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Mello B, Schrago CG. Modeling Substitution Rate Evolution across Lineages and Relaxing the Molecular Clock. Genome Biol Evol 2024; 16:evae199. [PMID: 39332907 PMCID: PMC11430275 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evae199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Relaxing the molecular clock using models of how substitution rates change across lineages has become essential for addressing evolutionary problems. The diversity of rate evolution models and their implementations are substantial, and studies have demonstrated their impact on divergence time estimates can be as significant as that of calibration information. In this review, we trace the development of rate evolution models from the proposal of the molecular clock concept to the development of sophisticated Bayesian and non-Bayesian methods that handle rate variation in phylogenies. We discuss the various approaches to modeling rate evolution, provide a comprehensive list of available software, and examine the challenges and advancements of the prevalent Bayesian framework, contrasting them to faster non-Bayesian methods. Lastly, we offer insights into potential advancements in the field in the era of big data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Mello
- Department of Genetics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-617, Brazil
| | - Carlos G Schrago
- Department of Genetics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-617, Brazil
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Broggini C, Cavallini M, Vanetti I, Abell J, Binelli G, Lombardo G. From Caves to the Savannah, the Mitogenome History of Modern Lions ( Panthera leo) and Their Ancestors. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5193. [PMID: 38791233 PMCID: PMC11121052 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Lions (Panthera leo) play a crucial ecological role in shaping and maintaining fragile ecosystems within Africa. Conservation efforts should focus on genetic variability within wild populations when considering reintroduction attempts. We studied two groups of lions from two conservation sites located in Zambia and Zimbabwe to determine their genetic make-up, information that is usually unknown to the sites. In this study, we analysed 17 specimens for cytb and seven microsatellite markers to ascertain family relationships and genetic diversity previously obtained by observational studies. We then produced a standardised haplogroup phylogeny using all available entire mitogenomes, as well as calculating a revised molecular clock. The modern lion lineage diverged ~151 kya and was divided into two subspecies, both containing three distinct haplogroups. We confirm that Panthera leo persica is not a subspecies, but rather a haplogroup of the northern P.l. leo that exited Africa at least ~31 kya. The progenitor to all lions existed ~1.2 Mya, possibly in SE Africa, and later exited Africa and split into the two cave lion lineages ~175 kya. Species demography is correlated to major climactic events. We now have a detailed phylogeny of lion evolution and an idea of their conservation status given the threat of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Broggini
- Wildlife Research Unit (UIRCP-UCO), University of Cordoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain;
| | - Marta Cavallini
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences (DBSV), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.C.); (I.V.); (G.B.)
| | - Isabella Vanetti
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences (DBSV), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.C.); (I.V.); (G.B.)
| | - Jackie Abell
- Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Coventry CV8 3LG, UK;
| | - Giorgio Binelli
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences (DBSV), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.C.); (I.V.); (G.B.)
| | - Gianluca Lombardo
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences (DBSV), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy; (M.C.); (I.V.); (G.B.)
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Lima T, Fam B, Tavares GM, Falótico T, Cantele C, Fanti L, Landau L, Viscardi LH, Vargas-Pinilla P, Barrientos-Diaz O, Pissinatti A, Sortica VA, Ottoni EB, Segatto ALA, Turchetto-Zolet AC, Bortolini MC. Insights into the evolutionary history of the most skilled tool-handling platyrrhini monkey: Sapajus libidinosus from the Serra da Capivara National Park. Genet Mol Biol 2023; 46:e20230165. [PMID: 37948505 PMCID: PMC10637428 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2023-0165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sapajus libidinosus members of the Pedra Furada group, living in the Serra da Capivara National Park, use stone tools in a wider variety of behaviors than any other living animal, except humans. To rescue the evolutionary history of the Caatinga S. libidinosus and identify factors that may have contributed to the emergence and maintenance of their tool-use culture, we conducted fieldwork seasons to obtain biological samples of these capuchin monkeys. UsingCYTBsequences, we show a discrete but constant population growth from the beginning of the Holocene to the present, overlapping the emergence of the Caatinga biome. Our habitat suitability reconstruction reports the presence of plants whose hard fruits, seeds, or roots are processed by capuchins using tools. TheS. libidinosusindividuals in the Caatinga were capable of dynamically developing and maintaining their autochthonous culture thanks to: a) cognitive capacity to generate and execute innovation under selective pressure; b) tolerance favoring learning and cultural inheritance; c) an unknown genetic repertoire that underpins the adaptive traits; d) a high degree of terrestriality; e) presence and abundance of natural resources, which makes some places "hot spots" for innovation, and cultural diversification within a relatively short time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaynara Lima
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Bibiana Fam
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Medina Tavares
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Tiago Falótico
- Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades,
São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Camila Cantele
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lucca Fanti
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Luane Landau
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lucas Henriques Viscardi
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul,
Escola de Medicina, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina e Ciências da Saúde, Porto
Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Pedro Vargas-Pinilla
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto,
Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Ossman Barrientos-Diaz
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Vinicius A. Sortica
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Medicina Preventiva da Faculdade de
Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Eduardo B. Ottoni
- Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Psicologia, Departamento de
Psicologia Experimental, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia A. Segatto
- Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Centro de Ciências Naturais e
Exatas, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Santa Maria, RS,
Brazil
| | - Andreia Carina Turchetto-Zolet
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria Cátira Bortolini
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de Genética,
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular (PPGBM), Instituto de
Biociências, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Salazar-Bravo J, Tinoco N, Zeballos H, Brito J, Arenas-Viveros D, Marín-C D, Ramírez-Fernández JD, Percequillo AR, Lee, Jr. TE, Solari S, Colmenares-Pinzon J, Nivelo C, Rodríguez Herrera B, Merino W, Medina CE, Murillo-García O, Pardiñas UF. Systematics and diversification of the Ichthyomyini (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) revisited: evidence from molecular, morphological, and combined approaches. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14319. [PMID: 36655048 PMCID: PMC9841913 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ichthyomyini, a morphologically distinctive group of Neotropical cricetid rodents, lacks an integrative study of its systematics and biogeography. Since this tribe is a crucial element of the Sigmodontinae, the most speciose subfamily of the Cricetidae, we conducted a study that includes most of its recognized diversity (five genera and 19 species distributed from southern Mexico to northern Bolivia). For this report we analyzed a combined matrix composed of four molecular markers (RBP3, GHR, RAG1, Cytb) and 56 morphological traits, the latter including 15 external, 14 cranial, 19 dental, five soft-anatomical and three postcranial features. A variety of results were obtained, some of which are inconsistent with the currently accepted classification and understanding of the tribe. Ichthyomyini is retrieved as monophyletic, and it is divided into two main clades that are here recognized as subtribes: one to contain the genus Anotomys and the other composed by the remaining genera. Neusticomys (as currently recognized) was found to consist of two well supported clades, one of which corresponds to the original concept of Daptomys. Accordingly, we propose the resurrection of the latter as a valid genus to include several species from low to middle elevations and restrict Neusticomys to several highland forms. Numerous other revisions are necessary to reconcile the alpha taxonomy of ichthyomyines with our phylogenetic results, including placement of the Cajas Plateau water rat (formerly Chibchanomys orcesi) in the genus Neusticomys (sensu stricto), and the recognition of at least two new species (one in Neusticomys, one in Daptomys). Additional work is necessary to confirm other unanticipated results, such as the non-monophyletic nature of Rheomys and the presence of a possible new genus and species from Peru. Our results also suggest that ichthyomyines are one of the main Andean radiations of sigmodontine cricetids, with an evolutionary history dating to the Late Miocene and subsequent cladogenesis during the Pleistocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Salazar-Bravo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States
- Instituto de Ecologia, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, Bolivia
- Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Nicolás Tinoco
- Museo de Zoología Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Jorge Brito
- Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - David Marín-C
- Colección Teriológica, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | | | - Alexandre R. Percequillo
- Escola Superior de Agricultura “Luiz de Queiroz”, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thomas E. Lee, Jr.
- Department of Biology, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas, United States
| | - Sergio Solari
- Instituto de Biología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Javier Colmenares-Pinzon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States
- Grupo de Estudios en Biodiversidad, Escuela de Biología, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
| | - Carlos Nivelo
- Museo de Zoologia, Escuela de Biología, Universidad del Azuay, Cuenca, Ecuador
- Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | | | - William Merino
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de El Salvador, San Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador
| | - Cesar E. Medina
- Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional de San Agustin, Arequipa, Arequipa, Peru
| | - Oscar Murillo-García
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
| | - Ulyses F.J. Pardiñas
- Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Quito, Ecuador
- Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
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Boric-Bargetto D, Zúñiga-Reinoso Á, Inostroza-Michel O, Rodríguez-Serrano E, González-Acuña D, Palma RE, Hernández CE. A comprehensive overview of the genetic diversity in Thylamys elegans (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae): establishing the phylogeographic determinants. REVISTA CHILENA DE HISTORIA NATURAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s40693-021-00103-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
For the genus Thylamys, the rivers have been reported as barriers to dispersal, limiting current and historical distribution of its lineages. We hypothesized that the Maipo river has affected the genetic structure of northern and southern lineages of Thylamys elegans, recovering a phylogenetic relationships with reciprocally monophyletic sister groups on opposite river banks. We evaluated the role of other rivers in the Mediterranean zone of Chile as historical and recent modulators of the biogeographic processes of this species.
Methods
We applied a phylogeographic approach, using the cytochrome-b mitochondrial gene for 93 individuals of T. elegans, from 37 localities in a latitudinal gradient between 21°25’ and 35˚56’S, encompassing a geographic area between the Atacama Desert and most of the Mediterranean Chilean zone.
Results
The phylogenetics results recovered six lineages within T. elegans: Thylamys elegans elegans, Thylamys elegans coquimbensis, the Loa lineage and three other lineages not described previously (Aconcagua, South 1 and South 2). We suggest that following rivers play a role like primary barrier: the Maipo river in the genetic differentiation of northern and southern ancestral lineages, and the Mataquito river and its tributary Teno river for the South 1 and South 2 lineages. On the other hand, the Quilimarí river preserve the genetic divergence in T. e. coquimbensis and Aconcagua lineage and the Aconcagua river in Aconcagua lineage and T. e. elegans acting like secondary barriers.
Conclusions
We concluded that the genetic diversity and biogeographic history of T. elegans was shaped by mountain glaciers, changes in river water levels during the Pleistocene glaciations and hyperaridity, promoting the differentiation and persistance of the T. elegans lineages.
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Quintero-Galvis JF, Saenz-Agudelo P, Celis-Diez JL, Amico GC, Vazquez S, Shafer ABA, Nespolo RF. The biogeography of Dromiciops in southern South America: Middle Miocene transgressions, speciation and associations with Nothofagus. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2021; 163:107234. [PMID: 34146676 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The current distribution of the flora and fauna of southern South America is the result of drastic geological events that occurred during the last 20 million years, including marine transgressions, glaciations and active vulcanism. All these have been associated with fragmentation, isolation and subsequent expansion of the biota, south of 35°S, such as the temperate rainforest. This forest is mostly dominated by Nothofagus trees and is the habitat of the relict marsupial monito del monte, genus Dromiciops, sole survivor of the order Microbiotheria. Preliminary analyses using mtDNA proposed the existence of three main Dromiciops lineages, distributed latitudinally, whose divergence was initially attributed to recent Pleistocene glaciations. Using fossil-calibrated dating on nuclear and mitochondrial genes, here we reevaluate this hypothesis and report an older (Miocene) biogeographic history for the genus. We performed phylogenetic reconstructions using sequences from two mitochondrial DNA and four nuclear DNA genes in 159 specimens from 31 sites across Chile and Argentina. Our phylogenetic analysis resolved three main clades with discrete geographic distributions. The oldest and most differentiated clade corresponds to that of the northern distribution (35.2°S to 39.3°S), which should be considered a distinct species (D. bozinovici, sensu D'Elía et al. 2016). According to our estimations, this species shared a common ancestor with D. gliroides (southern clades) about ~13 million years ago. Divergence time estimates for the southern clades (39.6°S to 42.0°S) ranged from 9.57 to 6.5 Mya. A strong genetic structure was also detected within and between clades. Demographic analyses suggest population size stability for the northern clade (D. bozinovici), and recent demographic expansions for the central and southern clades. All together, our results suggest that the diversification of Dromiciops were initiated by the Middle Miocene transgression (MMT), the massive marine flooding that covered several lowlands of the western face of Los Andes between 37 and 48°S. The MMT resulted from an increase in global sea levels at the Miocene climatic optimum, which shaped the biogeographic origin of several species, including Nothofagus forests, the habitat of Dromiciops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian F Quintero-Galvis
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias mención Ecología y Evolución, Escuela de Graduados, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Chile
| | - Pablo Saenz-Agudelo
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Juan L Celis-Diez
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso Escuela de Agronomía Quillota, Chile
| | - Guillermo C Amico
- INIBIOMA, CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Soledad Vazquez
- INIBIOMA, CONICET-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Bariloche, Argentina
| | - Aaron B A Shafer
- Department of Forensic Science & Environmental Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada
| | - Roberto F Nespolo
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile; Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 6513677, Chile; Millenium Institute for Integrative Biology (iBio), Santiago, Chile.
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Arenas-Viveros D, Sánchez-Vendizú P, Giraldo A, Salazar-Bravo J. A new species of Cynomops (Chiroptera: Molossidae) from the northwestern slope of the Andes. MAMMALIA 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2020-0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
The systematics and taxonomy of the broadly distributed bats of the genus Cynomops has changed considerably in the last few years. Among the major changes, Cynomops abrasus was split into two species of large-bodied forms (Cynomops mastivus and C. abrasus) distributed east of the Andes. However, large Colombian specimens identified as C. abrasus from the western side of the Andes had yet to be included in any revisionary work. Phylogenetic analysis performed in this study, using mtDNA sequences (Cytochrome-b), revealed that these Colombian individuals are more closely related to Cynomops greenhalli. Morphological and molecular data allowed us to recognize populations from western Colombia, western Ecuador and northwestern Peru, as members of a new species of Cynomops. Characters that allow for its differentiation from C. greenhalli include a larger forearm, paler but more uniform ventral pelage, more globular braincase, and well-developed zygomatic processes of the maxilla (almost reaching the postorbital constriction). This study serves as another example of the importance of including multiple lines of evidence in the recognition of a new species. Given its rarity and the advanced transformation of its habitat, this new species is particularly important from a conservation perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Arenas-Viveros
- Department of Biological Sciences , Texas Tech University , 2901 Main St , Lubbock , TX 79401 , USA
| | - Pamela Sánchez-Vendizú
- Departamento de Mastozoología , Museo de Historia Natural de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos , Lima , Peru
| | - Alan Giraldo
- Departamento de Biología , Universidad del Valle , Cali , Colombia
| | - Jorge Salazar-Bravo
- Department of Biological Sciences , Texas Tech University , 2901 Main St , Lubbock , TX 79401 , USA
- Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad , Quito , Ecuador
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Molecular and morphological revision of small Myotinae from the Himalayas shed new light on the poorly known genus Submyotodon (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Mamm Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-020-00081-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe systematics status of the constituent species of the M. mystacinus morphogroup in the Himalayan region has long been marred by uncertainty. Lack of integrative studies combining morphological and genetic data from specimens recently collected in this region has hampered our understanding of cryptic variations in this complex taxonomic group. To address this issue, new material from the Himalayan region of India and Nepal was obtained and vouchered specimens in the holdings of various museums were also re-examined. As comparative material, a large series of relevant specimens from South and Southeast Asia were also included in this revision. Using a combination of multivariate analysis of craniodental characters and molecular reconstructions, we critically evaluated the systematic position of the small Myotinae in the Himalayas. We establish that M. nipalensis forms a very distinct lineage (which also includes the recently described M. annatessae) and refute previous taxonomic suggestions that it is related to M. davidii. Our study also conclusively proved the common occurrence of the poorly known genus Submyotodon in the Himalayan region (Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal and China) and evidenced species-level divergences within that genus. Submyotodon species share nyctalodont or semi-nyctalodont lower molar configuration with few other small and unrelated Myotinae from Asia suggesting that these unusual dental characters are homoplasious in this subfamily. We also noticed a very confused taxonomic situation associated with many DNA sequences of Asian Myotis deposited in public repositories and call for possibilities of better data curation.
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