A reassessment of the taxonomic status and distribution of the subspecies of <i>Lyroderma lyra </i>(Chiroptera: Megadermatidae)

<p dir="ltr"><i>Lyroderma lyra</i> is one of the six currently recognised species of the family Megadermatidae. Previous studies have suggested subspecific division within <i>L</i>. <i>lyra</i>, wherein the nominate subspecies is predominantly distributed in South Asia, and the other subspecies, <i>L</i>. <i>lyra</i> <i>sinense</i> is occurring in southern China and Southeast Asia. Based on the congruent results of comparative morphology of skulls and bacula, as well as phylogenetic tree reconstructions ‒ the first ones including both subspecies and incorporating the most extensive geographic sampling of “<i>sinense</i>” to date ‒ using <i>COI</i> and <i>cytb</i> sequences, we have elevated the Southeast Asian subspecies to a distinct species status, <i>Lyroderma sinense</i>.</p>