Phylogeny of the mouse-tailed bats genus Rhinopoma (Family: Rhinopomatidae) in Iran based on mitochondrial D-loop gene

The mouse-tailed bats genus Rhinopoma traditionally are considered as one of the most ancient living microchiropteran clade. The species of this genus inhabiting arid and subtropical regions of the Old World including North-western Africa, Middle East, Levant, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Thailand and Sumatra. Mitochondrial D-loop gene was used for phylogenetic relationship in this genus. In this study we collected 36 samples from different localities for DNA analysis. After amplification and sequencing of sightly fragment, the sequence lengths were 577 bp and the mean base composition was: A (35.23%), C (24.16%), T (28.60%), and G (12.01%). From 577 sites, 168 polymorphic sites were recorded that 148 from one were parsimony informative. Results showed that genus Rhinopoma in Iran includes three species (eg. R. microphyllum, R. muscatellum and R. hardwickei). Also, phylogenetic survey showed that the sister status of the R. microphyllum and R. muscatellum phylogroups contradicts with traditional arrangements of the family where R. hardwickii and R. muscatellum are considered as the most closely related taxa based on similarities in narial morphology and body size.