Electrophoretic Resolution of Species Boundaries in Australian Microchiroptera. III. The Nycticeiini?Scotorepens and Scoteanax (Chiroptera : Vespertilionidae)

Abstract

Two hundred and sixty two specimens of bats of the tribe Nycticeiini were sampled from throughout Australia, and their tissues subjected to aliozyme electrophoresis with a view towards delineating species boundaries. A total of 30 loci were resolved, detailed analysis of which revealed five species - greyii, sanborni, balstoni, orion and rueppellii. The specific boundaries recognized differ from ali previous treatments of Australian members, but are supported by the taxonomic arrangement proposed by Kitchener and Caputi (1985). The data also support separate generic recognition of rueppe/lii. Finally, the genetic data reveal a high level of population sub structuring in these bats.