[Mammalogy • 2024] Rhinolophus webalai • Systematics of the Rhinolophus landeri complex (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae), with Evidence for 3 Additional Afrotropical Bat Species

  Rhinolophus webalai Patterson, Dick, Bartonjo & Demos,

in Patterson, Demos, Torrent, Grunwald, Montauban, Peterhans, McDonough, ... et Juste, 2024. ,  

Webala’s Horseshoe Bat  ||  DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyae085

Abstract

Roughly a third of all horseshoe bat species (Rhinolophidae: Rhinolophus) are found in Africa, where a recent continent-wide genetic survey suggested the presence of both undescribed and apparently invalid species. Here, we focus on the R. landeri species complex and the recent elevation of R. lobatus Peters, 1852, to species rank. That action created ambiguity in the taxonomy of East African members of the group—are both R. landeri Martin, 1838, and R. lobatus sympatric in East Africa or is another, unnamed species present there? Here, we refine genetic, morphological, and behavioral characterizations of R. landeri and its erstwhile synonyms with samples from the vicinity of their type localities. The distribution of R. landeri appears to be limited to Central and West Africa; existing genetic records attributed to this species from Mali clearly represent another taxon. We marshal genetic evidence for the species-level distinction of R. dobsoni Thomas, 1904, from Sudan, which was previously considered a synonym of R. landeri. We reject R. axillaris J. A. Allen, 1917, as a synonym of the R. landeri complex, provisionally regarding it as a valid member of the landeri species group. Finally, we demonstrate that East Africa is home to a fourth species of the landeri complex that is named herein. Final resolution of the systematics of this species complex awaits expanded characterizations (especially of genetics, vocalizations, and noseleaves) and studies of variation in regions of contact.

 

Afrotropical, Chiroptera, genetics, Rhinolophidae, species complex, systematics, vocalizations

Cranial and mandibular views of the Rhinolophus landeri species complex, all to same scale:
(a) R. dobsoni, FMNH 48714; (b) R. landeri, FMNH 240685; (c) R. lobatus, FMNH 229146; and (d) Rhinolophus webalai sp. nov., FMNH 215894 (holotype).

External characteristics of Rhinolophus webalai sp. nov., showing nose leaf, axillary tufts, and typical grayish-brown pelage condition of FMNH 233830, adult male from Marsabit National Park and Reserve, Kenya.

Rhinolophus webalai Patterson, Dick, Bartonjo, and Demos, new species

Webala’s Horseshoe Bat

Diagnosis: A small member of the R. landeri species complex with spade-shaped sella, acutely triangular connecting process, lancet with strongly concave tip, and the presence of rust-colored axillary tufts in a majority of adult males (Fig. 6). Middle lower premolar tiny, displaced labially and barely reaching the cingula of flanking premolars (Fig. 7). Echolocation call (Supplementary Data SD6) dominated by long constant-frequency signal flanked by brief initial and terminal frequency-modulated elements, the latter with a greater frequency span, making call bandwidth very broad. Peak frequency averages 109.7 kHz, end frequency 80.2 kHz, and bandwidth 30.2 kHz. Unlike other sampled members of the landeri complex, the fundamental (first) harmonic of the call is conspicuous.

Etymology: We are pleased to name the new species after one of Africa’s foremost bat biologists, Dr. Paul Waswa Webala, in recognition of his important contributions as a field biologist, conservation scientist, prolific author, and mentor to Africa’s next generation. We suggest Webala’s horseshoe bat as a common name for this species.

Bruce D Patterson, Terrence C Demos, Laura Torrent, Amanda L Grunwald, Cecilia Montauban, Julian C Kerbis Peterhans, Molly M McDonough, Carl W Dick, Michael Bartonjo, M Corrie Schoeman, Luis A Ruedas, Javier Juste. 2024. Systematics of the Rhinolophus landeri complex, with evidence for 3 additional Afrotropical bat species. Journal of Mammalogy. gyae085. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyae085

 

[Mammalogy • 2023] Pseudoromicia mbamminkom • A Review of Bats of the Genus Pseudoromicia (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with the Description of A New Species from Cameroon

 

Pseudoromicia mbamminkom 

Grunwald, Demos, Nguéagni, Tchamba, Monadjem, Webala, Peterhans, Patterson & Ruedas, 2023

Mbam Minkom Serotine  ||  DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2156002 

  Researchgate.net/publication/367245410

  twitter.com/TDemos7

  twitter.com/BatConIntl

Abstract

The Cameroon Volcanic Line, which divides the Congo Basin fauna from the West African fauna, is a known area of high endemism for various taxa, but the region’s bat fauna has received little attention. We review variation in morphological and molecular (mitochondrial Cytochrome b) characters in the Tropical African vespertilionid bat genus Pseudoromicia. Assessment of this variation indicates the existence of a new species of Pseudoromicia, from the Mbam Minkom Massif in the Centre Region of Cameroon. The new species is diagnosable by sequence data and is morphologically similar to its putative sister taxon, P. kityoi, from Uganda. Although we suggest that it be assigned to the IUCN category of Data Deficient, there should be some concern as to the conservation status of this species: the Mbam Minkom Massif ecosystem is threatened due to lack of legal conservation frameworks and exposure to increasing human pressure. The new species is in a clade with P. roseveari and P. kityoi. These three species may be relicts of a single widespread species originating in the West African “white-winged” group of Pseudoromicia that then spread east across the tropical moist broadleaf forest into East Africa, and are now restricted to a few upland rainforest patches in West Africa (P. roseveari), in outliers of the Cameroon Volcanic Line region (Pseudoromicia sp.), and the Lake Victoria area (P. kityoi). The smaller, white-winged species are hypothesized to be ancestral, with one extant putative species (P. rendalli) also extending into East and southern Africa (Van Cakenberghe & Happold, 2013). The larger, dark-winged taxa likely dispersed to East Africa and subsequently back to West Africa (e.g., Pseudoromicia sp., P. roseveari). Our data illustrate the potential importance of the Dahomey Gap and climatic changes in the evolution of this group of species.

 

Key words: Africa, bat, biodiversity, Cameroon, mitochondrial DNA, systematics, taxonomy

 Dorsal view of the body of the holotype of Pseudoromicia mbamminkom sp.nov.
 The frosted look is an effect of the lighting: the coloration is homogeneous. 

  Map of the type localities of Pseudoromicia species. Species marked with an asterisk ( Ã ) are part of the white-winged group. Map created using ArcGIS software by Esri (2020); basemap created by subsetting ESRI's RESOLVE Ecoregions dataset (2017) containing 846 terrestrial ecoregions grouped into 14 biomes.

 Dorsal, ventral, and lateral view of the skull of
the holotype of Pseudoromica kityoi (right) and
the holotype of Pseudoromicia mbamminkom sp.nov. (left).

Pseudoromicia mbamminkom sp. nov.

Mbam Minkom Serotine

Etymology. A noun in apposition, named for the type locality, the most prominent summit in its namesake Mbam Minkom Massif, an isolated gneiss inselberg formation emerging from the surrounding lowland forest matrix.

Distribution. Based on a single record at an elevationof 785 m on Mount Mbam Minkom in the Centre Region of Cameroon (Fig. 1) 

 

Amanda L. Grunwald, Terrence C. Demos, Yvette Nguéagni, Martin N. Tchamba, Ara Monadjem, Paul W. Webala, Julian C. Kerbis Peterhans, Bruce D. Patterson and Luis A. Ruedas. 2023. A Review of Bats of the Genus Pseudoromicia (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with the Description of A New Species. Systematics and Biodiversity. 21(1); 2156002. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2156002 

  Researchgate.net/publication/367245410_A_review_of_Pseudoromicia

  twitter.com/TDemos7/status/1616617460030996483

  twitter.com/BatConIntl/status/1617585661653159941

[Mammalogy • 2023] Pseudoromicia principis • A New Pipistrelle Bat (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from the oceanic Island of Príncipe (Western Central Africa)

  

 Pseudoromicia principis

Juste, Torrent, Méndez-Rodríguez, Howard, García-Mudarra, Nogueras & Ibáñez, 2023

DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac110

  twitter.com/RicardoNature 

  twitter.com/arualentina 

Abstract

We describe a population of pipistrelle-like bats from Príncipe Island (Gulf of Guinea, Western Central Africa) as a new species based on the molecular and morphological characteristics of six specimens collected more than 30 years ago. The description of this new species was not possible until the traditionally entangled systematics of the whole pipistrelle group was clarified in recent years with the inclusion of molecular techniques and adequate species sampling. In this new taxonomic framework, the new species was clearly included within the dark-winged group of the recently described genus Pseudoromicia. The pipistrelles from Príncipe Island present a moderately inflated skull in lateral view with inner upper incisors that are moderately bicuspids and a baculum distinctly long with expanded tips. Besides these morphological characters, the new bat species is distinguished by its dwarfism, being the smallest species recognized within the genus. The ecology and conservation status of this endemic island species are unknown and field studies are urgently needed to evaluate the situation and conservation threats to this new species in its natural habitat.

Keywords: African bat, Chiroptera, Cytb, mitochondrial DNA, Pseudoromicia, systematics, taxonomy

 Skull and mandible of the holotype of Pseudoromicia principis sp. nov. (EBD 17475M) in dorsal, ventral, lateral, front and back views as well as mandible top view.

 Photographs by Joxerra Aihartza.

 Portrait of  Pseudoromicia principis sp. nov. showing a typical pipistrelle-like appearance.
Pelage is chocolate brown dorsally and ventrally although tips of the ventral pelage present a distinct light creamy tinge. 

Photograph by Jorge Palmeirim.

Pseudoromicia principis, new species 

Príncipe’s Pipistrelle

Diagnosis: A small pipistrelle-like bat (forearm length 30.5–32.3 mm) with a long baculum with unique flattened tip with three circular bulges. Dark brown pelage with uncolored dorsal hair places the species in the genus Pseudoromicia. Dark chocolate brown pigmentation of hairless parts of the body and membranes (including wings) distinguishes this species from all the members of the translucent white-winged group of species of Pseudoromicia. This is the smallest bat so far described within the genus. It has a tiny moderately inflated skull (12.3–12.9 mm) with dimensions that do not overlap those of any other species of Pseudoromicia (Tables 3 and 4).

Etymology: The epithet “principis” is derived from the Latin princeps and refers to Príncipe Island (Gulf of Guinea, Western Central Africa) from where the bat is native and endemic. As a vernacular name we propose “Príncipe’s Pipistrelle.”

Javier Juste, Laura Torrent, Aline Méndez-Rodríguez, Kelli Howard, Juan Luis García-Mudarra, Jesús Nogueras and Carlos Ibáñez. 2023. A New Pipistrelle bat from the oceanic Island of Príncipe (Western Central Africa). Journal of Mammalogy. gyac110. DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyac110

  twitter.com/RicardoNature/status/1613482891178115073

  twitter.com/arualentina/status/1613826615280009216

[Mammalogy • 2022] Rediscovery of the Critically Endangered Hill's Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hilli) and Other New Records of Bat Species in Rwanda

Hill's Horseshoe Bat, Rhinolophus hilli Aellen, 1973

in Flanders, Frick, Nziza, ... et Webala, 2022.

 DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.10.e83546

Abstract

Background: 

For forty years, there has been growing uncertainty about whether Hill's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hilli) still persists in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. Only known from one small area within the National Park, R. hilli is listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), based on its extremely small geographic range and presumed low number of mature individuals. Here, we present and describe bat species occurrence data contributed to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) that we collected as part of a long-term collaborative project to rediscover this lost species. This data paper describes the survey methods and findings resulting from cave roost surveys, capture surveys, and acoustic sampling of bat echolocation activity in Nyungwe National Park and surrounding areas in south-western Rwanda from 2013-2020 and their conservation relevance.

New information: 

We report the discovery of an extant population of Hill's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hilli) in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda, 40 years since the last reported observation of the species in 1981. We also report the first record of Lander's horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus landeri) in Nyungwe National Park and the first record of the Damara woolly bat (Kerivoula argentata) in Rwanda. The dataset contributed to GBIF and described in this paper includes 278 occurrence records from 10 bat species of five families detected at 71 locations in or near Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. We include a description of the morphological descriptions of R. hilli and present the first acoustic echolocation signatures and phylogenetic information for this species.

Keywords: Afromontane rainforest, Albertine Rift, Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda

   

Sketches of noseleaf morphology of Rhinolophus hilli from photographs of the two individuals captured during this study.

Drawings by Fiona Reid.

Rhinolophus hilli Aellen, 1973

Notable records of bat species encountered in Nyungwe National Park.
A, B Rhinolophus hilli, first observation of this species since 1981;
C Rhinolophus landeri, first record of this species in Nyungwe National Park; D Rhinolophus clivosus, congeneric species found in Nyungwe for comparison; E Kerivoula argentata, first record of this species in Rwanda.

Jon Flanders, Winifred F. Frick, Julius Nziza, Olivier Nsengimana, Prince Kaleme, Marie Claire Dusabe, Innocent Ndikubwimana, Innocent Twizeyimana, Sospeter Kibiwot, Pierre Ntihemuka, Tina L Cheng, Richard Muvunyi and Paul Webala. 2022. Rediscovery of the Critically Endangered Hill's Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hilli) and Other New Records of Bat Species in Rwanda. Biodiversity Data Journal. 10: e83546. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.10.e83546

[Mammalogy • 2021] Dendrohyrax interfluvialis • A New Species of Tree Hyrax (Hyracoidea: Procaviidae) from West Africa and the Significance of the Niger–Volta Interfluvium in Mammalian Biogeography

Dendrohyrax interfluvialis

 Oates, Woodman, Gaubert, Sargis, Wiafe, Lecompte, Dowsett-Lemaire, Dowsett, Bi, Ikemeh, Djagoun, Tomsett & Bearder, 2021

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab029 

 facebook.com/SmithsonianNMNH 

 

Abstract

Tree hyraxes (Dendrohyrax) are one of only three genera currently recognized in Procaviidae, the only extant family in the mammalian order Hyracoidea. Their taxonomy and natural history have received little attention in recent decades. All tree hyrax populations of Guineo-Congolian forests of Africa are currently treated as a single species, Dendrohyrax dorsalis, the western tree hyrax, but many other groups of mammals distributed across this large biome have been shown to consist of several different species, each restricted to a distinct biogeographical region. We analysed variation in loud-call structure, pelage colour, skull morphometrics and mitochondrial genomes in populations across much of the range of D. dorsalis. This integrative approach uncovered considerable cryptic variation. The population found between the Niger and Volta Rivers in West Africa is particularly distinctive, and we describe it herein as a new species. Our study highlights the need to revise the taxonomy of the genus Dendrohyrax in light of modern systematics and current understanding of its distribution. It also adds to a growing body of evidence that the Niger–Volta interfluvium has a distinct meso-mammal fauna. Unfortunately, the fauna of this region is under major threat and warrants much greater conservation attention.

Keywords: biogeography, cryptic species, Dahomey Gap, endemism, Mammalia, molecular systematics, morphometrics, skull, speciation, vocalizations

Dendrohyrax interfluvialis

Photo of tree hyrax habitat; Omo Forest Reserve W Nigeria

  facebook.com/SmithsonianNMNH

John F. Oates, Neal Woodman, Philippe Gaubert, Eric J. Sargis, Edward D. Wiafe, Emilie Lecompte, Françoise Dowsett-Lemaire, Robert J. Dowsett, Sery Gonedelé Bi, Rachel A. Ikemeh, Chabi A. M. S. Djagoun, Louise Tomsett and Simon K. Bearder. 2021. A New Species of Tree Hyrax (Procaviidae: Dendrohyrax) from West Africa and the Significance of the Niger–Volta Interfluvium in Mammalian Biogeography. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlab029.  DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab029

  facebook.com/SmithsonianNMNH/posts/10158352160348230

A new study in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society co-authored by Yale anthropologist Eric Sargis finds that the barking hyraxes are a separate species from their shrieking neighbors. The newly described species, Dendrohyrax interfluvialis, populates the wet and dry forests that lie between the two rivers in coastal regions of southeastern Ghana, southern Togo and Benin, and southwestern Nigeria. 

Barks in the night lead to the discovery of new species

news.yale.edu/2021/06/14/barks-night-lead-discovery-new-species

phys.org/news/2021-06-barks-night-discovery-species.html

[Mammalogy • 2021] Molecular Systematics and Biogeographic History of the African Climbing-mouse Complex (Dendromus)

  Dendromus lovati, Dendromus nyasae, Poemys sp.

in Voelker, Huntley, Bryja, ... et Peterhans, 2021. 

 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107166 

Highlights: 

• Climbing-mice are widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa.

• Extensive sampling of species and localities reveals 14 cryptic taxa.

• Six other taxa are identified as likely synonymized species.

• B Distributions suggest considerable ability of climbing-mice to colonize new areas.

Abstract

Climbing mice in the genus Dendromus (sensu lato) are widely distributed in Africa, south of the Saharan Desert. The 17 currently recognized species in the genus range from widespread taxa to single-mountain endemics, and there is considerable variation across species with respect to habitats occupied. These habitats range from arid grasslands and savannahs to sub-alpine and alpine vegetation. Using the most comprehensive geographic and genetic survey to date and after reviewing many type specimens, we assess the systematics and biogeography of Dendromus. Given the structure of our molecular phylogenetic hypotheses, in which we recover six major clades, we propose the recognition of three genera within the Dendromus group (sensu lato): in addition to Dendromus (26 lineages), we suggest the retention of Megadendromus (monotypic) and the resurrection of the genus Poemys (six lineages). From our model-based molecular phylogenetic results and morphological comparisons, we suggest that six formerly synonymized taxa should be resurrected, and we highlight 14 previously undescribed lineages. We also constructed time-calibrations on our phylogeny, and performed ancestral area reconstructions using BioGeoBEARS. Based on fossil evidence, Dendromus appears to have had a widespread African distribution dating back to the Late Miocene (8–10 Ma), and our basal ancestral area reconstruction (Ethiopians Highlands + Eastern African Mountains + Zambezian region) supports this. Divergence of the six major clades we recover (Poemys, Megadendromus and four within Dendromus) occurred prior to or at the Miocene-Pliocene boundary 5.3 Ma. Biogeographically, Megadendromus is restricted to the Ethiopian Highlands. The ancestral area for Poemys is reconstructed as the Zambezian region, with species distributions ranging from South Africa to Western Africa. The ancestral area for Dendromus is reconstructed as the Ethiopian Highlands, with the ancestral areas of the four major clades being reconstructed as Ethiopian Highlands, Albertine Rift, South Africa or Western Africa. None of the four Dendromus clades are reciprocally monophyletic with respect to distributional area.

 

Keywords: Africa, Climbing mice, Dendromus, Dispersal, Phylogeny, Vicariance

 G. Voelker, J.W. Huntley, J. Bryja, C. Denys, R. Šumbera, T.C. Demos, L. Lavrenchenko, V. Nicolas, T.P. Gnoske and J.C. Kerbis Peterhans. 2021. Molecular Systematics and Biogeographic History of the African Climbing-mouse Complex (Dendromus). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 161, 107166. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107166 

    

[Mammalogy • 2021] Myotis nimbaensis • A New Dichromatic Species of Myotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from the Nimba Mountains, Guinea

Myotis nimbaensis

 Simmons, Flanders, Fils, Parker, Suter, Bamba, Douno, Keita, Morales & Frick, 2021

Nimba Myotis ||  digitallibrary.AMNH.org

Abstract
The genus Myotis is a diverse group of vespertilionid bats found on nearly every continent. One clade in this group, the subgenus Chrysopteron, is characterized by reddish to yellowish fur and, in some cases, visually striking dichromatic wing pigmentation. Here, we describe a new dichromatic species of Myotis (Chrysopteron) from the Nimba Mountains in Guinea. The new species is superficially similar to Myotis welwitschii, but phylogenetic analyses based on cytochrome b data indicated that it is actually more closely related to M. tricolor. Discovery of this new taxon increases the number of Myotis species known from mainland Africa to 11 species, although patterns of molecular divergence suggest that cryptic species in the Chrysopteron clade remain to be described. This discovery also highlights the critical importance of the Nimba Mountains as a center of bat diversity and endemism in sub-Saharan Africa.

SYSTEMATICS 

Family Vespertilionidae Gray, 1821 

Subfamily Myotinae Tate 1942 

Genus Myotis Kaup, 1829 

Subgenus Chrysopteron Jentink, 1910 

Myotis nimbaensis, new species 

Nimba Myotis

Etymology: Myotis nimbaensis (“from Nimba”) is named in recognition of the mountain range in which it was discovered. As an epithet referring to a place, nimbaensis is spelled the same way whether applied in combination with either a masculine or a feminine genus name. Woodman (1993) argued that Myotis should be considered feminine in gender, but Pritchard (1994) disagreed. Both of these authors overlooked a 1958 ruling by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature that fixed the gender of Myotis as masculine and placed the name as such on the Official List of Generic Names in Zoology (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, 1958). So in this case, nimbaensis is masculine. 

Distribution: Known only from the type locality and vicinity in the Guinean Nimba Mountains. 

 Nancy B. Simmons, Jon Flanders, Eric Moïse Bakwo Fils, Guy Parker, Jamison D. Suter, Seinan Bamba, Mory Douno, Mamady Kobele Keita, Ariadna E. Morales and Winifred F. Frick. 2021. A New Dichromatic Species of Myotis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from the Nimba Mountains, Guinea. American Museum Novitates. 3963.  digitallibrary.AMNH.org/handle/2246/7249

 amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/research-posts/bat-west-africa

 phys.org/news/2021-01-scientists-spectacular-west-africa.html

 eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/amon-sdn011321.php

[Mammalogy • 2020] Integrative Taxonomy and Phylogeography of Colomys and Nilopegamys (Rodentia: Muridae), Semi-aquatic Mice of Africa, with Descriptions of Two New Species

 Colomys lumumbai 

Giarla, Demos, Monadjem, Hutterer, Dalton, et al., 2020. 

 DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa108

 

Abstract

The semi-aquatic African murine genera Colomys and Nilopegamys are considered monotypic and thought to be closely related to one another. Colomys occurs across forested regions of equatorial Africa, whereas Nilopegamys is known only from the Ethiopian holotype, making it among the rarest mammalian genera in the world – and possibly extinct. Using morphological and genetic data, we reassess the taxonomy of Colomys and Nilopegamys. A multilocus phylogeny with outgroups demonstrates that Nilopegamys is sister to Colomys. In addition, we recognize at least four morphologically diagnosable and genetically distinct species within Colomys: C. eisentrauti (elevated from subspecies and restricted to north-west Cameroon), C. goslingi (with a more restricted range than previously reported) and two new species (one from Liberia and Guinea and one from central and southern Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola). We also review the status of four other taxa currently recognized within Colomys goslingi (bicolor, denti, goslingi and ruandensis) and demonstrate that these names lack phylogenetic and/or morphological support. Finally, we discuss potential biogeographic barriers that may have played a role in the evolution of Colomys and Nilopegamys, emphasizing the importance of rivers in both facilitating and, possibly, limiting dispersal within these genera.

antique DNA, morphometrics, phylogenetics, rivers, species delimitation, sub-Saharan Africa, systematic

 Colomys lumumbai, wading in a stream to hunt.

Illustration: Velizar Simeonovski, Field Museum 

Thomas C. Giarla, Terrence C. Demos, Ara Monadjem, Rainer Hutterer, Desiré Dalton, Mnqobi L. Mamba, Emily A. Roff, Frank M. Mosher, Václav Mikeš, Christopher P. Kofron and Julian C. Kerbis Peterhans. 2020. Integrative Taxonomy and Phylogeography of Colomys and Nilopegamys (Rodentia: Murinae), Semi-aquatic Mice of Africa, with Descriptions of Two New Species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlaa108. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa108

New species of aquatic mice discovered, cousins of one of the world's rarest mammals

phys.org/news/2020-10-species-aquatic-mice-cousins-world.html

[Fungi • 2020] Hysterangium bonobo • A Newly Described Truffle Species (Basidiomycota: Agaricomycetes) that is eaten by Bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Hysterangium bonobo M.E. Sm. & T.F. Elliott

in Elliott, Georgiev, Lokasola & Smith, 2020.

  DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2020.1790234  

 

ABSTRACT

Many animals have been shown to eat fungi and most truffle-like fungi depend on animals for spore dispersal via mycophagy. Although these interactions are widespread, they are understudied in many habitats. In this study, we show that bonobos (Pan paniscus) forage and feed on an undescribed truffle species in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Based on morphological and molecular assessment of collections, we show that the species eaten by bonobos is a previously undescribed taxon described here as Hysterangium bonobo. This species is known in the local Bantu language (Bongando) as simbokilo and is used for baiting traps to catch several species of small mammals. Our findings highlight the need for further research into mycophagy and systematics of sequestrate fungi in Africa.

KEYWORDS: African fungi, Hysterangiales, Phallomycetidae, primate mycophagy, truffle taxonomy, 1 new taxon

the holotype collection of Hysterangium bonobo collected in a bonobo foraging site after bonobos had recently been feeding. 
 Broken fruiting body revealing brown gleba and columella at the center.

Hysterangium bonobo M.E. Sm. & T.F. Elliott, sp. nov.

Etymology: bonobo, in reference to the common name of the primate Pan paniscus, which digs and eats this fungus.

Todd F. Elliott, Alexander V. Georgiev, Albert Lotana Lokasola and Matthew E. Smith. 2020. Hysterangium bonobo: A Newly Described Truffle Species that is eaten by Bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Mycologia.  DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2020.1790234  

Scientists identify new species of crystal-encrusted truffle, thanks to bonobos

phys.org/news/2020-09-scientists-species-crystal-encrusted-truffle-bonobos.html

floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/scientists-identify-new-species-of-truffle-thanks-to-bonobos 

[Mammalogy • 2020] A Revision of Pipistrelle-like Bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in East Africa with the Description of New Genera and Species {Genera: Neoromicia, Laephotis, Pseudoromicia & Afronycteris}

Pseudoromicia nyanza Monadjem, Patterson, Webala & Demos  

in Monadjem, Demos, Dalton, Webala, ... et Patterson, 2020. 

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa087 

 twitter.com/Paul_Webala

Abstract

Vespertilionidae (class Mammalia) constitutes the largest family of bats, with ~500 described species. Nonetheless, the systematic relationships within this family are poorly known, especially among the pipistrelle-like bats of the tribes Vespertilionini and Pipistrellini. Perhaps as a result of their drab pelage and lack of obvious morphological characters, the genus and species limits of pipistrelle-like bats remain poorly resolved, particularly in Africa, where more than one-fifth of all vesper bat species occur. Further exacerbating the problem is the accelerating description of new species within these groups. In this study, we attempt to resolve the systematic relationships among the pipistrelle-like bats of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar and provide a more stable framework for future systematic efforts. Our systematic inferences are based on extensive genetic and morphological sampling of > 400 individuals covering all named genera and the majority of described African pipistrelle-like bat species, focusing on previously unstudied samples of East African bats. Our study corroborates previous work by identifying three African genera in Pipistrellini (Pipistrellus, Scotoecus and Vansonia), none of which is endemic to Africa. However, the situation is more complex in Vespertilionini. With broad taxonomic sampling, we confirm that the genus Neoromicia is paraphyletic, a situation that we resolve by assigning the species of Neoromicia to four genera. Neoromicia is here restricted to Neoromicia zuluensis and allied taxa. Some erstwhile Neoromicia species are transferred into an expanded Laephotis, which now includes both long-eared and short-eared forms. We also erect two new genera, one comprising a group of mostly forest-associated species (many of which have white wings) and the other for the genetically and morphologically unique banana bat. All four of these genera, as recognized here, are genetically distinct, have distinctive bacular morphologies and can be grouped by cranial morphometrics. We also demonstrate that the genus Nycticeinops, until now considered monospecific, includes both Afropipistrellus and the recently named Parahypsugo, thus representing the fifth African genus in Vespertilionini. A sixth genus, Hypsugo, is mostly extra-limital to sub-Saharan Africa. Finally, we describe three new species of pipistrelle-like bats from Kenya and Uganda, uncovered during the course of systematic bat surveys in the region. Such surveys are greatly needed across tropical Africa to uncover further bat diversity.

Keywords: Africa, alpha taxonomy, genus revision, Mammalia, mitochondrial DNA, new genera, new species

Bacula of the four clades within formerly or traditionally recognized as Neoromicia:
 A, Laephotis kirinyaga (FMNH 234639); B, Neoromicia somalica (FMNH 215614); C, Pseudoromicia kityoi (FMNH 223211); and D, Afronycteris nana (DM 13013). Note the three-pronged tip in Neoromicia, the straight shaft with spatulate tip at an angle of 45° in Laephotis, the long, curved shaft with bilobed tip in Pseudoromicia and the deeply bilobed base and gently curved shaft in Afronycteris. Scale bars: 1 mm.

 

TAXONOMY 

Family Vespertilionidae Gray, 1821 

Tribe Vespertilionini Gray, 1821 

Neoromicia Roberts, 1926

Laephotis Thomas, 1901

Laephotis kirinyaga Monadjem, Patterson, Webala & Demos sp. nov. 

East African serotine 

Etymology: The specific epithet is a Kikuyu word for Mount Kenya and reflects the distribution of the species in the northern highlands of Kenya. It is a noun in apposition.

Pseudoromicia Monadjem, Patterson, Webala & Demos gen. nov.

Type species: Pseudoromicia tenuipinnis (Peters, 1872)

Included species: Pseudoromicia brunnea (Thomas, 1880); Pseudoromicia isabella (Decher, Hutterer & Monadjem, 2015); Pseudoromicia rendalli (Thomas, 1889); Pseudoromicia roseveari (Monadjem et al., 2013); Pseudoromicia tenuipinnis (Peters, 1872); and two newly described species (see below). 

Etymology: This feminine name is derived from the Greek prefix ψευδο-, false, and the genus Romicia Gray, 1838, in turn derived from the Ancient Greek word ρóμιξα, meaning a ‘kind of javelin or huntingspear’. It also hints at the genus Neoromicia, to which members of Pseudoromicia were previously assigned. Members of this new genus resemble and have in the past been confused with Neoromicia species.

Distribution: This genus is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. However, all but one of the species is associated with equatorial tropical forest and woodland belt. One species, Pse. rendalli, extends far into savanna habitats, ranging from 13°N to 28°S

Pseudoromicia kityoi Monadjem, Kerbis Peterhans, Nalikka, Waswa, Demos & Patterson sp. nov. 

Kityo’s serotine

Etymology: This species is named in honour of Dr. Robert M. Kityo, mammalogist, mentor and longserving curator at the Museum of Zoology, Makerere University, in recognition of his valuable contributions to bats and small mammal research in the region. His welcoming nature, curiosity, hospitality and support have facilitated numerous and diverse research agendas over the decades for both national and international researchers. 

Pseudoromicia nyanza (FMNH 215626), showing the distinctive white wings and under parts of this species.

Pseudoromicia nyanza Monadjem, Patterson, Webala & Demos sp. nov. 

Nyanza serotine

Etymology: This species is named after the region where it was found, Nyanza, which derives from the Bantu word for ‘large body of water’. Covering nearly 60 000 km2 , Lake Victoria surely qualifies. The name is used as a noun in apposition.

Afronycteris Monadjem, Patterson & Demos gen. nov.

Type species: Afronycteris nana (Peters, 1852).

 Included species: Afronycteris helios (Heller, 1912).

Etymology: From the Greek word νυχτερίδα, bat, and the prefix Afro- referring to the African continent, referring to the wide distribution of the type species A. nana. This species ranges, without obvious breaks in distribution, from Senegal in the west, east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa, being absent only from the more arid desert and semi-desert environments associated with the Sahara, Sahel and Chalbi Desert in the north and the Namib and Kalahari deserts in the south-west (Happold, 2013a).

Distribution: This genus is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, probably occurring in suitable habitats across its wide range. It occurs throughout the Upper Guinea rainforest zone, extending northward into Sudanian savanna, possibly extending into the Sahel along major rivers and wetlands (Happold, 2013a). It occurs throughout mesic portions of Central and East Africa, but records are sparser in the Horn of Africa (Lanza et al., 2015). It is widespread in the wetter parts of southern Africa, avoiding the dry southwestern region of South Africa, much of Botswana and Namibia (Monadjem et al., 2010).

Ara Monadjem, Terrence C. Demos, Desire L. Dalton, Paul W. Webala, Simon Musila, Julian C. Kerbis Peterhans and Bruce D. Patterson. 2020. A Revision of Pipistrelle-like Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in East Africa with the Description of New Genera and Species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlaa087. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa087

Penis bones, echolocation calls, and genes reveal new kinds of bats

 phys.org/news/2020-08-penis-bones-echolocation-genes-reveal.html

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Researchgate.net/publication/337913923_White_and_clear_wings_in_bats_Chiroptera