Unraveling the myotis norass: Ultraconserved-element analysis reveals introgression, cryptic diversity, and taxonomic trouble

Using sequences from 2615 UCE loci and multiple methodologies we inferred phylogenies for the largest genetic dataset of New World Myotis to date. The resulting phylogenetic trees were populated with short branch lengths and widespread conflict, hallmarks consistent with rapid adaptive radiations. The degree of conflict observed in Myotis has likely contributed to difficulties disentangling deeper evolutionary relationships. Unlike earlier phylogenies based on 1-2 gene sequences, this UCE dataset places M. brandtii outside the New World clades. Introgression testing of a small subset of our samples revealed evidence of historical but not contemporary gene flow, suggesting that hybridization occurs less frequently in the Neotropics than in the Nearctic. We identified several instances of cryptic lineages within described species as well as several instances of potential taxonomic over-splitting. Evidence from Central and South American localities suggests that diversity in those regions ...