A new species of Desmalopex (pteropodidae) from the Philippines, with a phylogenetic analysis of the pteropodini

Abstract

We describe a new species of flying fox of the genus Desmalopex from Mindoro Island, Philippines. Discrete and mensural morphological characters distinguish the new species from other flying foxes in Southeast Asia. The new species shares several probable morphological synapomorphies with Desmalopex leucopterus, including features of the pelage, patagia, dentition, and cranium, suggesting that the 2 species are closely related. We present phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences, which support the taxonomic status of the new species and the recently revalidated genus Desmalopex. Together, D. leucopterus and the new species form a well-supported clade that may be sister to Pteropus + Acerodon, or perhaps more distantly related to these genera. Discovery of the new species highlights the need for continued biodiversity inventories in the Philippines, where new taxa are being discovered at a remarkable rate. © 2008 American Society of Mammalogists.