Comments: | Various workers have recognized between two and six subfamilies of Pteropodidae including: Cynopterinae Andersen, 1912, Epomophorinae K. Andersen, 1912, Harpionycterinae Miller, 1907, Nyctimeninae Miller, 1907, Macroglossinae Gray, 1866, Rousettinae Andersen, 1912, and Pteropodinae Gray, 1821 (Bergmans, 1997; Corbet and Hill, 1980, 1992; Hill and Smith, 1984; Koopman, 1993, 1994; McKenna and Bell, 1997). Recent phylogenetic studies agree that Macroglossinae and Pteropodinae sensu Koopman (1993, 1994) and McKenna and Bell (1997) are not monophyletic (Alvarez et al., 1999; Giannini and Simmons, 2003; Hollar and Springer, 1997; Hood, 1989; Juste et al., 1997; Kirsch et al., 1995; Romagnoli and Springer, 2000; Springer et al., 1995). Monophyly of cynopterines and empomophorines has also been questioned (Alvarez et al., 1999; Hollar and Springer, 1997; Kirsch et al., 1995; Romagnoli and Springer, 2000). Instead of supporting traditional taxonomic groupings, phylogenetic studies based on DNA hybridization and DNA sequences have found support for a large clade of endemic African taxa including genera previously placed in several different subfamilies/tribes (Alvarez et al., 1999; Giannini and Simmons, 2003; Hollar and Springer, 1997; Kirsch et al., 1995; Romagnoli and Springer, 2000). Relationships among pteropodid genera are not yet fully resolved, however, and questions remain concerning the position of Nyctimene, Paranyctimene, Eidolon, and several SE Asian endemic genera. Existing subfamilial and tribal classifications are not adequately congruent with recent phylogenies. Accordingly, no subfamilial or tribal groups are recognized here pending a thorough reevaluation of pteropodid classification. |