Discussion of Phylogenetic Relationships

Five subfamilies are currently recognized in Vespertilionidae: Vespertilioninae, Myotinae, Miniopterinae, Murininae, and Kerivoulinae (Volleth and Heller, 1994; Simmons, 1998; Simmons and Geisler, 1998). Of these, the latter three are each clearly monophyletic (for a list of synapomorphies see Simmmons, 1998). Separation of Myotinae from Vespertilioninae is suggested by chromosome data (Volleth and Heller, 1994) and results of Simmons' (1998) and Simmons and Geisler's (1998) phylogenetic analyses, but DNA hybridization data have suggested that Myotis nests within a clade of vespertilionines (Kirsch et al., 1998). Monophyly of Myotinae (Myotis + Lasionycteris) remains uncertain because no unambigous morphological synapomorphies diagnose this group, and no chromosome data are available for Lasionycteris. Monophyly of Myotis is supported by dervied chromosomal features (Volleth and Heller, 1994), but it is not known if any or all of these traits also occur in Lasionycteris. Monophyly of Vespertilioninae (excluding Myotinae) is also supported only by chromosome data (Volleth and Heller, 1994). Unfortunately, comparable chromosome data are not available for Lasiurini or Antrozoidae, leaving open the possibility that Vespertilioninae may be paraphyletic.

The most comprehensive study of vespertilionid relationships is that of Volleth and Heller (1994), who examined banded chromosomes of Old World representatives of over 20 genera. They found support for monophyly of Vespertilioninae (excluding Myotis). Using Natalus (Natalidae) and Molossus (Molossidae) as outgroups, Volleth and Heller (1994) found support for vespertilionid monophyly with Miniopterinae occupying the most basal branch in the family tree. This contrasts somewhat with Simmons' (1998) and Simmons and Geisler's (1998) tree topology, which placed Vespertilioninae as the basal branch. Volleth and Heller could not resolve the relative relationships of Myotinae, Murininae, and Kerivoulinae, but their results do not contradict Simmons' (1998) and Simmons and Geisler's (1998) findings that Murininae and Kerivoulinae form a clade with Myotinae as their sister-taxon.

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