Search

Bat flies (Diptera: Nycteribiidae and Streblidae) are hematophagous ectoparasites of bats characterized by viviparous pupiparity and generally high host specificity. Nycteribiid bat flies are wingless, morphologically constrained, and are most diverse in the Eastern Hemisphere. Africa hosts approximately 22% of global bat biodiversity and nearly one-third of all African bat species occur in Kenya, one of Africa's most bat-rich countries. However, records of nycteribiid bat fly diversity in Kenya remain sparse and unconsolidated. This paper combines all past species records of nycteribiid bat flies with records from a survey of 4,255 Kenyan bats across 157 localities between 2006 and 2015. A total of seven nycteribiid genera and 17 species are recorded, with seven species from the recent 'Bats of Kenya' surveys representing previously undocumented country records. Host associations and geographic distributions based on all available records are also described. This comprehensive species catalog addresses and further emphasizes the need for similar investigations of nycteribiid biodiversity across Africa.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PARATRIAENOPS The strong genetic differentiation of Paratriaenops and Triaenops evident in our concatenated intron and species tree analyses (Fig. 4; Supporting Information, Fig. S2) reinforces earlier distinctions of these taxa based on mitochondrial evidence (Russell et al., 2007, 2008) and on morphology (Benda & Vallo, 2009). Foley et al. (2015) dated the divergence of these taxa at 22 Mya; that analysis recovered both Rhinonycteris and Cloeotis in successive splits off the lineage leading to Triaenops. The paraphyly of Malagasy rhinonycterids clearly supports the conclusion of Russell et al. (2008) that Madagascar was colonized at least twice in the history of this group. However, this interpretation hinges on the phylogenetic positions of Rhinonycteris and Cloeotis, which were not included in our analysis. A sister relationship of Paratriaenops + Triaenops, given the well-supported position of T. menamena as sister to African plus Arabian Triaenops, could indicate that only one colonization of Madagascar was involved. In this scenario, a descendent of T. menamena could have colonized the African mainland and given rise to the clade of T. afer, T. persicus and T. parvus. Additional genetic sampling of Cloeotis, Rhinonicteris and the missing Triaenops species might help to distinguish these alternatives, but it seems likely that extinction has strongly shaped the extant diversity of the group. Genetic and distributional data provide mixed support for the validity of P. auritus and P. furcula as separate species. Previous morphological analyses of specimens assigned to these two taxa found consistent differences (Ranivo & Goodman, 2006). The Cytb genetic distance between these species (4.5%; Table 1) and the well-supported monophyly of P. auritus and moderately supported monophyly of P. furcula (Fig. 2) could be argued to support their current taxonomic status (also see Russell et al., 2008). In stark opposition, gene tree analyses of four independent nuclear loci under both ML and BI models did not recover any genetic structure within or between the two species (Fig. 4). Instead, the relationships inferred between P. auritus and P. furcula are consistent with extensive ongoing or recent hybridization. The allopatric distributions of these species do not provide any support for their reproductive isolation. Additionally, mitochondrial isolation by distance cannot be ruled out as the mechanism responsible for the genetic distance and topological relationship between populations assigned to P. auritus and P. furcula in our genetic analyses. Before the step is taken to combine these species, for which P. auritus would be the junior synonym, further genetic sampling is needed. In the material used in the present study, the northernmost locality for P. furcula (Namoroka, FMNH 175783) is ~ 330 km south of the southernmost locality for P. auritus (Betsiaka, FMNH 179370���179373); additional data are needed from the intervening zone to determine the nature and level of genetic separation between these forms., Published as part of Rossoni, Daniela M, Demos, Terrence C, Goodman, Steven M, Yego, Richard K, Mohlman, Jessica L, Webala, Paul W & Patterson, Bruce D, 2021, Genetic, morphological and acoustic differentiation of African trident bats (Rhinonycteridae: Triaenops), pp. 236 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 192 (1) on page 236, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa098, http://zenodo.org/record/5301043, {"references":["Russell AL, Ranivo J, Palkovacs EP, Goodman SM, Yoder AD. 2007. Working at the interface of phylogenetics and population genetics: a biogeographical analysis of Triaenops spp. (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae). Molecular Ecology 16: 839 - 851.","Russell AL, Goodman SM, Cox MP. 2008. Coalescent analyses support multiple mainland-to-island dispersals in the evolution of Malagasy Triaenops bats (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae). Journal of Biogeography 35: 995 - 1003.","Benda P, Vallo P. 2009. Taxonomic revision of the genus Triaenops (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) with description of a new species from southern Arabia and definitions of a new genus and tribe. Folia Zoologica 58: 1 - 45.","Foley NM, Thong VD, Soisook P, Goodman SM, Armstrong KN, Jacobs DS, Puechmaille SJ, Teeling EC. 2015. How and why overcome the impediments to resolution: lessons from rhinolophid and hipposiderid bats. Molecular Biology and Evolution 32: 313 - 333.","Ranivo J, Goodman SM. 2006. Revision taxinomique des Triaenops malgaches (Mammalia, Chiroptera, Hipposideridae). Zoosystema 28: 963 - 985."]}

Non

Despite being nearly 10 months into the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, the definitive animal host for SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), the causal agent of COVID-19, remains unknown. Unfortunately, similar problems exist for other betacoronaviruses, and no vouchered specimens exist to corroborate host species identification for most of these pathogens. This most basic information is critical to the full understanding and mitigation of emerging zoonotic diseases. To overcome this hurdle, we recommend that host-pathogen researchers adopt vouchering practices and collaborate with natural history collections to permanently archive microbiological samples and host specimens. Vouchered specimens and associated samples provide both repeatability and extension to host-pathogen studies, and using them mobilizes a large workforce (i.e., biodiversity scientists) to assist in pandemic preparedness. We review several well-known examples that successfully integrate host-pathogen research with natural history collections (e.g., yellow fever, hantaviruses, helminths). However, vouchering remains an underutilized practice in such studies. Using an online survey, we assessed vouchering practices used by microbiologists (e.g., bacteriologists, parasitologists, virologists) in host-pathogen research. A much greater number of respondents permanently archive microbiological samples than archive host specimens, and less than half of respondents voucher host specimens from which microbiological samples were lethally collected. To foster collaborations between microbiologists and natural history collections, we provide recommendations for integrating vouchering techniques and archiving of microbiological samples into host-pathogen studies. This integrative approach exemplifies the premise underlying One Health initiatives, providing critical infrastructure for

PSEUDOROMICIA MONADJEM, PATTERSON, WEBALA & DEMOS GEN.NOV. LSID: http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub: 71737F08-2938-4403-8385-5438B2E5EABE Synonymy Vesperus Peters 1872 (part, not Keyserling & Blasius, 1839). Vesperugo Dobson 1878 (part, not Keyserling & Blasius, 1839). Eptesicus Matschie, 1897 (part, not Rafinesque,1820). Vespertilio Miller, 1900 (part, not Linnaeus, 1758). Pipistrellus Monard, 1935 (part, not Kaup, 1829). Nycterikaupius (part, not Menu, 1987). Neoromicia Kearney et al., 2002 (part, not Roberts, 1926). Complete synonymic histories for the species placed herein in Pseudoromicia are given in the African Chiroptera report (AfricanBats NPC, 2019). 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. Diagnosis: T h e s e a r e s m a l l t o m e d i u m - s i z e d vespertilionids with a simple muzzle. The tragus is typically curved anteriorly, with a notch at the base of the posterior margin. The pelage of the upper and under parts is variably coloured, but in most species tends to be unicoloured dorsally and bicoloured ventrally. In contrast, dorsal pelage is bicoloured in Afronycteris, Laephotis and Neoromicia. Four of the seven species in this genus have translucent white wing membranes, whereas membranes are dark brown or blackish in colour in the remaining three species. The cranium is slightly inflated to relatively flattish in lateral profile; in contrast, it is highly inflated in Afronycteris and moderately inflated in Neoromicia s.s., whereas it is flattened in Laephotis. The outer incisors are usually half the length or less of the inner incisors, the latter being weakly bicuspid or unicuspid. The P 1 is absent, contrasting with Afronycteris, in which it is present and relatively large. The baculum (~3.0 mm in length) is distinctly longer than that of any of the other three genera previously included in Neoromicia, with a robust trilobed base and strongly arched shaft leading to a bilobed tip (Fig. 5C). 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. Systematic relationships: The genera Pseudoromicia and Afronycteris are sister to the genera Laephotis and Neoromicia as now understood (see below)., Published as part of Monadjem, Ara, Demos, Terrence C, Dalton, Desire L, Webala, Paul W, Musila, Simon, Kerbis Peterhans, Julian C & Patterson, Bruce D, 2020, A revision of pipistrelle-like bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in East Africa with the description of new genera and species, pp. 1-33 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society (Zool. J. Linn. Soc.) (Zool. J. Linn. Soc.) 190 on pages 19-20, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa087, http://zenodo.org/record/4451420, {"references":["Roberts A. 1926. Some new S. African mammals and some changes in nomenclature. Annals of the Transvaal Museum 11: 245 - 263.","AfricanBats NPC. 2019. African Chiroptera report 2019. Pretoria: AfricanBats NPC. Available at: https: // africanbats. org / publication / african-chiroptera-report- 2019 /","Decher J, Hoffmann A, Schaer J, Norris RW, Kadjo B, Astrin J, Monadjem A, Hutterer R. 2015. Bat diversity in the Simandou Mountain Range of Guinea, with the description of a new white-winged vespertilionid. Acta Chiropterologica 17: 255 - 282.","Monadjem A, Richards L, Taylor PJ, Stoffberg S. 2013. High diversity of pipistrelloid bats (Vespertilionidae: Hypsugo, Neoromicia, and Pipistrellus) in a West African rainforest with the description of a new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 167: 191 - 207."]}

AFRONYCTERIS MONADJEM, PATTERSON & DEMOS GEN . NOV. LSID: http://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub: 71737F08-2938-4403-8385-5438B2E5EABE Synonymy Vespertilio Peters, 1852 (part, not Linnaeus, 1758). Hypsugo Kolenati, 1860 (part, not Kolenati, 1856). Vesperugo Dobson, 1875 (part, not Keyserling & Blasius, 1839). Pipistrellus Miller, 1900 (part, not Kaup, 1829). Myotis Matschie, 1907 (part, not Kaup, 1829). Neoromicia Shortridge, 1934 (part, not Roberts, 1926). Eptesicops Roberts, 1951 (part, not Roberts, 1926). Complete synonymic histories for the species placed herein in Afronycteris are given in the African Chiroptera report (AfricanBats NPC, 2019). as Neo. tenuipinnis). However, its distribution beyond western Kenya is not known. It seems to be associated with the high plateau of western Kenya, which extends into eastern Uganda; presumably, it also occurs there. Thorn & Kerbis Peterhans (2009) recorded ‘ Pipistrellus tenuipinnis ’ as occurring widely in Uganda. The cranial measurements of specimens from Budongo, Entebbe and Sango Bay (at elevations similar to those we report from Kenya) all fall neatly within the range of Pse. nyanza and are generally larger than those for Pse. tenuipinnis. It would be instructive to re-examine these specimens (in the collections of the BMNH and LACM) to confirm their identities and help to determine the western limits of the distribution of Pse. nyanza. However, records from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo apparently refer to true Pse. tenuipinnis, owing to their small size, with total length ‘about 72 mm’ (Allen et al., 1917). We speculate that, despite the limited geographical range of Pse. nyanza (even if Uganda is included), this species is currently not threatened because it survives in human-altered habitats, and therefore we recommend the IUCN conservation status of ‘Least Concern’. The type specimen echolocated at a peak frequency (start and end frequencies) of 40.4 kHz (56.4–39.3 kHz). The mean (± SD) peak frequency for 16 individuals at the type locality was 40.4 ± 0.84 kHz (55.1 ± 7.91 to 39.5 ± 0.68 kHz). 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). Diagnosis: Small-sized vespertilionids with the simple muzzle characteristic of this family. The cranium in lateral view is distinctly inflated, more so than any other member of the tribe Vespertilionini. The tragus is characteristically hatchet shaped, with the posterior margin having an abrupt angle and lacking a notch at its base, as illustrated by Van Cakenberghe & Happold (2013). The tragi of Laephotis, Neoromicia and Pseudoromicia all have a notch at the base of the posterior margin. The pelage of the upper and under parts is bicoloured, with the basal portion of each hair darker than the terminal portion. There is a distinct thumbpad at the base of the thumb, thought to be useful in climbing on smooth leaves. The outer incisor I 2 is well developed, reaching almost the same length as the I 1, the latter being slightly bicuspid or unicuspid; in Laephotis, Neoromicia and Pseudoromicia, I 2 is typically half the length of I 1 or shorter. The P 1 is present and relatively large, whereas this tooth is absent in Laephotis, Neoromicia (except Neo. bemainty and Neo. anchietae) and Pseudoromicia. The baculum (~2.0 mm in length) is shorter than in Pseudoromicia and similar in length to that of Laephotis and Neoromicia. It has a distinctly and deeply bilobed base and a gently curved shaft leading to a spatulate tip (Fig. 5D). 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). Systematic relationships: Afronycteris is sister to Pseudoromicia, but the two genera can be distinguished easily by external characteristics, cranial features and the shape of the baculum (see ‘Diagnosis’ above for details)., Published as part of Monadjem, Ara, Demos, Terrence C, Dalton, Desire L, Webala, Paul W, Musila, Simon, Kerbis Peterhans, Julian C & Patterson, Bruce D, 2020, A revision of pipistrelle-like bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in East Africa with the description of new genera and species, pp. 1-33 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society (Zool. J. Linn. Soc.) (Zool. J. Linn. Soc.) 190 on pages 25-26, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa087, http://zenodo.org/record/4451420, {"references":["Roberts A. 1926. Some new S. African mammals and some changes in nomenclature. Annals of the Transvaal Museum 11: 245 - 263.","AfricanBats NPC. 2019. African Chiroptera report 2019. Pretoria: AfricanBats NPC. Available at: https: // africanbats. org / publication / african-chiroptera-report- 2019 /","Thorn E, Kerbis Peterhans J. 2009. Small mammals of Uganda: bats, shrews, hedghog, golden-moles, ottertenrec, elephant-shrews, and hares. Bonner Zoologische Monographien 55: 1 - 164.","Allen JA, Lang H, Chapin JP. 1917. The American Museum Congo Expedition collection of bats. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 37: 405 - 563.","Happold M. 2013 a. Pipistrellus nanus. Banana pipistrelle (banana bat). In: Happold M, Happold D, eds. The mammals of Africa. Volume IV: hedgehogs, shrews and bats. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 639 - 642.","Van Cakenberghe V, Happold M. 2013. Genus Pipistrellus. Pipistrelles. In: Happold M, Happold DCD, eds. The mammals of Africa. Volume IV: hedgehogs, shrews and bats. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 600 - 604.","Lanza B, Funaioli U, Riccucci M. 2015. The bats of Somalia and neighbouring areas. Frankfurt am Main: Chimaira.","Monadjem A, Taylor PJ, Cotterill FPD, Schoeman MC. 2010. Bats of southern and central Africa: a biogeographic and taxonomic synthesis. Johannesburg: University of the Witwatersrand Press."]}

LAEPHOTIS THOMAS, 1901 Synonymy Vespertilio A. Smith, 1829 (part, not Linnaeus, 1758). Hypsugo Kolenati, 1860 (part, not Kolenati, 1856). Scotophilus Thomas, 1861 (part, not Leach, 1821). Vesperugo Dobson, 1878 (part, not Keyserling & Blasius, 1839). Vesperus Jentink, 1887 (part, not Keyserling & Blasius, 1839). Eptesicus Matschie, 1897 (part, not Rafinesque,1820). Scabrifer G.M. Allen, 1908. Rhinopterus G.M. Allen, 1939 (part, not Miller, 1906). Pipistrellus Heller & Volleth, 1984 (part, not Kaup, 1829). Nycterikaupius (part, not Menu, 1987). Neoromicia Volleth et al., 2001 (part, not Roberts, 1926). Complete synonymic histories for the species of Laephotis are given in the African Chiroptera report (AfricanBats NPC, 2019). Description: This genus was originally created for the species Laephotis wintoni Thomas, 1901, with the name referring to the large ‘sail-like’ ears of that species. A second, closely related species with large ears was described a quarter of a century later, Lae. angolensis Monard 1935, and two more species by Setzer in 1971: Lae. botswanae and Lae. namibensis. The baculum (1.5–2.0 mm in length) of Laephotis as defined herein is shorter than in Pseudoromicia and similar in length to that of Neoromicia and Afronycteris. It has a characteristic shape, with a bilobed base, straight shaft and a spatulate tip that is at an angle of ~45° to the shaft (Fig. 5A). Based on our genetic and morphometric analyses presented above, we have expanded further this genus to include the following species: Lae. capensis (A. Smith, 1829), Lae. matroka (Thomas & Schwann, 1905), Lae. robertsi (Goodman et al., 2012), Lae. malagasyensis (Peterson et al., 1995) and Lae. stanleyi (Goodman et al., 2017). Laephotis is readily distinguished by its bacular morphology (Hill & Harrison, 1987). It is easily separated from Afronycteris based on external features (for details, see the account of Afronycteris). This genus may also be distinguished from Neoromicia by its larger size. Furthermore, the cranium is more robust in Laephotis and obviously flattened compared with Neoromicia and Pseudoromicia. Laephotis also lacks the white wings of Pseudoromicia and is mostly associated with arid savannas and grasslands. Of the nine species that we recognize in this genus, all except the one we describe here are restricted to eastern and southern Africa and Madagascar, and none is associated with rainforests of tropical Africa., Published as part of Monadjem, Ara, Demos, Terrence C, Dalton, Desire L, Webala, Paul W, Musila, Simon, Kerbis Peterhans, Julian C & Patterson, Bruce D, 2020, A revision of pipistrelle-like bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in East Africa with the description of new genera and species, pp. 1-33 in Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society (Zool. J. Linn. Soc.) (Zool. J. Linn. Soc.) 190 on pages 14-15, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa087, http://zenodo.org/record/4451420, {"references":["Roberts A. 1926. Some new S. African mammals and some changes in nomenclature. Annals of the Transvaal Museum 11: 245 - 263.","AfricanBats NPC. 2019. African Chiroptera report 2019. Pretoria: AfricanBats NPC. Available at: https: // africanbats. org / publication / african-chiroptera-report- 2019 /","Goodman SM, Taylor PJ, Ratrimomanarivo F, Hoofer SR. 2012. The genus Neoromicia (Family Vespertilionidae) in Madagascar, with the description of a new species. Zootaxa 3250: 1 - 25.","Goodman SM, Kearney T, Ratsimbazafy MM, Hassanin A. 2017. Description of a new species of Neoromicia (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from southern Africa: a name for ' N. cf. melckorum '. Zootaxa 4236: 351 - 374.","Hill JE, Harrison DL. 1987. The baculum in the Vespertilioninae (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with a systematic review, a synopsis of Pipistrellus and Eptesicus, and the description of a new genus and subgenus. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History): Zoology 52: 225 - 305."]}