The comparative phylogeography of fruit bats of the tribe Scotonycterini (Chiroptera, Pteropodidae) reveals cryptic species diversity related to African Pleistocene forest refugia

摘要: The hypothesis of Pleistocene forest refugia was tested using comparative phylogeography Scotonycterini, a fruit bat tribe endemic to Africa containing four species: Scotonycteris zenkeri, Casinycteris argynnis, C. campomaanensis, and ophiodon. Patterns genetic structure were assessed 105 Scotonycterini (including material from three holotypes) collected at 37 localities, DNA sequences the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (1140 nt) 12 nuclear introns (9641 nt). Phylogenetic trees molecular dating inferred by Bayesian methods. Multilocus analyses performed supermatrix, SuperTRI, *BEAST approaches. Mitochondrial reveal strong phylogeographical in Scotonycteris, with divergent haplogroups (4.9-8.7%), Upper Guinea, Cameroon, western Equatorial Africa, eastern Democratic Republic Congo (DRC). In we identify two mtDNA corresponding (1.4-2.1%). ophiodon, haplotypes Cameroon Ivory Coast differ only 1.3%. Nuclear confirm validity recently described campomaanensis indicate that populations argynnis are not fully isolated. All clusters detected found be monophyletic based on dataset, except DRC. tree, clade is closely related individuals DRC, whereas tree it appears sister-group clade. Migrate-n support flow Molecular indicates have played an important role shaping evolution phases allopatric speciation approximately 2.7 1.6 Mya, resulting isolation main areas Africa. Two cryptic species subspecies herein genus Scotonycteris. Female philopatry male biased dispersal supported for smallest taxa, i.e., argynnis. Congo, Ntem, Sanaga rivers identified as biogeographic barriers during interglacial periods. A greater capacity long-distance largest species,