Taxonomy of Glossophaga valens (Phyllostomidae, Chiroptera) from the Arequipa region

Abstract

The common long-tongued bat, Glossophaga soricina, is a nectarivorous species, widely distributed in the Neotropics; comprising five recognized subspecies, two of which are found in Peru. G. soricina occurs on the lower eastern slopes of the Andes as well as the Amazon and G. valens that inhabits the western slopes of the Andes, extending south to the Arequipa region. Both taxa overlap in the arid Marañón valley, yet they exhibit notable morphological and genetic differentiation. The occurrence of G. valens in Arequipa raises questions regarding its taxonomic status, so in this study we combined cranial morphometrics with phylogenetic analyses based on two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b and COI) and one nuclear gene (RAG2). Patterns of genetic variation suggest that G. valens is expanding its range into southern Peru. Morphometric analyses revealed that palate length contributed most strongly to group separation in morphometric space. Our findings support the recognition of G. valens as a distinct species and highlight the importance for conservation efforts, given its restricted distribution along the western Andes and its nectarivorous diet —paralleling the case of Platalina genovensium.