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Rakotondravony R, Schüßler D, Rovanirina VST, Ratsimbazafy J, Radespiel U. Variation in abundance and habitat use of the critically endangered Microcebus gerpi across its fragmented range. Am J Primatol 2023; 85:e23553. [PMID: 37750250 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
A link between the abundance of species and their degree of ecological specialization has previously been suggested within the primate order. Many species of lemurs were only recently described and even basic ecological data are not yet available for them. We investigated the habitat use, abundance, and habitat characteristics of the critically endangered Microcebus gerpi and evaluated potential impacts of vegetation structure and human disturbances on variations in its abundance. We determined abundance by systematic nocturnal surveys along 13 transects that were also used for characterizing the vegetation structure in seven study sites that were widely distributed within its range. Although M. gerpi occurred in all studied lowland rainforest and littoral forest fragments in central eastern Madagascar and therefore has a higher ecological plasticity and wider distribution than previously thought, its actual Area of Occupancy is very small (339.78 km2 ) due to an extreme degree of habitat fragmentation throughout its range. M. gerpi occurred with a mean encounter rate of 3.04 individuals/km but abundance varied substantially between sites (0.75-4.5 individuals/km). Statistical modeling revealed that the cover of small- to medium-sized trees had a positive impact on the abundance of M. gerpi, whereas a composite disturbance score (CDS), formed on the basis of information on the prominence of fires, cattle, charcoal production and wood extraction inside and around the forest, had a negative impact on abundance. These results suggest that M. gerpi is slightly less threatened than expected because of its larger geographic range, but also that it responds negatively to human disturbances. These findings raise strong conservation concerns and question the long-term viability of the remaining small and isolated populations of this arboreal solitary forager.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romule Rakotondravony
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, University of Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
- Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels (EDEN), University of Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Dominik Schüßler
- Institute of Biology and Chemistry, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Valisoa S T Rovanirina
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, University of Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Jonah Ratsimbazafy
- Groupe d'étude et de recherche sur les primates de Madagascar (GERP), Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hannover, Germany
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van Elst T, Schüßler D, Rakotondravony R, Rovanirina VST, Veillet A, Hohenlohe PA, Ratsimbazafy JH, Rasoloarison RM, Rasoloharijaona S, Randrianambinina B, Ramilison ML, Yoder AD, Louis EE, Radespiel U. Diversification processes in Gerp's mouse lemur demonstrate the importance of rivers and altitude as biogeographic barriers in Madagascar's humid rainforests. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10254. [PMID: 37408627 PMCID: PMC10318617 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Madagascar exhibits exceptionally high levels of biodiversity and endemism. Models to explain the diversification and distribution of species in Madagascar stress the importance of historical variability in climate conditions which may have led to the formation of geographic barriers by changing water and habitat availability. The relative importance of these models for the diversification of the various forest-adapted taxa of Madagascar has yet to be understood. Here, we reconstructed the phylogeographic history of Gerp's mouse lemur (Microcebus gerpi) to identify relevant mechanisms and drivers of diversification in Madagascar's humid rainforests. We used restriction site associated DNA (RAD) markers and applied population genomic and coalescent-based techniques to estimate genetic diversity, population structure, gene flow and divergence times among M. gerpi populations and its two sister species M. jollyae and M. marohita. Genomic results were complemented with ecological niche models to better understand the relative barrier function of rivers and altitude. We show that M. gerpi diversified during the late Pleistocene. The inferred ecological niche, patterns of gene flow and genetic differentiation in M. gerpi suggest that the potential for rivers to act as biogeographic barriers depended on both size and elevation of headwaters. Populations on opposite sides of the largest river in the area with headwaters that extend far into the highlands show particularly high genetic differentiation, whereas rivers with lower elevation headwaters have weaker barrier functions, indicated by higher migration rates and admixture. We conclude that M. gerpi likely diversified through repeated cycles of dispersal punctuated by isolation to refugia as a result of paleoclimatic fluctuations during the Pleistocene. We argue that this diversification scenario serves as a model of diversification for other rainforest taxa that are similarly limited by geographic factors. In addition, we highlight conservation implications for this critically endangered species, which faces extreme habitat loss and fragmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias van Elst
- Institute of ZoologyUniversity of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, FoundationHannoverGermany
| | - Dominik Schüßler
- Research Group Vegetation Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology and ChemistryUniversity of HildesheimHildesheimGermany
| | - Romule Rakotondravony
- Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels (EDEN)University of MahajangaMahajangaMadagascar
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'EnvironnementUniversity of MahajangaMahajangaMadagascar
| | - Valisoa S. T. Rovanirina
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'EnvironnementUniversity of MahajangaMahajangaMadagascar
| | - Anne Veillet
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary StudiesUniversity of IdahoMoscowIdahoUSA
| | - Paul A. Hohenlohe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary StudiesUniversity of IdahoMoscowIdahoUSA
| | | | | | - Solofonirina Rasoloharijaona
- Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels (EDEN)University of MahajangaMahajangaMadagascar
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'EnvironnementUniversity of MahajangaMahajangaMadagascar
| | - Blanchard Randrianambinina
- Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels (EDEN)University of MahajangaMahajangaMadagascar
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'EnvironnementUniversity of MahajangaMahajangaMadagascar
| | - Miarisoa L. Ramilison
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'EnvironnementUniversity of MahajangaMahajangaMadagascar
- Department of Primate Behavior and EcologyCentral Washington UniversityEllensburgWashingtonUSA
| | - Anne D. Yoder
- Department of BiologyDuke UniversityDurhamNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Edward E. Louis
- Grewcock Center for Conservation and ResearchOmaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and AquariumOmahaNebraskaUSA
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of ZoologyUniversity of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, FoundationHannoverGermany
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Liu H, Fu Z, Zhou S, Hu J, Yang R, Yu G, Ma Z. The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Pennella sp. Parasitizing Thunnus albacares. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:945152. [PMID: 35846765 PMCID: PMC9280153 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.945152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In the study, the parasite from the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) was separated, and morphological observation and molecular identification were carried out. Our results showed that the parasite was similar to Pennella sp. Its cephalothorax was covered by spherical to spherical non-branched nipples of almost the same size, which were very similar in shape and arrangement. A pair of slightly larger, the unbranched antenna was present on the outer margin of the small papillae-covered area. The gene sequence of COX1 with a length of 1,558 bp in the mitochondria of the parasite was 100% similar to Pennella sp. (MZ934363). The mitochondrial genome had a total length of 14,620 bp. It consisted of 36 genes (12 protein-coding, 22 transfer RNAs and 2 ribosomal RNAs) and a dummy control region, but the mitochondrial genome had no ATP8 gene. Morphological observation showed that Pennella sp. was dark red, with a convex cephalothorax, with a total length of 8.42 cm, parasitic on the dorsal side of yellowfin tuna. Pennella sp. included the cephalothorax, neck, trunk, abdomen and egg belt. This study was the first report on the mitochondrial genome of Pennella sp. The results provide basic data for further identifying the parasites of Pennella genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyan Liu
- Tropical Aquaculture Research and Development Center, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Sanya, China
- Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya, China
| | - Zhengyi Fu
- Tropical Aquaculture Research and Development Center, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Sanya, China
- Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya, China
| | - Shengjie Zhou
- Tropical Aquaculture Research and Development Center, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Sanya, China
- Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Tropical Aquaculture Research and Development Center, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Sanya, China
- Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Tropical Aquaculture Research and Development Center, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Sanya, China
- Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya, China
| | - Gang Yu
- Tropical Aquaculture Research and Development Center, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Sanya, China
- Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya, China
| | - Zhenhua Ma
- Tropical Aquaculture Research and Development Center, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Sanya, China
- Sanya Tropical Fisheries Research Institute, Sanya, China
- Key Laboratory of South China Sea Fishery Resources Exploitation and Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhenhua Ma,
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Roos C, Miguez RP, Sabin R, Jr EEL, Hofreiter M, Zinner D. Mitogenomes of historical type specimens unravel the taxonomy of sportive lemurs ( Lepilemur spp.) in Northwest Madagascar. Zool Res 2021; 42:428-432. [PMID: 34114756 PMCID: PMC8317182 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2021.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate information on name-bearing types, including corresponding type localities, is essential for proper taxonomy. However, such geographic information is often missing or unreliable. The localities of type specimens collected 100-200 years ago can be difficult to trace due to changes in local names or simple inaccuracies. Such a case can be found for the gray-backed sportive lemur (Lepilemur dorsalis), with its type locality imprecisely fixed as Northwest Madagascar. In recent years, eight species have been newly described for the Inter-River-Systems (IRSs) of this region, however the designation of L. dorsalis remains controversial due to a lack of a precise type locality. Here, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of type specimens of L. dorsalis and L. grandidieri, which is currently recognized as a synonym of L. dorsalis and compared their sequences with those of samples of known provenance from different IRSs. Results showed that the two type specimens of L. dorsalis and L. grandidieri had identical mitogenome sequences and clustered closely with samples collected in IRS V, indicating that the type locality could be fixed to IRS V. Consequently, L. dorsalis occurs in IRS V, and L. grandidieri and L. mittermeieri are junior synonyms of L. dorsalis. This finding demonstrates the value of type specimens for clarifying phylogeographic and taxonomic questions and clarifies the taxonomy of sportive lemurs in Northwest Madagascar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Roos
- Gene Bank of Primates and Primate Genetics Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Goettingen 37077, Germany. E-mail:
| | | | | | - Edward E Louis Jr
- Center for Conservation and Research, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, Nebraska 68107, USA
| | - Michael Hofreiter
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam 14476, Germany
| | - Dietmar Zinner
- Cognitive Ethology Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Goettingen 37077, Germany.,Leibniz Science Campus Primate Cognition, Goettingen 37077, Germany.,Department of Primate Cognition, Georg-August-University, Goettingen 37083, Germany
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Čandek K, Agnarsson I, Binford GJ, Kuntner M. Biogeography of the Caribbean Cyrtognatha spiders. Sci Rep 2019; 9:397. [PMID: 30674906 PMCID: PMC6344596 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36590-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Island systems provide excellent arenas to test evolutionary hypotheses pertaining to gene flow and diversification of dispersal-limited organisms. Here we focus on an orbweaver spider genus Cyrtognatha (Tetragnathidae) from the Caribbean, with the aims to reconstruct its evolutionary history, examine its biogeographic history in the archipelago, and to estimate the timing and route of Caribbean colonization. Specifically, we test if Cyrtognatha biogeographic history is consistent with an ancient vicariant scenario (the GAARlandia landbridge hypothesis) or overwater dispersal. We reconstructed a species level phylogeny based on one mitochondrial (COI) and one nuclear (28S) marker. We then used this topology to constrain a time-calibrated mtDNA phylogeny, for subsequent biogeographical analyses in BioGeoBEARS of over 100 originally sampled Cyrtognatha individuals, using models with and without a founder event parameter. Our results suggest a radiation of Caribbean Cyrtognatha, containing 11 to 14 species that are exclusively single island endemics. Although biogeographic reconstructions cannot refute a vicariant origin of the Caribbean clade, possibly an artifact of sparse outgroup availability, they indicate timing of colonization that is much too recent for GAARlandia to have played a role. Instead, an overwater colonization to the Caribbean in mid-Miocene better explains the data. From Hispaniola, Cyrtognatha subsequently dispersed to, and diversified on, the other islands of the Greater, and Lesser Antilles. Within the constraints of our island system and data, a model that omits the founder event parameter from biogeographic analysis is less suitable than the equivalent model with a founder event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klemen Čandek
- Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory, Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory, Institute of Biology, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of the Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Ingi Agnarsson
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., USA
| | - Greta J Binford
- Department of Biology, Lewis and Clark College, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Matjaž Kuntner
- Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory, Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research, National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., USA
- College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory, Institute of Biology, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of the Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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