Further comments strengthen evidence for Myotis evotis/keenii reflecting population substructure not species delineation.

Morales et al. (2021) provided no new evidence to alter the conclusions of Lausen et al. (2019). We present background information, relevant comparisons and clarification of analyses, to further strengthen our conclusions. The genesis of the original ‘evotis-keenii’ study in British Columbia was to differentiate Myotis keenii (Merriam, 1895) with one of the smallest North American bat distributions, from sympatric M. evotis (H. Allen, 1864), using something other than the suggested post-mortem skull size comparison, but no differentiating trait could be found, leading to the molecular genetics examination of Lausen et al. (2019). We present cumulative data that rejects the 1979 hypothesis of M. keenii as a distinct species. Morales et al.(2020) inaccurately portray Lausen et al.’s question and results; present inaccurate morphological and outdated distribution data; overstate the impact of homoplasy without supporting evidence; and misinterpret evidence of population structure.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Population genetics reveal Myotis keenii (Keen’s myotis) and Myotis evotis (long-eared myotis) to be a single species

Recognizing delineations of gene flow among groups of animals can be challenging, but necessary for conservation and management. Of particular importance is the identification of species boundaries. Several physical and genetic traits have been used with mixed success to distinguish Myotis keenii (Merriam, 1895) (Keenâ s myotis) and Myotis evotis (H. Allen, 1864) (long-eared myotis), but it is unclear whether species distinction is biologically warranted. We generated 12-14 microsatellite loci genotypes for 275 long-eared Myotis representing 4 species -- M. keenii, M. evotis, Myotis septentrionalis (Trouessart, 1897) (northern myotis), and Myotis thysanodes Miller, 1897 (fringed myotis) -- from across northwestern North America, and 23 Myotis lucifugus (Le Conte, 1831) (little brown myotis) as outgroup. Population genetics analyses revealed four well defined groups (species): M. septentrionalis, M. thysanodes, M. lucifugus and a single group comprising M. keenii and M. evotis. We document high rates of gene flow within M. evotis/keenii. Cytochrome b gene (mtDNA) sequencing failed to resolve morphologically identifiable species. We highlight the importance of geographically thorough investigation of genetic connectivity (nuclear markers) when assessing taxonomic status of closely related groups. We document a morphometric cline within M. evotis/keenii that may in part explain earlier analyses that led to the description of the smaller-bodied M. keenii (type locality Haida Gwaii). We conclude that M. keenii does not qualify as a genetic or biological species.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author