Karyotypic variation of molossids Distribution and karyotypic variation of Brazilian molossids (Chiroptera, Mammalia) Distribución y variación cariotípica de molósidos brasileños (Chiroptera, Mammalia)

Distribution and karyotypic variation of Brazilian molossids

Abstract

Recent biogeographic studies have shown that geographically distant populations of different animal groups, including bats, can present genetic differentiation.  Given this, the objective here was to study the composition of Molossidae species that occur in Brazil and investigate whether these species present karyotypic differences between populations from different biomes.  A bibliographical survey was carried out, and the karyotypes found for each species were analyzed and compared in relation to the diploid number of chromosomes, the fundamental number of arms of the autosomal chromosomes, the centromeric position, and the presence of other structural chromosomal variations.  The results showed that of the 32 species of Molossidae recorded for Brazil, 14 have their karyotypes described.  Of these, only nine refer to specimens collected in Brazil.  For Molossus molossus, karyotypic variations were observed between the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest, and within the Amazon, in regions separated by the Amazon River.  Molossops temminckii showed variations among populations in the state of Minas Gerais.  Eumops perotis and Cynomops planirostris also showed differentiation between populations from the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest.  Molossus rufus showed variation between populations from the Atlantic Forest and Caatinga.  The variations observed were structural in autosomal and sexual chromosomes between different populations.  The species Cynomops abrasus, Eumops glaucinus, and Nyctinomops laticaudatus have studies only for the Atlantic Forest region, while Eumops hansae has karyotypic studies only for the Amazon region.  This study showed the existence of karyotypic variation between different populations of five species of molossids.  Furthermore, it highlighted the need for investment in knowledge of family karyology, which is scarce, with the aim of better understanding aspects of karyotypic evolution in this group.