Southeast Asia is recognized as a region of very high biodiversity, much of which is currently at risk due to habitat loss and other threats. However, many aspects of this diversity, even for relatively well-known groups such as mammals, are poorly known, limiting ability to develop conservation plans. This study examines the value of DNA barcodes, sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene, to enhance understanding of mammalian diversity in the region and hence to aid conservation planning. DNA barcodes were obtained from nearly 1900 specimens representing 165 recognized species of bats. All morphologically or acoustically distinct species, based on classical taxonomy, could be discriminated with DNA barcodes except four closely allied species pairs. Many currently recognized species contained multiple barcode lineages, often with deep divergence suggesting unrecognized species. In addition, most widespread species showed substantial genetic differentiation across their distributions. Our results suggest that mammal species richness within the region may be underestimated by at least 50%, and there are higher levels of endemism and greater intra-specific population structure than previously recognized. DNA barcodes can aid conservation and research by assisting field workers in identifying species, by helping taxonomists determine species groups needing more detailed analysis, and by facilitating the recognition of the appropriate units and scales for conservation planning.

Sequences of the DNA barcode region of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene were obtained from 3 8 species of northeastern Palaearctic bats to assess patterns of genetic diversity. These results confirmed earlier findings of deep phylogeographic splits in four pairs of vicariant species (Myotis daubentoniilpetax, M. nattererilbombinus, Plecotus aurituslognevi and Miniopterus schreibersiil fuliginosus) and suggested previously unreported splits within Eptesicus nilssoni and Myotis aurascens. DNA barcodes support all taxa raised to species rank in the past 25 years and suggest that an additional species — Myotis sibiricus — should be separated from Myotis brandtii. Major phylogeographic splits occur between European and Asian populations of Myotis aurascens, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Myotis frater; smaller scale splits are observed between insular and mainland populations in the Far East (M. frater, Myotis ikonnikovi and Murina ussuriensis) and also between southeastern Europe and Ciscaucasia (Myotis d...

Hipposideros larvatus sensu lato constitutes a widespread species complex consisting of morphologically similar forms with a taxonomy that is in need of a revision. Here we present the results of a phylogenetic analysis of members of this species complex based on two mitochondrial (CytB and COI) and seven nuclear (ABHD11, ACOX2, COPS, RAG2, ROGDI2, SORBS2 and THY) genes, and a morphometric analysis. Morphological data, although showing certain diversity, does not allow an accurate delimitation of the taxonomic boundaries and occasionally contradict to genetic grouping. The molecular analyses based on mitochondrial data support the paraphyly of the H. larvatus species complex, with H. armiger recovered nested within. The nuclear data recovered all the lineages of H. larvatus sensu lato forming a monophyletic clade. Within it, apparently four different species-level clades could be revealed in Southeast Asia. One is distributed in northern Myanmar, southern China (including Hainan) and northern Vietnam, and also reaches into central Vietnam along the coast (Cham Islands). The valid name for this taxon must be H. poutensis Allen. The second clade is comprised by populations inhabiting the Malay Peninsula and the Sunda Islands, we identify this taxon as H. larvatus sensu stricto. The third taxon was identified only from southern Myanmar. The fourth taxon is distributed in southern and central Indochina. Its representatives were not related to any of the forms identified in Myanmar, and therefore, its previous identification with H. grandis sounds questionable. Since both the third and fourth taxa cannot now be unambiguously associated with a particular named form, we conventionally designate them as H. cf. grandis 1 and 2.

Myotis daubentoniiis one of the most widely distributed bat species. According to our investigations this species may be divided into two groups of forms, referable to as the "Western" and "Eastern" groups. The oldest name for the latter isM. d. petaxHollister, 1912. These groups differ in several measurements and morphological features, particularly craniodental traits. Animals from the South of Central Siberia belong to the eastern complex. No significant differences were found between specimens from Central Europe and European Russia. On the contrary, animals from Western Siberia and, probably Ural mountains, slightly differ from the European ones. In the eastern complex three forms appear to occur: Sayan- Transbaikalian, Amur-Mantjurian (chosanensis? =loukashkini) and Ussurian (ussuriensis). The Altai population ("petax") is highly variable. On the whole, the "daubentonii" species group includes at least seven Eurasian species (including the newly described VietnameseM. annamiticus), plus four forms of uncertain taxonomic position. Amongst these species, small montane forms with low rostrum and deep fronto-nasal flexure may be separated into their own subgroup or group, "longipes".