Systematic position and taxonomy of Pipistrellus deserti (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)

Abstract

Pipistrellus deserti is a small, pale-coloured bat occurring in the most arid parts of the Sahara, in Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, and the Sudan, and marginally also in sub-Saharan Africa. Although most authors consider P. deserti as a full species, others regard it as a subspecies, or even as a junior synonym of Pipistrellus kuhlii. We analysed the topotype material of P. deserti from Libya using both morphologic and molecular characters, and compared them with samples from other Saharan countries and with P. kuhlii from around the Mediterranean. The Libyan samples of deserti are morphologically very similar to other populations from arid parts of North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Sudan), but differ markedly in the size of most skull dimensions when compared to P. kuhlii sampled in more mesic areas. However, phylogenetic reconstructions indicate that mitochondrial haplotypes of typical P. deserti from Libya and those from Morocco do not form a monophyletic group but are fully embedded within the larger radiation of P. kuhlii from Africa and Europe, rendering this species paraphyletic. Limited nuclear information (five microsatellite loci) also failed to provide evidence of significant differences between the two morphotypes, as pipistrelles are instead grouped by geographic origin. Altogether, these genetic data suggest that the morphological uniqueness of P. deserti may result from recent adaptations to arid habitats, rather than reflect a long independent evolutionary history. In the absence of more compelling evidence of barriers to gene flow, we therefore suggest Pipistrellus deserti to be considered a junior synonym of Vespertilio kuhlii ( = P. kuhlii).

New data on bats from Dire Dawa region, eastern Ethiopia, with the first record of Rhinopoma microphyllum in the country

“…This remains particularly valid for the mammals of the Horn of Africa including bats (see e.g. Hulva et al 2007, Benda et al 2015, Lanza et al 2015, Bray and Benda 2016, Kruskop et al 2016, Vallo et al 2019.…”

<b>Current status, distribution and conservation status of Algerian bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera)</b>

“…Although most authors consider P. deserti as a full species, others regard it as a subspecies, or even as a junior synonym of Pipistrellus kuhlii. Benda et al (2014) analysed topotypical material of P. deserti from Libya and compared them with samples from other Saharan countries and with P. kuhlii from all around the Mediterranean. The Libyan samples of deserti are morphologically very similar to other populations from arid parts of North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Sudan), but differ markedly in the size of most skull dimensions when compared to P. kuhlii sampled in more mesic areas.…”

Wintering of an urban bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus) in recently occupied areas

“…Within this range, the P. kuhlii species group includes several morphological and genetic forms the taxonomic status of which is still subject to debate (e.g. Benda et al 2015;Andriollo et al 2015;Sachanowicz et al 2017). In Europe, two forms have been clearly described P. k. kuhlii and P. k. lepidus (Sachanowicz et al 2017).…”

“…Considering this, it is likely that most previous research from Southern Europe and around the Mediterranean has focused on P. k. kuhlii (e.g. Benda et al 2015, while the natural history and ecological features of P. k. lepidus have been poorly studied. Moreover, comparing these two stories of range expansion, it looks like P. k. lepidus was moving faster, and it is a question of what specific ecological or morphological features allowed this bat taxon to achieve it.…”