Morphology and Evolution of Noctilionoid Bats

Noctilionoid bats represent the most ecologically diverse radiation in all of Mammalia. Ranging in size from 3g to >100g, different species show specializations for aerial insectivory, gleaning insectivory, carnivory, piscivory, omnivory, frugivory, nectarivory, and even sangivory. A strong hypothesis of the relationships of the members of this superfamily is essential for understanding the evolution of the remarkable morphological and ecological diversity of this group, and for understanding its history in both space and time. In collaboration with Dr. Dávalos and Dr. Simmons, we aim to reconstruct a complete species-level phylogeny using analyses of multi-locus nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequence data. Simultaneously, we are developing a data set of dental characters via MorphoBank, a web-based platform for morphological systematics. A new dataset of 280 dental characters for all extant species of noctilionoid bats has been developed in that platform that will facilitate placement of fossils. Finally, a combined-data analyses will provide fossil calibration points for our phylogeny of noctilionoids. Additionally, I am interested in the revision of the taxonomy and systematics of selected Neotropical bats.
Publications
  • Dávalos, L.M., P.M. Velazco, O.M. Warsi, P.D. Smits, and N.B. Simmons. 2014. Integrating incomplete fossils by isolating conflictive signal in saturated and non-independent morphological characters. Systematic Biology, 63: 582-600.
  • Velazco, P.M. and B.D. Patterson. 2014. Diversification of the Yellow-Shouldered Bats, Genus Sturnira (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae), in the New World Neotropics.  Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 68: 683–698.
  • Velazco, P.M. and R. Cadenillas. 2011. On the Identity of Lophostoma silvicolum occidentalis (Davis and Carter, 1978) (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae).  Zootaxa, 2962: 1–20.
  • Velazco, P.M. and N.B. Simmons. 2011. Systematics and taxonomy of great striped-faced bats of the genus Vampyrodes Thomas, 1900 (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae). American Museum Novitates, 3710: 1–35.
  • Velazco, P.M. and B.D. Patterson. 2008. Phylogenetics and biogeography of the broad-nosed bats, genus Platyrrhinus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 49: 749–759.
  • Velazco, P.M. 2005. Morphological phylogeny of the bat genus Platyrrhinus Saussure, 1860 (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) with description of four new species. Fieldiana, Zoology, n.s., N°. 105: iv+53. 

Mammal Tree of Life

I am part of the morphology team of researchers working with NSF support to build a "Tree of Life" (large-scale phylogeny) for mammals using molecular and morphological data collected from representatives of both extant and extinct lineages (AToL Mammals web page).  The AToL Mammal Morphology Team has assembled a dataset of over 4,500 morphological characters archived in an online database using MorphoBank. This data set includes cranial, dental, postcranial, and soft tissue characters. Additionally, I am participating in the NSF funded project "AVATOL–Next Generation Phenomics for the Tree of Life" that is looking to generate sophisticated, powerful new tools that can be applied across the Tree of Life to efficiently generate phenomic data sets from images and text descriptions.
Publications
  • O’Leary, M.A., J.I. Bloch, J.J. Flynn, T.J. Gaudin, A. Giallombardo, N.P. Giannini, S.L. Goldberg, B.P. Kraatz, Z. Luo, J. Meng, X. Ni, M.J. Novacek, F.A. Perini, Z. Randall, G.W. Rougier, E.J. Sargis, M.T. Silcox, N.B. Simmons, M. Spaulding, P.M. Velazco, M. Weksler, J.R. Wible, and A.L. Cirranello. 2013. Response to Technical Comment on “The placental mammal ancestor and the post-KPg radiation of placentals,” Science, 341(6146): 613c.
  • O’Leary, M.A., J.I. Bloch, J.J. Flynn, T.J. Gaudin, A. Giallombardo, N.P. Giannini, S.L. Goldberg, B.P. Kraatz, Z. Luo, J. Meng, X. Ni, M.J. Novacek, F.A. Perini, Z. Randall, G.W. Rougier, E.J. Sargis, M.T. Silcox, N.B. Simmons, M. Spaulding, P.M. Velazco, M. Weksler, J.R. Wible, and A.L. Cirranello. 2013. The Placental mammals ancestor and the post K-Pg radiation of placentals.  Science, 339(6120): 662–667.
  • Burleigh, J.G., K. Alphonse, A.J. Alverson, H.M. Bik, C.E. Blank, A.L. Cirranello, H. Cui, M. Daly, T.G. Dietterich, G. Gasparich, J. Irvine, M. Julius, S. Kaufman, E. Law, J. Liu, L.R. Moore, M.A. O’ Leary, M. Passarotti, S. Ranade, N.B. Simmons, D.W. Stevenson, R.W. Thacker, E.C. Theriot, S. Todorovic, P.M. Velazco, R.L. Walls, J.M. Wolfe, and A. Yu. 2013. Next-generation Phenomics for the Tree of Life. PLOS Currents Tree of Life, June 26.

Faunal inventories of small Neotropical mammals

My research is specimen-based, and includes specimens I collected myself as well as historical museum specimens.  I have participated in several expeditions in Peru and in one expedition in Belize. I am interested in collecting and analyzing data from faunal inventories of small mammals (bats, marsupials, and rodents).
Additionally the use of specimens in my research throughout my career and the fact that I have been associated with museum collections (AMNH, FMNH, MUSM, and NMNH) has taught me the importance of scientific collections. Because of this I am involved in teaching field courses that train students in collecting techniques and on how to properly process and curate scientific specimens.
Publications
  • Hice, C.L. and P.M. Velazco. 2013. Relative effectiveness of several bait and trap types for assessing small mammal communities in Neotropical rainforest.  Occasional Papers, Museum of Texas Tech University, 316: 1-15.
  • Hice, C.L. and P.M. Velazco. 2012. The Non-volant Mammals of the Reserva Nacional Allpahuayo Mishana, Loreto, Peru.  Special Publications, Museum of Texas Tech University, 60: 1-135.
  • Solari, S., V. Pacheco, L. Luna, P.M. Velazco, and B.D. Patterson. 2006. Mammals of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, pp. 13-23. In Patterson, B.D., D.F. Stotz, and S. Solari, eds., Mammals and Birds of the Manu Biosphere Reserve, Peru. Fieldiana, Zoology, n.s., N°. 10.