Insight into the Identity and Origin of Scotophilus borbonicus (E. Geoffroy, 1803)

摘要: The species delimitations of Scotophilus from the Afro-Malagasy Region remain unresolved. One most problematic named taxa is S. borbonicus, which was described based on specimens reputed to be La Reunion Island, western Indian Ocean. Only one two mentioned in description borbonicus sensu stricto has been located a museum collection and after considerable recent fieldwork Reunion, no captured. Given that name priority over other small forms, this led taxonomic ambiguity. We report here short mitochondrial sequence lectotype nested within individuals trujilloi captured Kenya Tanzania. These results are best interpreted as not obtained but along eastern coast Africa. propose means resolve potential problems, particularly concerning future research members genus, consider nomen dubium. If indeed genus molecular data obtained, question may new science need formal description.