Albumin Evolution and Subfamilial Relationships among New World Leaf-Nosed Bats (Family Phyllostomidae)

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Abstract
Subfamilial relationships within the New World leaf-nosed bats, family Phyllostomidae, and intergeneric relationships within the subfamily Phyllostominae are examined with the use of albumin immunology. Phylogenetic relationships indicated by the albumin data show a high level of congruence with those suggested by both anatomical and chromosomal studies. Immunological data indicate that the subfamily Phyllostominae is a paraphyletic unit containing lineages from which other phyllostomid subfamilies have been derived. The albumin data further suggest that diversification within the Phyllostomidae proceeded rather rapidly with three and possibly four extant lineages originating as part of the basal phyllostomid radiation. The phylogenetic associations of currently recognized subfamilies and genera revealed by the immunological data together with chromosomal and morphological data suggest the need for a taxonomic revision of the family Phyllostomidae.