considered a junior synonym
for E. hansae. These new records increase the extent of the species’ known ranges,
partially filling in previous existing gaps in their distribution in central South America.
Our data further suggest that these molossid bats forage in a wider range of habitats
than previously thought.

Citation

Lopez-Baucells, A., Rocha, R., Tavares, V., Moras, L., Silva, S., Bobrowiec, P., & Meyer, C. (2017). Molecular, morphological and acoustic identification of Eumops maurus and Eumops hansae (Chiroptera: Molossidae) with new reports from Central Amazonia. Tropical Zoology, 31(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/03946975.2017.1382284

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 18, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Oct 31, 2017
• Publication Date: Oct 31, 2017
• Deposit Date: Oct 31, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 31, 2018
• Journal: Tropical Zoology
• Print ISSN: 0394-6975
• Electronic ISSN: 1970-9528
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Volume: 31
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 1-20
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03946975.2017.1382284
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03946975.2017.1382284
• Related Public URLs: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ttzo20/current
• Additional Information: Funders : Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology;CAPES