Comments on the systematic status of vampire bats (family Desmodontidae).

Immunologic analyses of serum proteins, studies of karyotypes, and morphology of spermatozoa reveal that vampire bats (family Desmodontidae) are more closely related to members of the family Phyllostomatidae than is suggested by conventional morphological characters. Immunologic tests show Desmodus to be related to the Phyllostomatidae through the subfamilies Phyllostomatinae and Glossophaginae. When fundamental and diploid numbers of chromosomes are plotted, two monotypic desmodontid genera (Desmodus and Diaemus) have karyotypic values that fall in the area of highest concentration of phyllostomatids. Spermatozoa of Desmodus and the third monotypic desmodontid genus, Diphylla, are indistinguishable in general morphology from those of representatives of five subfamilies of phyllostomatids. It is suggested that the vampires may represent only a subfamily of the Phyllostomatidae. Adaptations of bats to specialized feeding habits are reflected by changes in dental, cranial, and other gross morphological features. In some cases, the resultant modifications have been extensive, making it necessary to employ other than conventional morphological criteria to determine phylogenetic relationships. The three monotypic genera (Desmodus, Diaemus, and Diphylla) of vampire bats comprising the New World family Desmodontidae have undergone extreme modifications associated with their sanguineous food habits, and these structural adaptations have been the basis for assignment of vampire bats to a distinct family. However, recently acquired evidence suggests that vampires are much more closely related to members of the New World family Phyllostomatidae than implied by the current classification of bats. Machado-Allison (1967) noted hostectoparasite relationships that closely allied Desmodus rotundus with the Phyllostomatidae and suggested that a re-evaluation of the status of desmodontids might be in order. Immunologic and electrophoretic analysis, karyotype studies, and comparison of sperm morphology also indicate that desmodontids are closely allied with the Phyllostomatidae. The findings recorded below further suggest that a reappraisal of the familial status of Desmodontidae is necessary. Of the studies here reported, Gerber is responsible for the serological work, Baker for the karyotypic analysis, and Forman for the comments on sperm morphology. Specimens mentioned by Gerber and Forman are deposited in the Museum of Natural History at The University of Kansas; those recorded by Baker are housed in the collections at Texas Technological College or the University of Arizona. IMMUNOLOGIC AND ELECTROPHORETIC