The Role of DNA Barcodes in Understanding and Conservation of Mammal Diversity in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is recognized as a region of very high biodiversity, much of which is currently at risk due to habitat loss and other threats. However, many aspects of this diversity, even for relatively well-known groups such as mammals, are poorly known, limiting ability to develop conservation plans. This study examines the value of DNA barcodes, sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene, to enhance understanding of mammalian diversity in the region and hence to aid conservation planning.DNA barcodes were obtained from nearly 1900 specimens representing 165 recognized species of bats. All morphologically or acoustically distinct species, based on classical taxonomy, could be discriminated with DNA barcodes except four closely allied species pairs. Many currently recognized species contained multiple barcode lineages, often with deep divergence suggesting unrecognized species. In addition, most widespread species showed substantial genetic differentiation across their distributions. Our results suggest that mammal species richness within the region may be underestimated by at least 50%, and there are higher levels of endemism and greater intra-specific population structure than previously recognized.DNA barcodes can aid conservation and research by assisting field workers in identifying species, by helping taxonomists determine species groups needing more detailed analysis, and by facilitating the recognition of the appropriate units and scales for conservation planning

A new species of bat of the Hipposideros bicolor group (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) from Central Laos, with evidence of convergent evolution with Sundaic taxa

Guillén-Servent, Antonio, Francis, Charles M. (2006): A new species of bat of the Hipposideros bicolor group (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) from Central Laos, with evidence of convergent evolution with Sundaic taxa. Acta Chiropterologica 8 (1): 39-61, DOI: 10.3161/1733-5329(2006)8[39:ansobo]2.0.co;

Distribution of nearest heterospecific neighbour distances by subfamily or family.

<p>Families with fewer than 5 species represented (Miniopteridae, Megadermidae, Nycteridae, Emballonuridae) are not shown.</p

Distribution of nearest neighbour distances among genetically distinct clusters of individuals within species.

<p>Results are presented separately for each subfamily or family. The group “other Chiroptera” includes species in the families Miniopteridae, Megadermatidae, Nycteridae and Emballonuridae.</p

Distribution of nearest neighbour distances between members of the “same” species from disjunct geographic areas.

<p>The comparisons include 21 species from both peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, and 13 species from Malaysia (11 from Peninsular Malaysia and two from Borneo) and Indochina.</p

Neighbour-joining tree for bats in the subfamilies Kerivoulinae and Murininae of the family Vespertilionidae.

<p>Solid triangles represent clusters of multiple specimens, with the vertical dimension proportional to the number of specimens (shown as n = ), and the horizontal depth proportional to the genetic variation within that cluster. Red indicates taxa with deep intra-specific divides that potentially represent distinct species. Numbers below joining branches indicated the level of bootstrap support for the branch — dotted lines indicate branching orders that were not strongly resolved (bootstrap support less than 70%).</p

Distribution of collecting localities for the 1896 specimens analysed in this study.

<p>The majority of specimens came from Vietnam (665), Laos (561), southern China (279) and Malaysia (221) with smaller numbers from other countries. Map generated using the Online Map Creation Tool (<a href="http://www.aquarius.geomar.de/omc/" target="_blank">http://www.aquarius.geomar.de/omc/</a>)</p

Neighbour-joining tree for bats in the families Pteropodidae, Miniopteridae, Megadermatidae, Nycteridae and Emballonuridae.

<p>Solid triangles represent clusters of multiple specimens, with the vertical dimension proportional to the number of specimens (shown as n = ), and the horizontal depth proportional to the genetic variation within that cluster. Blue indicates clusters of specimens that include more than one species that could not be resolved. Red indicates taxa with deep intra-specific divides that potentially represent distinct species. Numbers below joining branches indicated the level of bootstrap support for the branch — dotted lines indicate branching orders that were not strongly resolved (bootstrap support less than 70%).</p

City “Green” Contributions: The Role of Urban Greenspaces as Reservoirs for Biodiversity

Urbanization poses important environmental, social, and ecological pressures, representing a major threat to biodiversity. However, urban areas are highly heterogeneous, with some greenspaces (e.g., urban forests, parks, private gardens) providing resources and a refuge for wildlife communities. In this study we surveyed 10 taxonomic groups to assess their species richness and composition in six greenspaces that differ in size, location, management, and human activities. Species richness differed among taxonomic groups, but not all differed statistically among the studied greenspaces (i.e., sac fungi, bats). Plants, basidiomycetous and sac fungi, and birds showed intermediate assemblage composition similarity (&lt;54%). The composition of assemblages of copro-necrophagous beetles, grasshoppers, amphibians, and bats was related to the specific traits of greenspaces, mainly size and location. The species richness contribution of each greenspace considering all studied taxonomic groups was highest in the largest greenspace that is located at the southeastern border of the city, while the lowest contribution was recorded in the smallest ones, all of them closer to the city’s center. Our results shed some light on the way in which different taxonomic groups respond to an array of neotropical urban greenspaces, providing an important basis for future studies