1
|
Deng Z, Li Y, Gao Z, Zhang Z, Yang D. Genetic diversity and haplotype distribution patterns analysis of cytb and RAG2 sequences in Rana hanluica from southern China. Front Genet 2024; 15:1374263. [PMID: 38831774 PMCID: PMC11145506 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1374263] [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: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Rana hanluica: an endemic amphibian of China, is found in the hills and mountains south of the Yangtze River. In this comprehensive study, we collected 162 samples from 14 different localities to delve into the genetic diversity of Rana hanluica using mitochondrial Cytb and nuclear RAG2 as genetic markers. Our findings reveal that the Nanling Mountains, specifically regions like Jiuyi Shan, Jinggang Shan, Mang Shan, and Qiyun Shan, are genetic hotspots harboring remarkable diversity. The research results also indicate that there is gene flow among the various populations of the species, and no distinct population structure has formed, which may be due to migration. Moreover, populations in some regions, as well as the overall population, show signs of a possible genetic bottleneck, which we speculate may have been caused by climate change. However, given the exploratory nature of our study, further investigations are warranted to confirm these observations. Through phylogenetic analyses, we uncovered indications that R. hanluica might have originated within the Nanling region, dispersing along the east-west mountain ranges, with a significant contribution originating from Jiuyi Shan. The genetic distributions uncovered through our research reflect historical migratory patterns, evident in the distinct haplotypes of the RAG2 gene between the western and eastern parts of the studied area. Moreover, Heng Shan and Yangming Shan exhibited unique genetic signatures, possibly influenced by geographic isolation, which has shaped their distinct genotypes. The insights gained from this study hold profound implications for conservation efforts. By identifying regions rich in genetic diversity and crucial gene flow corridors, we can develop more effective conservation strategies. Preserving these genetically diverse areas, especially within the Nanling Mountains, is vital for maintaining the evolutionary potential of R. hanluica. In conclusion, our research has laid a solid foundation for understanding the genetic landscape of R. hanluica, shedding light on its origins, population structures, and evolutionary trajectories. This knowledge will undoubtedly guide future research endeavors and inform conservation strategies for this endemic amphibian.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Daode Yang
- Institute of Wildlife Conservation, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Song BN, Liu CK, Zhao AQ, Tian RM, Xie DF, Xiao YL, Chen H, Zhou SD, He XJ. Phylogeny and diversification of genus Sanicula L. (Apiaceae): novel insights from plastid phylogenomic analyses. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:70. [PMID: 38263006 PMCID: PMC10807117 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04750-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genus Sanicula L. is a unique perennial herb that holds important medicinal values. Although the previous studies on Sanicula provided us with a good research basis, its taxonomic system and interspecific relationships have not been satisfactorily resolved, especially for those endemic to China. Moreover, the evolutionary history of this genus also remains inadequately understood. The plastid genomes possessing highly conserved structure and limited evolutionary rate have proved to be an effective tool for studying plant phylogeny and evolution. RESULTS In the current study, we newly sequenced and assembled fifteen Sanicula complete plastomes. Combined with two previously reported plastomes, we performed comprehensively plastid phylogenomics analyses to gain novel insights into the evolutionary history of this genus. The comparative results indicated that the seventeen plastomes exhibited a high degree of conservation and similarity in terms of their structure, size, GC content, gene order, IR borders, codon bias patterns and SSRs profiles. Such as all of them displayed a typical quadripartite structure, including a large single copy region (LSC: 85,074-86,197 bp), a small single copy region (SSC: 17,047-17,132 bp) separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs: 26,176-26,334 bp). And the seventeen plastomes had similar IR boundaries and the adjacent genes were identical. The rps19 gene was located at the junction of the LSC/IRa, the IRa/SSC junction region was located between the trnN gene and ndhF gene, the ycf1 gene appeared in the SSC/IRb junction and the IRb/LSC boundary was located between rpl12 gene and trnH gene. Twelve specific mutation hotspots (atpF, cemA, accD, rpl22, rbcL, matK, ycf1, trnH-psbA, ycf4-cemA, rbcL-accD, trnE-trnT and trnG-trnR) were identified that can serve as potential DNA barcodes for species identification within the genus Sanicula. Furthermore, the plastomes data and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences were performed to reconstruct the phylogeny of Sanicula. Although the tree topologies of them were incongruent, both provided strong evidence supporting the monophyly of Saniculoideae and Apioideae. In addition, the sister groups between Saniculoideae and Apioideae were strongly suggested. The Sanicula species involved in this study were clustered into a clade, and the Eryngium species were also clustered together. However, it was clearly observed that the sections of Sanicula involved in the current study were not respectively recovered as monophyletic group. Molecular dating analysis explored that the origin of this genus was occurred during the late Eocene period, approximately 37.84 Ma (95% HPD: 20.33-52.21 Ma) years ago and the diversification of the genus was occurred in early Miocene 18.38 Ma (95% HPD: 10.68-25.28 Ma). CONCLUSION The plastome-based tree and ITS-based tree generated incongruences, which may be attributed to the event of hybridization/introgression, incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) and chloroplast capture. Our study highlighted the power of plastome data to significantly improve the phylogenetic supports and resolutions, and to efficiently explore the evolutionary history of this genus. Molecular dating analysis explored that the diversification of the genus occurred in the early Miocene, which was largely influenced by the prevalence of the East Asian monsoon and the uplift of the Hengduan Mountains (HDM). In summary, our study provides novel insights into the plastome evolution, phylogenetic relationships, taxonomic framework and evolution of genus Sanicula.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Ni Song
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Chang-Kun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - An-Qi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Rong-Ming Tian
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Deng-Feng Xie
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yu-Lin Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Huai Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bioresource Utilization & Ecological Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Song-Dong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
| | - Xing-Jin He
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu Y, Wang H, Yang J, Dao Z, Sun W. Conservation genetics and potential geographic distribution modeling of Corybas taliensis, a small 'sky Island' orchid species in China. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2024; 24:11. [PMID: 38163918 PMCID: PMC10759615 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-023-04693-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corybas taliensis is an endemic species of sky islands in China. Its habitat is fragile and unstable, and it is likely that the species is threatened. However, it is difficult to determine the conservation priority or unit without knowing the genetic background and the overall distribution of this species. In this study, we used double digest restriction-site associated DNA-sequencing (ddRAD-seq) to investigate the conservation genomics of C. taliensis. At the same time, we modeled the extent of suitable habitat for C. taliensis in present and future (2030 and 2090) habitat using the maximum-entropy (MaxEnt) model. RESULTS The results suggested that the related C. fanjingshanensis belongs to C. taliensis and should not be considered a separate species. All the sampling locations were divided into three genetic groups: the Sichuan & Guizhou population (SG population), the Hengduan Mountains population (HD population) and Himalayan population (HM population), and we found that there was complex gene flow between the sampling locations of HD population. MT was distinct genetically from the other sampling locations due to the unique environment in Motuo. The genetic diversity (π, He) of C. taliensis was relatively high, but its contemporary effective population size (Ne) was small. C. taliensis might be currently affected by inbreeding depression, although its large population density may be able to reduce the effect of this. The predicted areas of suitable habitat currently found in higher mountains will not change significantly in the future, and these suitable habitats are predicted to spread to other higher mountains under future climate change. However, suitable habitat in relatively low altitude areas may disappear in the future. This suggests that C. taliensis will be caught in a 'summit trap' in low altitude areas, however, in contrast, the high altitude of the Himalaya and the Hengduan Mountains are predicted to act as 'biological refuges' for C. taliensis in the future. CONCLUSIONS These results not only provide a new understanding of the genetic background and potential resource distribution of C. taliensis, but also lay the foundation for its conservation and management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Liu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Huichun Wang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China
- Kunming Botanical Garden, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China
| | - Zhiling Dao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China
- Kunming Botanical Garden, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China
| | - Weibang Sun
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China.
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Kunming Botanical Garden, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zheng HY, Guo XL, Price M, He XJ, Zhou SD. Effects of Mountain Uplift and Climatic Oscillations on Phylogeography and Species Divergence of Chamaesium (Apiaceae). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:673200. [PMID: 34108984 PMCID: PMC8183463 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.673200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the effects of orographic events and climatic shifts on the geographic distribution of organisms in the Himalayas-Hengduan Mountains (HHM) region and Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) is crucial to understand the impact of environmental changes on organism evolution. To gain further insight into these processes, we reconstructed the evolutionary history of nine Chamaesium species distributed across the HHM and QTP regions. In total, 525 individuals from 56 populations of the nine species were analyzed based on three maternally inherited chloroplast fragments (rpl16, trnT-trnL, and trnQ-rps16) and one nuclear DNA region (internal transcribed spacer, ITS). Fifty-two chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and 47 ITS haplotypes were identified in nine species. All of the cpDNA and ITS haplotypes were species-specific. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that all nine species form a monophyletic clade with high support. Dating analysis and ancestral area reconstruction revealed that the ancestral group of Chamaesium originated in the southern Himalayan region at the beginning of the Paleogene (60.85 Ma). The nine species of Chamaesium then separated well during the last 25 million years started in Miocene. Our maxent modeling indicated the broad-scale distributions of all nine species remained fairly stable from LIG to the present and predicted that it will remain stable into the future. The initial split of Chamaesium was triggered by climate changes following the collision of the Indian plate with the Eurasia plate during the Eocene. Subsequently, divergences within Chamaesium may have been induced by the intense uplift of the QTP, the onset of the monsoon system, and Central Asian aridification. Long evolutionary history, sexual reproduction, and habitat fragmentation could contribute to the high level of genetic diversity of Chamaesium. The higher genetic differentiation among Chamaesium populations may be related to the drastic changes of the external environment in this region and limited seed/pollen dispersal capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yi Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xian-Lin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Megan Price
- Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xing-Jin He
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Song-Dong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sky island diversification in the Merodon rufus group (Diptera, Syrphidae)—recent vicariance in south-east Europe. ORG DIVERS EVOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s13127-020-00440-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
6
|
Mângia S, Oliveira EF, Santana DJ, Koroiva R, Paiva F, Garda AA. Revising the taxonomy of
Proceratophrys
Miranda‐Ribeiro, 1920 (Anura: Odontophrynidae) from the Brazilian semiarid Caatinga: Morphology, calls and molecules support a single widespread species. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Mângia
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Zoologia) Universidade Federal da Paraı́ba João Pessoa Brazil
| | - Eliana Faria Oliveira
- Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul Cidade Universitária Campo Grande Brazil
| | - Diego José Santana
- Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul Cidade Universitária Campo Grande Brazil
| | - Ricardo Koroiva
- Laboratório de Citotaxonomia e Insetos Aquáticos Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia Manaus Brazil
| | - Fernando Paiva
- Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul Cidade Universitária Campo Grande Brazil
| | - Adrian Antonio Garda
- Departamento de Botânica e Zoologia Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte Natal Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Maier PA, Vandergast AG, Ostoja SM, Aguilar A, Bohonak AJ. Pleistocene glacial cycles drove lineage diversification and fusion in the Yosemite toad (
Anaxyrus canorus
). Evolution 2019; 73:2476-2496. [DOI: 10.1111/evo.13868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Maier
- Department of BiologySan Diego State University 5500 Campanile Dr. San Diego CA 92182
- FamilyTreeDNA Gene by Gene, 1445 N Loop W Houston TX 77008
| | - Amy G. Vandergast
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research CenterSan Diego Field Station 4165 Spruance Road, Suite 200 San Diego CA 92101
| | - Steven M. Ostoja
- USDA California Climate Hub, Agricultural Research Service, John Muir Institute of the EnvironmentUniversity of California, Davis 1 Shields Ave. Davis CA 95616
| | - Andres Aguilar
- Department of Biological SciencesCalifornia State University, Los Angeles 5151 State University Dr Los Angeles CA 90032
| | - Andrew J. Bohonak
- Department of BiologySan Diego State University 5500 Campanile Dr. San Diego CA 92182
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Behrooz R, Kaboli M, Arnal V, Nazarizadeh M, Asadi A, Salmanian A, Ahmadi M, Montgelard C. Conservation Below the Species Level: Suitable Evolutionarily Significant Units among Mountain Vipers (the Montivipera raddei complex) in Iran. J Hered 2019; 109:416-425. [PMID: 29401236 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esy005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Northern and western mountains of Iran are among the most important biodiversity and endemism hot spots for reptiles in the Middle East. Among herpetofauna, the montivipers represent an emblematic and fragmented endemic group for which estimating their level of genetic differentiation and defining conservation priorities is urgently needed. Here, we present the most comprehensive phylogenetic study on the Montivipera raddei species group comprising all 5 known taxa, among which 3 are endemic to Iran. Based on 2 mitochondrial genes, phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses revealed 3 major lineages each presenting very contrasting distribution areas. The Iranian montivipers are highly structured in clades showing low genetic diversity and corresponding to high altitude summits. Molecular dating revealed the role of Quaternary paleo-climatic oscillations and altitudinal movements of montivipers in shaping genetic diversity and differentiation of these sky-island taxa. In addition, the best scenario of historical biogeography allowed identifying 3 possible refugial areas in Iran most likely arising by vicariance. Based on our mitochondrial results and pending additional data, we recognize 3 candidate species among the M. raddei complex: M. raddei, Montivipera latifii, and Montivipera kuhrangica that are coherent with their geographical distribution. We propose that the most appropriate evolutionary significant units for conservation of the montivipers are represented by 13 units among which 6 are recognized as high priority. Finally, we suggest some recommendations to the IUCN as well as to the Iranian conservation policies with respect to conservation prioritization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roozbeh Behrooz
- CEFE, PSL-EPHE (Biogéographie et Ecologie des Vertébrés), CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Mohammad Kaboli
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Véronique Arnal
- CEFE, PSL-EPHE (Biogéographie et Ecologie des Vertébrés), CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Masoud Nazarizadeh
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
| | - Atefeh Asadi
- CEFE, PSL-EPHE (Biogéographie et Ecologie des Vertébrés), CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Amin Salmanian
- Department of Natural Resources Engineering (Habitats and Biodiversity), Faculty of Environment and Energy (FEE), Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Ahmadi
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Claudine Montgelard
- CEFE, PSL-EPHE (Biogéographie et Ecologie des Vertébrés), CNRS, Univ. Montpellier, Univ Paul Valéry Montpellier, IRD, Montpellier, France.,Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Pan T, Sun Z, Lai X, Orozcoterwengel P, Yan P, Wu G, Wang H, Zhu W, Wu X, Zhang B. Hidden species diversity in Pachyhynobius: A multiple approaches species delimitation with mitogenomes. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2019; 137:138-145. [PMID: 31085325 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The lack of distinct morphological features of cryptic species is a hard problem for taxonomy, especially when the taxa are closely related with considerable amounts of ancestral polymorphism. Lately, intensive coalescent-based analyses involving multiple loci have become the preferred method to assess the extent of genetic distinctiveness in otherwise phenotypically similar populations. Previously, phylogenetic studies on Pachyhynobius shangchengensis uncovered five extremely deeply divergent clades, which suggested that this species may be a cryptic species complex. In this study, we used the complete mitochondrial genome data and samples from the entire range of stout salamander (Pachyhynobius), as well as publicly available mitochondrial genomes to assess species boundaries within this genus using a suite of diverse methodologies (e.g. general mixed Yule coalescent model, Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery). The phylogenetic relationships recovered two major groups within P. shangchengensis, with one group formed by four of the six extant populations and corresponding to the central and eastern range of the Dabie mountains, while the other group encompassed two other lineages in the north west of the Dabie mountain range. The species delimitation comparison within Pachyhynobius supported the presence of recognized species within the genus, and consensus was observed across methods for the existence of up to five cryptic species within what has been traditionally considered to be P. shangchengensis. While this implies the existence of four taxa in addition to the described P. shangchengensis species, morphological data and life history information are further required to contribute to the species definition. The observed pattern of genetic variation is likely the outcome of a discontinuous habitat combined with niche conservatism, which produced the sky-island effect observed in Pachyhynobius, and which led to formation of a hidden species diversity in this genus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Pan
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Eco-engineering and Bio-technique, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China; School of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, China
| | - Zhonglou Sun
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Eco-engineering and Bio-technique, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China; Department of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, UT, United States
| | - Xinlei Lai
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Eco-engineering and Bio-technique, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | | | - Peng Yan
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, China
| | - Guiyou Wu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Eco-engineering and Bio-technique, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Eco-engineering and Bio-technique, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Weiquan Zhu
- Department of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, UT, United States
| | - Xiaobing Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, Anhui, China.
| | - Baowei Zhang
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Eco-engineering and Bio-technique, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pan T, Wang H, Orozcoterwengel P, Hu CC, Wu GY, Qian LF, Sun ZL, Shi WB, Yan P, Wu XB, Zhang BW. Long-term sky islands generate highly divergent lineages of a narrowly distributed stream salamander (Pachyhynobius shangchengensis) in mid-latitude mountains of East Asia. BMC Evol Biol 2019; 19:1. [PMID: 30606099 PMCID: PMC6318985 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1333-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Climate oscillation may have a profound effect on species distributions, gene flow patterns and population demography. In response to environmental change, those species restricted to montane habitats experienced expansions and contractions along elevation gradients, which can drive differentiation among sky islands. RESULTS The Shangcheng stout salamander (Pachyhynobius shangchengensis) is a cool stream amphibian restricted to high-elevation areas in the Dabie Mountains, East China. In the present study, we used mtDNA genes (Cyt b and ND2) of 193 individuals and 12 nuclear microsatellite loci genotyped on 370 individuals, representing 6 populations (JTX, KHJ, MW, TTZ, BYM and KJY) across the taxon's distribution area, to investigate their genetic variation and evolutionary history of P. shangchengensis. Most populations showed unusually high levels of genetic diversity. Phylogenetic analyses revealed five monophyletic clades with divergence times ranging from 3.96 to 1.4 Mya. Accordingly, significant genetic differentiation was present between these populations. Bayesian skyline plot analyses provided that all populations underwent long-term population expansions since the last inter-glacial (0.13 Mya ~ 0.12 Mya). Msvar analyses found recent signals of population decline for two northern populations (JTX and KHJ) reflecting a strong bottleneck (approximately 15-fold decrease) during the mid-Holocene (about 6000 years ago). Ecological niche modelling has shown a discontinuity in suitable habitats for P. shangchengensis under different historical climatic conditions. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the niche conservatism of P. shangchengensis and sky island effects may have led to long-term isolation between populations. In sky island refuges, the mid-latitude Dabie Mountains have provided a long-term stable environment for P. shangchengensis, which has led to the accumulation of genetic diversity and has promoted genetic divergence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Pan
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Eco–engineering and Bio-technique, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, 230601 Anhui China
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000 Anhui China
| | - Hui Wang
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Eco–engineering and Bio-technique, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, 230601 Anhui China
| | | | - Chao-Chao Hu
- Analytical and Testing Center, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046 Jiangsu China
| | - Gui-You Wu
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Eco–engineering and Bio-technique, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, 230601 Anhui China
| | - Li-Fu Qian
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Eco–engineering and Bio-technique, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, 230601 Anhui China
| | - Zhong-Lou Sun
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Eco–engineering and Bio-technique, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, 230601 Anhui China
| | - Wen-Bo Shi
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Eco–engineering and Bio-technique, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, 230601 Anhui China
| | - Peng Yan
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000 Anhui China
| | - Xiao-Bing Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000 Anhui China
| | - Bao-Wei Zhang
- Anhui Key Laboratory of Eco–engineering and Bio-technique, School of Life Sciences, Anhui University, Hefei, 230601 Anhui China
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bhattacharyya S, Dawson DA, Hipperson H, Ishtiaq F. A diet rich in C 3 plants reveals the sensitivity of an alpine mammal to climate change. Mol Ecol 2019; 28:250-265. [PMID: 30136323 PMCID: PMC6391869 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Plant-herbivore interactions provide critical insights into the mechanisms that govern the spatiotemporal distributions of organisms. These interactions are crucial to understanding the impacts of climate change, which are likely to have an effect on the population dynamics of alpine herbivores. The Royle's pika (Ochotona roylei, hereafter pika) is a lagomorph found in the western Himalaya and is dependent on alpine plants that are at risk from climate change. As the main prey of many carnivores in the region, the pika plays a crucial role in trophic interactions. We examined topographical features, plant genera presence and seasonal dynamics as drivers of the plant richness in the pika's diet across an elevational gradient (2,600-4,450 m). We identified 79 plant genera in the faecal pellets of pikas, of which 89% were forbs, >60% were endemic to the Himalaya, and 97.5% of the diet plant genera identified followed the C3 photosynthetic pathway. We found that, during the premonsoon season, the number of genera in the pika's diet decreased with increasing elevation. We demonstrate that a large area of talus supports greater plant diversity and, not surprisingly, results in higher species richness in the pika's diet. However, in talus habitat with deep crevices, pikas consumed fewer plant genera suggesting they may be foraging suboptimally due to predation risk. The continued increase in global temperature is expected to have an effect on the distribution dynamics of C3 plants and consequently influence pika diet and distribution, resulting in a significant negative cascading effect on the Himalayan ecosystem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabuj Bhattacharyya
- Centre for Ecological SciencesIndian Institute of ScienceBangaloreIndia
- Department of Animal and Plant SciencesWestern BankUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Deborah A. Dawson
- Department of Animal and Plant SciencesWestern BankUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Helen Hipperson
- Department of Animal and Plant SciencesWestern BankUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Farah Ishtiaq
- Centre for Ecological SciencesIndian Institute of ScienceBangaloreIndia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Nascimento AC, Chaves AV, Leite FSF, Eterovick PC, dos Santos FR. Past vicariance promoting deep genetic divergence in an endemic frog species of the Espinhaço Range in Brazil: The historical biogeography of Bokermannohyla saxicola (Hylidae). PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206732. [PMID: 30395633 PMCID: PMC6218059 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The highland endemic frog Bokermannohyla saxicola occurs within the Espinhaço Range, the most extensive and continuous orogenic belt of the Brazilian territory, located in southeastern Brazil. We used mitochondrial DNA markers to test for spatial structure, to investigate the likely influence of past vicariant events, to evaluate demographic dynamics along the species range, and to understand the role of habitat discontinuities in promoting connectivity and diversity along the range. We found four major monophyletic lineages, each one associated with distinct mountain tops. The divergence time found between the four main clades clearly pre-dated the Pleistocene, except for the most recent separation. We observed no signs of population expansion for most of the sampling sites along the range, and a higher genetic diversity in the most continuous and central highland plateau, compared to smaller marginal regions. The Espinhaço Range harbors four deeply divergent lineages of B. saxicola within areas restricted by barriers for millions of years. These relatively isolated populations were kept apart by discontinuities represented by lowland habitats between mountain tops. Most of the lineage divergences occurred earlier than the Pleistocene, thus they cannot be solely explained by climatic oscillations of this epoch. However, within-lineage divergence times were all dated from the Pleistocene, suggesting an important effect in population dynamics. We also suggest that some marginal populations like those from Serra Negra and Serra de Itacambira can be the result of recent colonization events. Finally, in the southern Espinhaço region, the most continuous central highland area shows greater genetic diversity than the marginal discontinuous areas, where we have also observed a significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances. Bokermannohyla saxicola is a good model to study the biogeography of the Espinhaço Range because its high genetic structure reflects ancient as well as recent geological/climatic events, with important implications for conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anderson Vieira Chaves
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Manejo e Conservação de Ecossistemas Naturais e Agrários, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, campus Florestal, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- * E-mail: (AVC); (FRS)
| | - Felipe Sá Fortes Leite
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Manejo e Conservação de Ecossistemas Naturais e Agrários, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, campus Florestal, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paula Cabral Eterovick
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Biologia de Vertebrados, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Smith WH, Wooten JA, Camp CD, Stevenson DJ, Jensen JB, Turner M, Alexander NR. Genetic divergence correlates with the contemporary landscape in populations of Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) species complex across the lower Piedmont and Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States. CAN J ZOOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1139/cjz-2018-0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A primary goal of landscape genetics is to elucidate factors associated with genetic structure among populations. Among the important patterns identified have been isolation by distance (IBD), isolation by barrier (IBB), and isolation by environment (IBE). We tested hypotheses relating each of these possible patterns to genetic divergence in the Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus (Green, 1818)) species complex across the lower Piedmont and Coastal Plain of Georgia, USA, and adjacent areas of South Carolina, USA. We sequenced 2148 total bp, including three regions of the mitochondrial genome and a nuclear intron, and related genetic distance to GIS-derived surrogate variables representing possible IBD (geographic distance), IBE (principal components of 19 climate variables, watershed, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)), and IBB (streams of fourth order and higher). Multiple matrix regression with randomization analysis indicated significant relationships between genetic distance and two principal components of climate, as well as NDVI. These results support roles for environment (IBE) in helping to drive genetic divergence in this group of salamanders. The absence of a significant influence of IBD and IBB was surprising. It is possible that the signal effects of geographic distance and barriers on genetic divergence may have been erased by more recent responses to the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Walter H. Smith
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Virginia College at Wise, One College Avenue, Wise, VA 24293, USA
| | - Jessica A. Wooten
- Department of Biology, Piedmont College, 1021 Central Avenue, Demorest, GA 30535, USA
| | - Carlos D. Camp
- Department of Biology, Piedmont College, 1021 Central Avenue, Demorest, GA 30535, USA
| | - Dirk J. Stevenson
- Altamaha Environmental Consulting, 414 Club Drive, Hinesville, GA 31313, USA
| | - John B. Jensen
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Non-game Conservation Section, 116 Rum Creek Drive, Forsyth, GA 31029, USA
| | - Megan Turner
- The University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, CARE/Crawley Building, SuiteE-870, 3235 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - N. Reed Alexander
- Department of Biology, Piedmont College, 1021 Central Avenue, Demorest, GA 30535, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Shepard DB, Kuhns AR. Shifting rivers and stationary ground: biogeographic history of slimy salamanders on an isolated bluff in the Mississippi River floodplain. J Zool (1987) 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. B. Shepard
- School of Biological Sciences Louisiana Tech University Ruston LA USA
| | - A. R. Kuhns
- Illinois Natural History Survey Prairie Research Institute University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign Champaign IL USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth H. Kozak
- Bell Museum of Natural History and Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Brown AP, Greenway R, Morgan S, Quackenbush CR, Giordani L, Arias-Rodriguez L, Tobler M, Kelley JL. Genome-scale data reveal that endemic Poecilia populations from small sulphidic springs display no evidence of inbreeding. Mol Ecol 2017; 26:4920-4934. [PMID: 28731545 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Populations with limited ranges can be highly vulnerable to changes in their environment and are, thus, of high conservation concern. Populations that experience human-induced range reductions are often highly inbred and lack genetic diversity, but it is unknown whether this is also the case for populations with naturally small ranges. The fishes Poecilia sulphuraria (listed as critically endangered) and Poecilia thermalis, which are endemic to small hydrogen sulphide-rich springs in southern Mexico, are examples of such populations with inherently small habitats. We used geometric morphometrics and population genetics to quantify phenotypic and genetic variation within and among two populations of P. sulphuraria and one population of P. thermalis. Principal component analyses revealed phenotypic and genetic differences among the populations. Evidence for inbreeding was low compared to populations that have undergone habitat reduction. The genetic data were also used to infer the demographic history of these populations to obtain estimates for effective population sizes and migration rates. Effective population sizes were large given the small habitats of these populations. Our results imply that these three endemic extremophile populations should each be considered separately for conservation purposes. Additionally, this study suggests that populations in naturally small habitats may have lower rates of inbreeding and higher genetic diversity than expected, and therefore may be better equipped to handle environmental perturbations than anticipated. We caution, however, that the inferred lack of inbreeding and the large effective population sizes could potentially be a result of colonization by genetically diverse ancestors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony P Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | - Ryan Greenway
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Samuel Morgan
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Corey R Quackenbush
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| | | | - Lenin Arias-Rodriguez
- División Académica de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco (UJAT), Villahermosa, Tabasco, México
| | - Michael Tobler
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Joanna L Kelley
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
A complex history of introgression and vicariance in a threatened montane skink (Pseudemoia cryodroma) across an Australian sky island system. CONSERV GENET 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-017-0945-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
18
|
Ball SE, Bovero S, Sotgiu G, Tessa G, Angelini C, Bielby J, Durrant C, Favelli M, Gazzaniga E, Garner TWJ. Islands within an island: Population genetic structure of the endemic Sardinian newt, Euproctus platycephalus. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:1190-1211. [PMID: 28303189 PMCID: PMC5306002 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of historic and contemporary barriers to dispersal is central to the conservation of endangered amphibians, but may be hindered by their complex life history and elusive nature. The complementary information generated by mitochondrial (mtDNA) and microsatellite markers generates a valuable tool in elucidating population structure and the impact of habitat fragmentation. We applied this approach to the study of an endangered montane newt, Euproctus platycephalus. Endemic to the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, it is threatened by anthropogenic activity, disease, and climate change. We have demonstrated a clear hierarchy of structure across genetically divergent and spatially distinct subpopulations. Divergence between three main mountain regions dominated genetic partitioning with both markers. Mitochondrial phylogeography revealed a deep division dating to ca. 1 million years ago (Mya), isolating the northern region, and further differentiation between the central and southern regions ca. 0.5 Mya, suggesting an association with Pleistocene severe glacial oscillations. Our findings are consistent with a model of southward range expansion during glacial periods, with postglacial range retraction to montane habitat and subsequent genetic isolation. Microsatellite markers revealed further strong population structure, demonstrating significant divergence within the central region, and partial differentiation within the south. The northern population showed reduced genetic diversity. Discordance between mitochondrial and microsatellite markers at this scale indicated a further complexity of population structure, in keeping with male-biased dispersal and female philopatry. Our study underscores the need to elucidate cryptic population structure in the ecology and conservation strategies for endangered island-restricted amphibians, especially in the context of disease and climate change.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Ball
- Institute of ZoologyThe Zoological Society of LondonLondonUK
| | - Stefano Bovero
- Zirichiltaggi S. W. C. Non‐profit Association for Wildlife ConservationSassariItaly
| | - Giuseppe Sotgiu
- Zirichiltaggi S. W. C. Non‐profit Association for Wildlife ConservationSassariItaly
| | - Giulia Tessa
- Zirichiltaggi S. W. C. Non‐profit Association for Wildlife ConservationSassariItaly
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei SistemiUniversita degli Studi di TorinoTorinoItaly
| | - Claudio Angelini
- Zirichiltaggi S. W. C. Non‐profit Association for Wildlife ConservationSassariItaly
| | - Jon Bielby
- Institute of ZoologyThe Zoological Society of LondonLondonUK
- Zirichiltaggi S. W. C. Non‐profit Association for Wildlife ConservationSassariItaly
| | | | - Marco Favelli
- Zirichiltaggi S. W. C. Non‐profit Association for Wildlife ConservationSassariItaly
| | - Enrico Gazzaniga
- Zirichiltaggi S. W. C. Non‐profit Association for Wildlife ConservationSassariItaly
| | - Trenton W. J. Garner
- Institute of ZoologyThe Zoological Society of LondonLondonUK
- Zirichiltaggi S. W. C. Non‐profit Association for Wildlife ConservationSassariItaly
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Guo P, Liu Q, Zhu F, Zhong GH, Chen X, Myers EA, Che J, Zhang L, Ziegler T, Nguyen TQ, Burbrink FT. Complex longitudinal diversification across South China and Vietnam in Stejneger's pit viper,Viridovipera stejnegeri(Schmidt, 1925) (Reptilia: Serpentes: Viperidae). Mol Ecol 2016; 25:2920-36. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.13658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Guo
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering; Yibin University; Yibin 644007 China
| | - Qin Liu
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering; Yibin University; Yibin 644007 China
| | - Fei Zhu
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering; Yibin University; Yibin 644007 China
| | - Guang H. Zhong
- College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering; Yibin University; Yibin 644007 China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences; Dartmouth College; Hanover NH 03755 USA
| | - Edward A. Myers
- Department of Biology; The Graduate School and University Center; The City University of New York; 365 5th Avenue New York NY 10016 USA
| | - Jing Che
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, and Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals; Kunming Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming 650223 China
- Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Menglun Mengla Yunnan 666303 China
| | - Liang Zhang
- South China Institute of Endangered Animals; Guangzhou 510260 China
| | - Thomas Ziegler
- AG Zoologischer Garten Köln; Riehler Strasse 173 D-50735 Cologne Germany
| | - Truong Q. Nguyen
- Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources; Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology; 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street Hanoi Vietnam
| | - Frank T. Burbrink
- Department of Herpetology; American Museum of Natural History; Central Park West at 79th Street New York NY 10024-5192 USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Lyons MP, Shepard DB, Kozak KH. Determinants of Range Limits in Montane Woodland Salamanders (GenusPlethodon). COPEIA 2016. [DOI: 10.1643/ot-14-222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
21
|
|
22
|
Deitloff J, Floyd C, Graham SP. Examining Head-shape Differences and Ecology in Morphologically Similar Salamanders at Their Zone of Contact. COPEIA 2016. [DOI: 10.1643/ce-15-319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
23
|
Population Genetic Structure of the Endangered Kaiser's Mountain Newt, Neurergus kaiseri (Amphibia: Salamandridae). PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149596. [PMID: 26918642 PMCID: PMC4769016 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Species often exhibit different levels of genetic structuring correlated to their environment. However, understanding how environmental heterogeneity influences genetic variation is difficult because the effects of gene flow, drift and selection are confounded. We investigated the genetic variation and its ecological correlates in an endemic and critically endangered stream breeding mountain newt, Neurergus kaiseri, within its entire range in southwestern Iran. We identified two geographic regions based on phylogenetic relationships using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood of 779 bp mtDNA (D-loop) in 111 individuals from ten of twelve known breeding populations. This analysis revealed a clear divergence between northern populations, located in more humid habitats at higher elevation, and southern populations, from drier habitats at lower elevations regions. From seven haplotypes found in these populations none was shared between the two regions. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) of N. kaiseri indicates that 94.03% of sequence variation is distributed among newt populations and 5.97% within them. Moreover, a high degree of genetic subdivision, mainly attributable to the existence of significant variance among the two regions is shown (θCT = 0.94, P = 0.002). The positive and significant correlation between geographic and genetic distances (r = 0.61, P = 0.002) following controlling for environmental distance suggests an important influence of geographic divergence of the sites in shaping the genetic variation and may provide tools for a possible conservation based prioritization policy for the endangered species.
Collapse
|
24
|
Culumber ZW, Tobler M. Ecological divergence and conservatism: spatiotemporal patterns of niche evolution in a genus of livebearing fishes (Poeciliidae: Xiphophorus). BMC Evol Biol 2016; 16:44. [PMID: 26895994 PMCID: PMC4761163 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0593-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ecological factors often have a strong impact on spatiotemporal patterns of biodiversity. The integration of spatial ecology and phylogenetics allows for rigorous tests of whether speciation is associated with niche conservatism (constraints on ecological divergence) or niche divergence. We address this question in a genus of livebearing fishes for which the role of sexual selection in speciation has long been studied, but in which the potential role of ecological divergence during speciation has not been tested. Results By combining reconstruction of ancestral climate tolerances and disparity indices, we show that the earliest evolutionary split in Xiphophorus was associated with significant divergence for temperature variables. Niche evolution and present day niches were most closely associated with each species’ geographic distribution relative to a biogeographic barrier, the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Tests for similarity of the environmental backgrounds of closely related species suggested that the relative importance of niche conservatism and divergence during speciation varied among the primary clades of Xiphophorus. Closely related species in the two swordtail clades exhibited higher levels of niche overlap than expected given environmental background similarity indicative of niche conservatism. In contrast, almost all species of platyfish had significantly divergent niches compared to environmental backgrounds, which is indicative of niche divergence. Conclusion The results suggest that the relative importance of niche conservatism and divergence differed among the clades of Xiphophorus and that traits associated with niche evolution may be more evolutionarily labile in the platyfishes. Our results ultimately suggest that the taxonomic scale of tests for conservatism and divergence could greatly influence inferences of their relative importance in the speciation process. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0593-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary W Culumber
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
| | - Michael Tobler
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Culumber ZW, Tobler M. Spatiotemporal environmental heterogeneity and the maintenance of the tailspot polymorphism in the variable platyfish (Xiphophorus variatus). Evolution 2016; 70:408-19. [PMID: 26748941 DOI: 10.1111/evo.12852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 10/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Genetic variation is critical for adaptive evolution. Despite its importance, there is still limited evidence in support of some prominent theoretical models explaining the maintenance of genetic polymorphism within populations. We examined 84 populations of Xiphophorus variatus, a livebearing fish with a genetic polymorphism associated with physiological performance, to test: (1) whether niche differentiation explains broad-scale maintenance of polymorphism, (2) whether polymorphism is maintained among populations by local adaptation and migration, or (3) whether heterogeneity in explicit environmental variables could be linked to levels of polymorphism within populations. We found no evidence of climatic niche differentiation that could generate or maintain broad geographic variation in polymorphism. Subsequently, hierarchical partitioning of genetic richness and partial mantel tests revealed that 76% of the observed genetic richness was partitioned within populations with no effect of geographic distance on polymorphism. These results strongly suggest a lack of migration-selection balance in the maintenance of polymorphism, and model selection confirmed a significant relationship between environmental heterogeneity and genetic richness within populations. Few studies have demonstrated such effects at this scale, and additional studies in other taxa should examine the generality of gene-by-environment interactions across populations to better understand the dynamics and scale of balancing selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Tobler
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, 66506
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Oliveira EF, Gehara M, São-Pedro VA, Chen X, Myers EA, Burbrink FT, Mesquita DO, Garda AA, Colli GR, Rodrigues MT, Arias FJ, Zaher H, Santos RML, Costa GC. Speciation with gene flow in whiptail lizards from a Neotropical xeric biome. Mol Ecol 2015; 24:5957-75. [PMID: 26502084 DOI: 10.1111/mec.13433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Two main hypotheses have been proposed to explain the diversification of the Caatinga biota. The riverine barrier hypothesis (RBH) claims that the São Francisco River (SFR) is a major biogeographic barrier to gene flow. The Pleistocene climatic fluctuation hypothesis (PCH) states that gene flow, geographic genetic structure and demographic signatures on endemic Caatinga taxa were influenced by Quaternary climate fluctuation cycles. Herein, we analyse genetic diversity and structure, phylogeographic history, and diversification of a widespread Caatinga lizard (Cnemidophorus ocellifer) based on large geographical sampling for multiple loci to test the predictions derived from the RBH and PCH. We inferred two well-delimited lineages (Northeast and Southwest) that have diverged along the Cerrado-Caatinga border during the Mid-Late Miocene (6-14 Ma) despite the presence of gene flow. We reject both major hypotheses proposed to explain diversification in the Caatinga. Surprisingly, our results revealed a striking complex diversification pattern where the Northeast lineage originated as a founder effect from a few individuals located along the edge of the Southwest lineage that eventually expanded throughout the Caatinga. The Southwest lineage is more diverse, older and associated with the Cerrado-Caatinga boundaries. Finally, we suggest that C. ocellifer from the Caatinga is composed of two distinct species. Our data support speciation in the presence of gene flow and highlight the role of environmental gradients in the diversification process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliana F Oliveira
- Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Gehara
- Pós-Graduação em Sistemática e Evolução, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - Vinícius A São-Pedro
- Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Biology, 6S-143, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA.,Department of Biology, The Graduate School, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Edward A Myers
- Department of Biology, 6S-143, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA.,Department of Biology, The Graduate School, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Frank T Burbrink
- Department of Biology, 6S-143, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA.,Department of Biology, The Graduate School, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10016, USA.,Department of Herpetology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY, 10024-5192, USA
| | - Daniel O Mesquita
- Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, 58000-00, Brazil
| | - Adrian A Garda
- Departamento de Botânica e Zoologia, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - Guarino R Colli
- Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Miguel T Rodrigues
- Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05422-970, Brazil
| | - Federico J Arias
- Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05422-970, Brazil
| | - Hussam Zaher
- Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 04263-000, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo M L Santos
- Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, 05422-970, Brazil
| | - Gabriel C Costa
- Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, 59072-970, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Vázquez-Miranda H, Barr KR, Farquhar CC, Zink RM. Fluctuating fire regimes and their historical effects on genetic variation in an endangered shrubland specialist. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:5487-98. [PMID: 27069600 PMCID: PMC4813106 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Revised: 10/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The Pleistocene was characterized by worldwide shifts in community compositions. Some of these shifts were a result of changes in fire regimes, which influenced the distribution of species belonging to fire‐dependent communities. We studied an endangered juniper–oak shrubland specialist, the black‐capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla). This species was locally extirpated in parts of Texas and Oklahoma by the end of the 1980s as a result of habitat change and loss, predation, brood parasitism, and anthropogenic fire suppression. We sequenced multiple nuclear loci and used coalescence methods to obtain a deeper understanding of historical population trends than that typically available from microsatellites or mtDNA. We compared our estimated population history, a long‐term history of the fire regime and ecological niche models representing the mid‐Holocene, last glacial maximum, and last interglacial. Our Bayesian skyline plots showed a pattern of historical population fluctuation that was consistent with changing fire regimes. Genetic data suggest that the species is genetically unstructured, and that the current population should be orders of magnitude larger than it is at present. We suggest that fire suppression and habitat loss are primary factors contributing to the recent decline of the BCVI, although the role of climate change since the last glacial maximum is unclear at present.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hernán Vázquez-Miranda
- Bell Museum and Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior University of Minnesota St. Paul Minnesota 55108 USA
| | - Kelly R Barr
- Hopkins Marine Station Stanford University Pacific Grove California 93950 USA
| | - C Craig Farquhar
- Wildlife Division Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin Texas 78744 USA
| | - Robert M Zink
- Bell Museum and Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior University of Minnesota St. Paul Minnesota 55108 USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Concordant species delimitation from multiple independent evidence: A case study with the Pachytriton brevipes complex (Caudata: Salamandridae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2015; 92:108-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2015.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
29
|
Pleistocene climatic fluctuations explain the disjunct distribution and complex phylogeographic structure of the Southern Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon serratus. Evol Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-015-9794-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
30
|
Newman CE, Austin CC. Thriving in the Cold: Glacial Expansion and Post-Glacial Contraction of a Temperate Terrestrial Salamander (Plethodon serratus). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130131. [PMID: 26132077 PMCID: PMC4488858 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic geologic history of the southeastern United States has played a major role in shaping the geographic distributions of amphibians in the region. In the phylogeographic literature, the predominant pattern of distribution shifts through time of temperate species is one of contraction during glacial maxima and persistence in refugia. However, the diverse biology and ecology of amphibian species suggest that a "one-size-fits-all" model may be inappropriate. Nearly 10% of amphibian species in the region have a current distribution comprised of multiple disjunct, restricted areas that resemble the shape of Pleistocene refugia identified for other temperate taxa in the literature. Here, we apply genetics and spatially explicit climate analyses to test the hypothesis that the disjunct regions of these species ranges are climatic refugia for species that were more broadly distributed during glacial maxima. We use the salamander Plethodon serratus as a model, as its range consists of four disjunct regions in the Southeast. Phylogenetic results show that P. serratus is comprised of multiple genetic lineages, and the four regions are not reciprocally monophyletic. The Appalachian salamanders form a clade sister to all other P. serratus. Niche and paleodistribution modeling results suggest that P. serratus expanded from the Appalachians during the cooler Last Glacial Maximum and has since been restricted to its current disjunct distribution by a warming climate. These data reject the universal applicability of the glacial contraction model to temperate taxa and reiterate the importance of considering the natural history of individual species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E. Newman
- Museum of Natural Science, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Christopher C. Austin
- Museum of Natural Science, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Biogeographic history and cryptic diversity of saxicolous Tropiduridae lizards endemic to the semiarid Caatinga. BMC Evol Biol 2015; 15:94. [PMID: 26001787 PMCID: PMC4494643 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-015-0368-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Phylogeographic research has advanced in South America, with increasing efforts on taxa from the dry diagonal biomes. However, the diversification of endemic fauna from the semiarid Caatinga biome in northeastern Brazil is still poorly known. Here we targeted saxicolous lizards of the Tropidurus semitaeniatus species group to better understand the evolutionary history of these endemic taxa and the Caatinga. We estimated a time-calibrated phylogeny for the species group based on two mitochondrial and two nuclear genes and jointly estimated the species limits and species tree within the group. We also devoted a denser phylogeographic sampling of the T. semitaeniatus complex to explore migration patterns, and the spatiotemporal diffusion history to verify a possible role of the São Francisco River as a promoter of differentiation in this saxicolous group of lizards. Results Phylogenetic analysis detected high cryptic genetic diversity, occurrence of unique microendemic lineages associated with older highlands, and a speciation history that took place during the Pliocene-Pleistocene transition. Species delimitation detected five evolutionary entities within the T. semitaeniatus species group, albeit with low support. Thus, additional data are needed for a more accurate definition of species limits and interspecific relationships within this group. Spatiotemporal analyses reconstructed the geographic origin of the T. semitaeniatus species complex to be located north of the present-day course of the São Francisco River, followed by dispersal that expanded its distribution towards the northwest and south. Gene flow estimates showed higher migration rates into the lineages located north of the São Francisco River. Conclusions The phylogenetic and population structures are intrinsically associated with stable rock surfaces and landscape rearrangements, such as the establishment of drainage basins located to the northern and southern distribution ranges. The T. semitaeniatus complex preserved high genetic diversity during range expansion, possibly as a result of frequent long-distance dispersal events. Our results indicate that both the current course of the São Francisco River and its paleo-courses had an important role in promoting diversification of the Caatinga endemic T. semitaeniatus species group. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12862-015-0368-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
|
32
|
Meng H, Li X, Qiao P. Population structure, historical biogeography and demographic history of the alpine toad Scutiger ningshanensis in the Tsinling Mountains of Central China. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100729. [PMID: 24956389 PMCID: PMC4067352 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Population genetic structure, historical biogeography and historical demography of the alpine toad Scutiger ningshanensis were studied using the combined data mtDNA cytochrome b (cyt b) and the mtDNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) as the molecular markers. This species has high genetic variation. There was a significant genetic differentiation among most populations. Three lineages were detected. The phylogenetic relationship analyses and the SAMOVA (spatial analysis of molecular variance) results showed significant phylogeographic structure. 82.15% genetic variation occurred among populations whereas differentiation within populations only contributed 17.85% to the total. Mantel test results showed a significant correlation between the pairwise calculated genetic distance and pairwise calculated geographical distance of the populations (regression coefficient = 0.001286, correlation coefficient = 0.77051, p (rrand≥robs) = 0.0185<0.05), indicating the existence of isolation-by-distance pattern of genetic divergence for cyt b + COI sequence, which suggests that the distribution of genetic variation is due to geographical separation rather than natural selection. The population expansion or contraction and genetic differentiation between populations or lineages could be explained by topography and the repetitive uplifts of the Tsinling Mountains and the climatic cycles during the late Pliocene and Pleistocene. S. ningshanensis experienced a rapid population expansion about 40,000 years before present. The current decline in population size was probably caused by anthropogenic disturbance. Current populations of S. ningshanensis are from different refugia though the location of these refugia could not be determined in our study. Topography, climatic changes and repetitive population expansion/contraction together led to the high level of genetic variation in S. ningshanensis. A total of three management units (MUs) was determined, which must be considered when conservation policy is made in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongzhe Meng
- Co-Innovation Center for Qinba Regions' Sustainable Development, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaochen Li
- Co-Innovation Center for Qinba Regions' Sustainable Development, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Penghai Qiao
- Co-Innovation Center for Qinba Regions' Sustainable Development, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Qu Y, Ericson PGP, Quan Q, Song G, Zhang R, Gao B, Lei F. Long-term isolation and stability explain high genetic diversity in the Eastern Himalaya. Mol Ecol 2014; 23:705-20. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.12619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Qu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution; Institute of Zoology; Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100101 China
| | - Per G. P. Ericson
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology; Swedish Museum of Natural History; PO Box 50007 SE-10405 Stockholm Sweden
| | - Qing Quan
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution; Institute of Zoology; Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100101 China
| | - Gang Song
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution; Institute of Zoology; Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100101 China
| | - Ruiying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution; Institute of Zoology; Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100101 China
| | - Bin Gao
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution; Institute of Zoology; Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100101 China
| | - Fumin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution; Institute of Zoology; Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing 100101 China
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Morehouse RL, Papeş M, Tobler M. Predicting and Mapping the Potential Distribution of the Painted Devil Crayfish, Cambarus ludovicianusFaxon (Decapoda: Cambaridae). SOUTHWEST NAT 2013. [DOI: 10.1894/0038-4909-58.4.435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
35
|
Leaché AD, Palacios JA, Minin VN, Bryson RW. Phylogeography of the Trans-Volcanic bunchgrass lizard (Sceloporus bicanthalis) across the highlands of south-eastern Mexico. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam D. Leaché
- Department of Biology and Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture; University of Washington; Box 351800 Seattle WA 98195 USA
| | - Julia A. Palacios
- Department of Statistics; University of Washington; Seattle WA 98195-4322 USA
| | - Vladimir N. Minin
- Department of Statistics; University of Washington; Seattle WA 98195-4322 USA
| | - Robert W. Bryson
- Department of Biology and Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture; University of Washington; Box 351800 Seattle WA 98195 USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Valbuena-Ureña E, Amat F, Carranza S. Integrative phylogeography of Calotriton newts (Amphibia, Salamandridae), with special remarks on the conservation of the endangered Montseny brook newt (Calotriton arnoldi). PLoS One 2013; 8:e62542. [PMID: 23750201 PMCID: PMC3672179 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/22/2013] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Calotriton includes two species of newts highly adapted to live in cold and fast-flowing mountain springs. The Pyrenean brook newt (Calotriton asper), restricted to the Pyrenean region, and the Montseny brook newt (Calotriton arnoldi), endemic to the Montseny massif and one of the most endangered amphibian species in Europe. In the present manuscript, we use an integrative approach including species distribution modeling (SDM), molecular analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data and morphology to unravel the historical processes that have contributed to shaping the biogeography and genetic structure of the genus Calotriton, with special emphasis on the conservation of C. arnoldi. The results of the molecular analyses confirm that, despite having originated recently, being ecologically similar and geographically very close, there is no signal of hybridization between C. asper and C. arnoldi. SDM results suggest that tough environmental conditions on mountains tops during glacial periods, together with subsequent warmer periods could have prevented the contact between the two species. Within the critically endangered C. arnoldi, a high genetic structure is revealed despite its extremely small distribution range compared to C. asper. Haplotype networks, AMOVA and SAMOVA analyses suggest that two distinct groups of populations can be clearly differentiated with absence of gene flow. This is in concordance with morphological differentiation and correlates with its geographical distribution, as the two groups are situated on the eastern and western sides of a river valley that acts as a barrier. The genetic and morphological results are highly important for the ongoing conservation program of C. arnoldi and strongly justify the management of this species into at least two independent evolutionary significant units (eastern and western sectors) to guarantee the long-term population viability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Valbuena-Ureña
- Unitat de Zoologia (Facultat de Biociències), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Wu Y, Wang Y, Jiang K, Hanken J. Significance of pre-Quaternary climate change for montane species diversity: insights from Asian salamanders (Salamandridae: Pachytriton). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2012; 66:380-90. [PMID: 23110935 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2012.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2012] [Revised: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Despite extensive focus on the genetic legacy of Pleistocene glaciation, impacts of earlier climatic change on biodiversity are poorly understood. Because amphibians are highly sensitive to variations in precipitation and temperature, we use a genus of Chinese montane salamanders (Salamandridae: Pachytriton) to study paleoclimatic change in East Asia, which experienced intensification of its monsoon circulation in the late Miocene associated with subsequent Pliocene warming. Using both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, we reconstruct the species tree under a coalescent model and demonstrate that all major lineages originated before the Quaternary. Initial speciation within the genus occurred after the summer monsoon entered a stage of substantial intensification. Heavy summer precipitation established temporary water connectivity through overflows between adjacent stream systems, which may facilitate geographic range expansion by aquatic species such as Pachytriton. Species were formed in allopatry likely through vicariant isolation during or after range expansion. To evaluate the influence of Pliocene warming on these cold-adapted salamanders, we construct a novel temperature buffer-zone model, which suggests widespread physiological stress or even extinction during the warming period. A significant deceleration of species accumulation rate is consistent with Pliocene range contraction, which affected P. granulosus and P. archospotus the most because they lack large temperature buffer zones. In contrast, demographic growth occurred in species for which refugia persist. The buffer-zone model reveals the Huangshan Mountain as a potential climatic refugium, which is similar to that found for other East Asian organisms. Our approach can incorporate future climatic data to evaluate the potential impact of ongoing global warming on montane species (particularly amphibians) and to predict possible population declines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunke Wu
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Yan HF, Zhang CY, Wang FY, Hu CM, Ge XJ, Hao G. Population expanding with the phalanx model and lineages split by environmental heterogeneity: a case study of Primula obconica in subtropical China. PLoS One 2012; 7:e41315. [PMID: 23028425 PMCID: PMC3446961 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 06/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current and historical events have both affected the current distribution patterns and intraspecific divergence of plants. While numerous studies have focused on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), the impacts of such events on the flora of subtropical China remain poorly understood. Subtropical China is famous for its highly complex topography and the limited impact from glaciation during the Pleistocene; this may have resulted in a different genetic legacy for species in this region compared to fully glaciated areas. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We used plastid and nuclear DNA sequence data and distribution modeling to analyze the divergence patterns and demographic history of Primula obconica Hance, a widespread herbaceous montane species in subtropical China. The phylogenetic analysis revealed two major lineages (lineage A and lineage B), representing a west-east split into the Yunnan and Eastern groups, and the Sichuan and Central groups, respectively. The Eastern and Central groups comprised relatively new derived haplotypes. Nested Clade Analysis and Bayesian Skyline Plot analyses both indicated that P. obconica mainly experienced a gradual expansion of populations. In addition, the simulated distribution of P. obconica during the Last Glacial Maximum was slightly larger than its present-day distribution. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE Our results are the first to identify a west-east migration of P. obconica. The gradual expansion pattern and a larger potential distribution range in cold periods detected for P. obconica indicate that the population expansion of this species is consistent with the phalanx model. In addition, the current patterns of genetic differentiation have persisted as a result of the extensive environmental heterogeneity that exists in subtropical China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Fei Yan
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cai-Yun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feng-Ying Wang
- Shanghai Chenshan Plant Science Research Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai, China
| | - Chi-Ming Hu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue-Jun Ge
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Sustainable Utilization, South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Gang Hao
- College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Culumber ZW, Shepard DB, Coleman SW, Rosenthal GG, Tobler M. Physiological adaptation along environmental gradients and replicated hybrid zone structure in swordtails (Teleostei: Xiphophorus). J Evol Biol 2012; 25:1800-14. [PMID: 22827312 DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2012.02562.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Local adaptation is often invoked to explain hybrid zone structure, but empirical evidence of this is generally rare. Hybrid zones between two poeciliid fishes, Xiphophorus birchmanni and X. malinche, occur in multiple tributaries with independent replication of upstream-to-downstream gradients in morphology and allele frequencies. Ecological niche modelling revealed that temperature is a central predictive factor in the spatial distribution of pure parental species and their hybrids and explains spatial and temporal variation in the frequency of neutral genetic markers in hybrid populations. Among populations of parentals and hybrids, both thermal tolerance and heat-shock protein expression vary strongly, indicating that spatial and temporal structure is likely driven by adaptation to local thermal environments. Therefore, hybrid zone structure is strongly influenced by interspecific differences in physiological mechanisms for coping with the thermal environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Z W Culumber
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, TAMU, College Station, TX 77840, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Wang B, Jiang J, Xie F, Li C. Postglacial colonization of the Qinling Mountains: phylogeography of the swelled vent frog (Feirana quadranus). PLoS One 2012; 7:e41579. [PMID: 22848532 PMCID: PMC3405020 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 06/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The influence of Pleistocene climatic fluctuations on intraspecific diversification in the Qinling-Daba Mountains of East Asia remains poorly investigated. We tested hypotheses concerning refugia during the last glacial maximum (LGM) in this region by examining the phylogeography of the swelled vent frog (Feirana quadranus; Dicroglossidae, Anura, Amphibia). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We obtained complete mitochondrial ND2 gene sequences of 224 individuals from 34 populations of Feirana quadranus for phylogeographic analyses. Additionally, we obtained nuclear tyrosinase gene sequences of 68 F. quadranus, one F. kangxianensis and three F. taihangnica samples to test for mitochondrial introgression among them. Phylogenetic analyses based on all genes revealed no introgression among them. Phylogenetic analyses based on ND2 datasets revealed that F. quadranus was comprised of six lineages which were separated by deep valleys; the sole exception is that the Main Qinling and Micang-Western Qinling lineages overlap in distribution. Analyses of population structure indicated restricted gene flow among lineages. Coalescent simulations and divergence dating indicated that the basal diversification within F. quadranus may be associated with the dramatic uplifts of the Tibetan Plateau during the Pliocene. Coalescent simulations indicated that Wuling, Daba, and Western Qinling-Micang-Longmen Mountains were refugia for F. quadranus during the LGM. Demographic analyses indicated that the Daba lineage experienced population size increase prior to the LGM but the Main Qinling and the Micang-Western Qinling lineages expanded in population size and range after the LGM, and the other lineages almost have stable population size or slight slow population size decline. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The Qinling-Daba Mountains hosted three refugia for F. quadranus during the LGM. Populations that originated in the Daba Mountains colonized the Main Qinling Mountains after the LGM. Recent sharp expansion of the Micang-Western Qinling and Main Qinling lineages probably contribute to their present-day secondary contact.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianping Jiang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Feng Xie
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Li
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Schultheis AS, Booth JY, Perlmutter LR, Bond JE, Sheldon AL. Phylogeography and species biogeography of montane Great Basin stoneflies. Mol Ecol 2012; 21:3325-40. [PMID: 22612430 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2012.05599.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Sky islands are ideal systems for determining the effects of climatic oscillations on species distributions and genetic structure. Our study focused on montane stonefly populations in the Great Basin of western North America. We used niche-based distribution modelling, phylogeography and traditional species-based biogeography to test several hypotheses as follows: (i) genetic differentiation among Doroneuria baumanni populations will be independent of hydrologic connectivity (headwater model); (ii) Sky islands were colonized when habitat was more continuous and populations likely experienced multiple expansions and contractions; (iii) Colonization events were coincident with the late Pleistocene and Holocene; and (iv) Shared topography and climate history will result in concordant patterns of genetic differentiation in D. baumanni and occurrences of 32 stonefly species across the region. Overall, Φ(ST) 's and coalescent-based estimates of migration were consistent with the headwater model. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian gene trees identified three major nonoverlapping east-west clades. Distribution modelling indicated more suitable habitat in the Great Basin during the Last Glacial Maximum than at present, but none during the last interglacial period. Demographic analyses showed evidence of population expansion in one of the three major east-west clades. Intra-clade divergence times (60,000-183,000ybp) were well within the late Pleistocene while among-clade divergence times (499.000-719,000ybp) were deeper. Genetic differentiation in D. baumanni and distributions of stonefly species were significantly concordant. These results imply that climatic oscillations have played major roles in shaping the genetic structure and distributions of Great Basin stoneflies, but that divergence among clades occurred much earlier than our late Pleistocence/early Holocene predictions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia S Schultheis
- Department of Biology, Stetson University, 421 N. Woodland Blvd, DeLand, FL 32723, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Lu B, Zheng Y, Murphy RW, Zeng X. Coalescence patterns of endemic Tibetan species of stream salamanders (Hynobiidae:Batrachuperus). Mol Ecol 2012; 21:3308-24. [PMID: 22571598 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2012.05606.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Lu
- Department of Herpetology, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Concurrent speciation in the eastern woodland salamanders (Genus Plethodon): DNA sequences of the complete albumin nuclear and partial mitochondrial 12s genes. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2012; 63:278-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2011.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2011] [Revised: 12/16/2011] [Accepted: 12/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
44
|
BRANDLEY MATTHEWC, OTA HIDETOSHI, HIKIDA TSUTOMU, NIETO MONTES DE OCA ADRIÁN, FERÍA-ORTÍZ MANUEL, GUO XIANGUANG, WANG YUEZHAO. The phylogenetic systematics of blue-tailed skinks (Plestiodon) and the family Scincidae. Zool J Linn Soc 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2011.00801.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
45
|
Malaney JL, Frey JK, Cook JA. The biogeographic legacy of an imperilled taxon provides a foundation for assessing lineage diversification, demography and conservation genetics. DIVERS DISTRIB 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2011.00866.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
|
46
|
Shepard DB, Irwin KJ, Burbrink FT. Morphological Differentiation in Ouachita Mountain Endemic Salamanders. HERPETOLOGICA 2011. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-11-00023.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
47
|
WOOTEN JA, GIBBS HL. Niche divergence and lineage diversification among closely related Sistrurus rattlesnakes. J Evol Biol 2011; 25:317-28. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02426.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
48
|
Burbrink FT, Yao H, Ingrasci M, Bryson RW, Guiher TJ, Ruane S. Speciation at the Mogollon Rim in the Arizona Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2011; 60:445-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2011.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2011] [Revised: 05/06/2011] [Accepted: 05/13/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
49
|
Qu Y, Luo X, Zhang R, Song G, Zou F, Lei F. Lineage diversification and historical demography of a montane bird Garrulax elliotii--implications for the Pleistocene evolutionary history of the eastern Himalayas. BMC Evol Biol 2011; 11:174. [PMID: 21689460 PMCID: PMC3150279 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-11-174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2011] [Accepted: 06/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pleistocene climate fluctuations have shaped the patterns of genetic diversity observed in many extant species. In montane habitats, species' ranges may have expanded and contracted along an altitudinal gradient in response to environmental fluctuations leading to alternating periods of genetic isolation and connectivity. Because species' responses to climate change are influenced by interactions between species-specific characteristics and local topography, diversification pattern differs between species and locations. The eastern Himalayas is one of the world's most prominent mountain ranges. Its complex topography and environmental heterogeneity present an ideal system in which to study how climatic changes during Pleistocene have influenced species distributions, genetic diversification, and demography. The Elliot's laughing thrush (Garrulax elliotii) is largely restricted to high-elevation shrublands in eastern Himalayas. We used mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites to investigate how genetic diversity in this species was affected by Pleistocene glaciations. RESULTS Mitochondrial data detected two partially sympatric north-eastern and southern lineages. Microsatellite data, however, identified three distinct lineages congruent with the geographically separated southern, northern and eastern eco-subregions of the eastern Himalayas. Geographic breaks occur in steep mountains and deep valleys of the Kangding-Muli-Baoxin Divide. Divergence time estimates and coalescent simulations indicate that lineage diversification occurred on two different geographic and temporal scales; recent divergence, associated with geographic isolation into individual subregions, and historical divergence, associated with displacement into multiple refugia. Despite long-term isolation, genetic admixture among these subregional populations was observed, indicating historic periods of connectivity. The demographic history of Garrulax elliotii shows continuous population growth since late Pleistocene (about 0.125 mya). CONCLUSION While altitude-associated isolation is typical of many species in other montane regions, our results suggest that eco-subregions in the eastern Himalayas exhibiting island-like characteristics appear to have determined the diversification of Garrulax elliotii. During the Pleistocene, these populations became isolated on subregions during interglacial periods but were connected when these expanded to low altitude during cooler periods. The resultant genetic admixture of lineages might obscure pattern of genetic variation. Our results provide new insights into sky island diversification in a previously unstudied region, and further demonstrate that Pleistocene climatic changes can have profound effects on lineage diversification and demography in montane species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Qu
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xu Luo
- Faculty of Conservation Biology, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224, China
| | - Ruiying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Gang Song
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Fasheng Zou
- South China Institute of Endangered Animals, Guangzhou 510260, China
| | - Fumin Lei
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Shepard DB, Burbrink FT. Local-scale environmental variation generates highly divergent lineages associated with stream drainages in a terrestrial salamander, Plethodon caddoensis. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2011; 59:399-411. [PMID: 21414415 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2011.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2010] [Revised: 02/04/2011] [Accepted: 03/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Spatial and temporal heterogeneity in environmental factors can have profound effects on diversification in species that are tightly linked to their environments. The Caddo Mountain Salamander (Plethodon caddoensis) inhabits a unique physiographic section of the Ouachita Mountains in central North America, a region in which Pleistocene climatic fluctuations have been implicated in driving lineage diversification in two other closely related salamanders. We examined P. caddoensis to determine whether it was similarly impacted by historic climatic changes and test whether physiographic features unique to the area also contributed to its diversification. We found that P. caddoensis is composed of four highly divergent, geographically distinct lineages that abut one another along an east-west axis. Phylogeographic structure was significantly related to both geographic distance and stream drainages, indicating that connectivity of streams and stream-associated habitats (e.g., talus) influence patterns of interpopulation gene flow. Lineages originated during the Middle Miocene and population size decreased in all lineages during the Pleistocene. Surface Geology and precipitation were the most important variables predicting the species distribution. Our results show that the unique physiographic features of the area coupled with species response to climatic factors have driven lineage diversification and phylogeographic structure in P. caddoensis. Variation in responses to historic climatic fluctuations among salamander species in this region underscore the importance of integrating species ecology with other factors such as geology and hydrology in order to better understand the effects of climate change on species with close associations to their environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donald B Shepard
- College of Staten Island, City University of New York, Department of Biology, 2800 Victory Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10314, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|