Phenotypic diversification and island evolution of pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus group) in the Mediterranean region inferred from geometric morphometrics and molecular phylogenetics

Abstract

Reccurence of insular syndrome in Pipistrellus pipistrellus species complex in Mediterranean basin was tested using combination of geometric morphometry data based on skull morphology and molecular phylogenetic approach using cytochrome b data.

Keywords

• Chiroptera
• cranial morphology
• geometric morphometrics
• insular syndrome
• island evolution
• Mediterranean basin
• phenotypic evolution
• Pipistrellus hanaki
• Pipistrellus pygmaeus
• species complex