1
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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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Daode Yang
- Institute of Wildlife Conservation, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, China
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2
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Fu J, Wen L. Impacts of Quaternary glaciation, geological history and geography on animal species history in continental East Asia: A phylogeographic review. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:4497-4514. [PMID: 37332105 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Continental East Asia has a mild Pleistocene climate and a complex recent geological history. Phylogeographic studies of animals over the last 30 years have produced several distinctive patterns. Glaciation refugia are numerous and are not restricted to any particular regions. Most of them are localized and species-specific, although several large refugia, for example the mountains of SW China, are shared by multiple species and have refugia-within-refugia. Furthermore, postglaciation range expansion events vary greatly in time, scale and direction. Large-scale south-to-north post-LGM expansions are few and mostly occurred in the northern regions. Additionally, several unique geographic features, including the three-step terrain of China and the northern arid belt, have significant impacts on many species histories. Overall, the impacts of Pleistocene glaciations, particularly the LGM, on species history vary drastically from nondetectable to significant. The impacts are the least for species from the southwestern region and are most dominant for species from the north. Geological events play a more significant role in shaping species history than Pleistocene climatic changes. Phylogeographic patterns among animals species are highly consistent with those of plants. Future phylogeographic endeavour in East Asia should be hypothesis-driven and seek processes that underlie common patterns. The wide use of genomic data allow accurate estimates of historical population processes and exploration of older history beyond the Pleistocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinzhong Fu
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Longying Wen
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
- Key Laboratory of Sichuan Institute for Protecting Endangered Birds in the Southwest Mountains, College of Life Sciences, Leshan Normal University, Leshan, China
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3
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Li J, Fu C, Ai Q, Xie S, Huang C, Zhao M, Fu J, Wu H. Whole-genome resequencing reveals complex effects of geographical-palaeoclimatic interactions on diversification of moustache toads in East Asia. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:644-659. [PMID: 36380736 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Geographical features and palaeoclimatic fluctuations are two classical evolutionary forces that shape genetic diversification within species. Fine-grained analysis of the mechanisms involved through population demographic processes, however, remains limited. Taking advantage of two recently published reference genomes, we resequenced the genomes and examined the evolutionary history of the moustache toads, a group endemic to East Asia where complex topography and fluctuating palaeoclimate are known to have had profound impacts on organisms. Moustache toads probably originated in southeast Yunnan, China, and diversified towards the northwestern of Yunnan, as well as central and eastern China. Further exploration based on three widespread species (Leptobrachium ailaonicum, L. boringii and L. liui) using demographic modelling and species distribution models revealed that mountains and river valleys in East Asia not only functioned as geographical barriers, but also provided dispersal corridors and facilitated continuous migration or post-glacial secondary contact among moustache toad populations. Furthermore, periodic oscillation of effective population sizes accompanying fluctuations of historical temperature and population contraction at the Last Glacial Maximum support the widespread impact of climatic changes of the Pleistocene on species diversification in East Asia. This impact was moderate for populations of L. ailaonicum and L. boringii in the southwestern mountains but severe for populations of L. liui in the eastern lowland regions of continental East Asia, which is supported by different degrees of change of their effective population sizes. Our findings reveal mechanisms underlying genetic diversification among moustache toads, and highlight the power of genomic data and demographic modelling for examining complex historical population-level processes and for understanding how geographical and palaeoclimatic factors interactively shape current intraspecific diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, International Research Centre of Ecology and Environment, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chao Fu
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, International Research Centre of Ecology and Environment, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qingbo Ai
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, International Research Centre of Ecology and Environment, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Siyu Xie
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, International Research Centre of Ecology and Environment, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chunhua Huang
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, International Research Centre of Ecology and Environment, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mian Zhao
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, International Research Centre of Ecology and Environment, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jinzhong Fu
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hua Wu
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, International Research Centre of Ecology and Environment, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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4
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Fu C, Ai Q, Cai L, Qiu F, Yao L, Wu H. Genetic Diversity and Population Dynamics of Leptobrachium leishanense (Anura: Megophryidae) as Determined by Tetranucleotide Microsatellite Markers Developed from Its Genome. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:3560. [PMID: 34944336 PMCID: PMC8698065 DOI: 10.3390/ani11123560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Persisting declination of amphibians around the world has resulted in the public attaching importance to the conservation of their biodiversity. Genetic data can be greatly helpful in conservation planning and management, especially in species that are small in size and hard to observe. It is essential to perform genetic assessments for the conservation of Leptobrachium leishanense, an endangered toad and receiving secondary protection on the list of state-protected wildlife in China. However, current molecular markers with low reliability and efficiency hinder studies. Here, we sampled 120 adult toes from the population in the Leishan Mountain, 23 of which were used to develop tetranucleotide microsatellite markers based on one reference L. leishanense genome. After primer optimization, stability detection, and polymorphism detection, we obtained 12 satisfactory microsatellite loci. Then, we used these loci to evaluate the genetic diversity and population dynamics of the 120 individuals. Our results show that there is a low degree of inbreeding in the population, and it has a high genetic diversity. Recently, the population has not experienced population bottlenecks, and the estimated effective population size was 424.3. Accordingly, stabilizing genetic diversity will be key to population sustainability. Recovering its habitat and avoiding intentional human use will be useful for conservation of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Hua Wu
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China; (C.F.); (Q.A.); (L.C.); (F.Q.); (L.Y.)
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5
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Luo Z, Wang X, Yang S, Cheng X, Liu Y, Hu J. Combining the responses of habitat suitability and connectivity to climate change for an East Asian endemic frog. Front Zool 2021; 18:14. [PMID: 33771163 PMCID: PMC7995727 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-021-00398-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding the impacts of past and contemporary climate change on biodiversity is critical for effective conservation. Amphibians have weak dispersal abilities, putting them at risk of habitat fragmentation and loss. Both climate change and anthropogenic disturbances exacerbate these risks, increasing the likelihood of additional amphibian extinctions in the near future. The giant spiny frog (Quasipaa spinosa), an endemic species to East Asia, has faced a dramatic population decline over the last few decades. Using the giant spiny frog as an indicator to explore how past and future climate changes affect landscape connectivity, we characterized the shifts in the suitable habitat and habitat connectivity of the frog. Results We found a clear northward shift and a reduction in the extent of suitable habitat during the Last Glacial Maximum for giant spiny frogs; since that time, there has been an expansion of the available habitat. Our modelling showed that “overwarm” climatic conditions would most likely cause a decrease in the available habitat and an increase in the magnitude of population fragmentation in the future. We found that the habitat connectivity of the studied frogs will decrease by 50–75% under future climate change. Our results strengthen the notion that the mountains in southern China and the Sino-Vietnamese transboundary regions can act as critical refugia and priority areas of conservation planning going forward. Conclusions Given that amphibians are highly sensitive to environmental changes, our findings highlight that the responses of habitat suitability and connectivity to climate change can be critical considerations in future conservation measures for species with weak dispersal abilities and should not be neglected, as they all too often are. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12983-021-00398-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Luo
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Xiaoyi Wang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 9 Section 4, Renmin Nan Road, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Shaofa Yang
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Xinlan Cheng
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Junhua Hu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 9 Section 4, Renmin Nan Road, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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6
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Zheng Y, Dai Q, Guo X, Zeng X. Dynamics behind disjunct distribution, hotspot-edge refugia, and discordant RADseq/mtDNA variability: insights from the Emei mustache toad. BMC Evol Biol 2020; 20:111. [PMID: 32859147 PMCID: PMC7456009 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-020-01675-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The distribution of genetic diversity and the underlying processes are important for conservation planning but are unknown for most species and have not been well studied in many regions. In East Asia, the Sichuan Basin and surrounding mountains constitute an understudied region that exhibits a “ring” of high species richness overlapping the eastern edge of the global biodiversity hotspot Mountains of Southwest China. We examine the distributional history and genetic diversification of the Emei mustache toad Leptobrachium boringii, a typical “ring” element characterized by disjunct ranges in the mountains, by integrating time-calibrated gene tree, genetic variability, individual-level clustering, inference of population splitting and mixing from allele frequencies, and paleoclimatic suitability modeling. Results The results reveal extensive range dynamics, including secondary contact after long-term isolation via westward dispersal accompanied by variability loss. They allow the proposal of a model that combines recurrent contractions caused by Quaternary climatic changes and some failed expansions under suitable conditions for explaining the shared disjunct distribution pattern. Providing exceptional low-elevation habitats in the hotspot area, the eastern edge harbors both long-term refugial and young immigrant populations. This finding and a synthesis of evidence from other taxa demonstrate that a certain contributor to biodiversity, one that preserves and receives low-elevation elements of the east in this case, can be significant for only a particular part of a hotspot. By clarifying the low variability of these refugial populations, we show that discordant mitochondrial estimates of diversity can be obtained for populations that experienced admixture, which would have unlikely left proportional immigrant alleles for each locus. Conclusions Dispersal after long-term isolation can explain much of the spatial distribution of genetic diversity in this species, while secondary contact and long-term persistence do not guarantee a large variation. The model for the formation of disjunct ranges may apply to many other taxa isolated in the mountains surrounding the Sichuan Basin. Furthermore, this study provides insights into the heterogeneous nature of hotspots and discordant variability obtained from genome-wide and mitochondrial data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchi Zheng
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #9 of Section 4, Ren-Min-Nan Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China. .,Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, 637009, Sichuan Province, China.
| | - Qiang Dai
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #9 of Section 4, Ren-Min-Nan Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xianguang Guo
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #9 of Section 4, Ren-Min-Nan Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Xiaomao Zeng
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #9 of Section 4, Ren-Min-Nan Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
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7
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Wei S, Li Z, Momigliano P, Fu C, Wu H, Merilä J. The roles of climate, geography and natural selection as drivers of genetic and phenotypic differentiation in a widespread amphibian Hyla annectans (Anura: Hylidae). Mol Ecol 2020; 29:3667-3683. [PMID: 32762086 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The role of geological events and Pleistocene climatic fluctuations as drivers of current patterns of genetic variation in extant species has been a topic of continued interest among evolutionary biologists. Nevertheless, comprehensive studies of widely distributed species are still rare, especially from Asia. Using geographically extensive sampling of many individuals and a large number of nuclear single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we studied the phylogeography and historical demography of Hyla annectans populations in southern China. Thirty-five sampled populations were grouped into seven clearly defined genetic clusters that closely match phenotype-based subspecies classification. These lineages diverged 2.32-5.23 million years ago (Ma), a timing that closely aligns with the rapid and drastic uplifting of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and adjacent southwest China. Demographic analyses and species distribution models indicate that different populations of this species have responded differently to past climatic changes. In the Hengduan Mountains, most populations experienced a bottleneck, whereas the populations located outside of the Hengduan Mountains have gradually declined in size since the end of the last glaciation. In addition, the levels of phenotypic and genetic divergence were strongly correlated across major clades. These results highlight the combined effects of geological events and past climatic fluctuations, as well as natural selection, as drivers of contemporary patterns of genetic and phenotypic variation in a widely distributed anuran in Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shichao Wei
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zitong Li
- Ecological Genetics Research Unit, Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paolo Momigliano
- Ecological Genetics Research Unit, Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Chao Fu
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hua Wu
- Institute of Evolution and Ecology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
| | - Juha Merilä
- Ecological Genetics Research Unit, Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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8
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Turvey ST, Marr MM, Barnes I, Brace S, Tapley B, Murphy RW, Zhao E, Cunningham AA. Historical museum collections clarify the evolutionary history of cryptic species radiation in the world's largest amphibians. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:10070-10084. [PMID: 31624538 PMCID: PMC6787787 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Inaccurate taxonomic assessment of threatened populations can hinder conservation prioritization and management, with human-mediated population movements obscuring biogeographic patterns and confounding reconstructions of evolutionary history. Giant salamanders were formerly distributed widely across China, and are interpreted as a single species, Andrias davidianus. Previous phylogenetic studies have identified distinct Chinese giant salamander lineages but were unable to associate these consistently with different landscapes, probably because population structure has been modified by human-mediated translocations for recent commercial farming. We investigated the evolutionary history and relationships of allopatric Chinese giant salamander populations with Next-Generation Sequencing methods, using historical museum specimens and late 20th-century samples, and retrieved partial or near-complete mitogenomes for 17 individuals. Samples from populations unlikely to have been affected by translocations form three clades from separate regions of China, spatially congruent with isolation by either major river drainages or mountain ranges. Pliocene-Pleistocene divergences for these clades are consistent with topographic modification of southern China associated with uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. General Mixed Yule Coalescent model analysis indicates that these clades represent separate species: Andrias davidianus (Blanchard, 1871) (northern Yangtze/Sichuan), Andrias sligoi (Boulenger, 1924) (Pearl/Nanling), and an undescribed species (Huangshan). Andrias sligoi is possibly the world's largest amphibian. Inclusion of additional reportedly wild samples from areas of known giant salamander exploitation and movement leads to increasing loss of biogeographic signal. Wild Chinese giant salamander populations are now critically depleted or extirpated, and conservation actions should be updated to recognize the existence of multiple species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ian Barnes
- Earth Sciences DepartmentNatural History MuseumLondonUK
| | - Selina Brace
- Earth Sciences DepartmentNatural History MuseumLondonUK
| | | | - Robert W. Murphy
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation BiologyRoyal Ontario MuseumTorontoOntarioCanada
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of ZoologyChinese Academy of SciencesKunmingChina
| | - Ermi Zhao
- Chengdu Institute of BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesChengduChina
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9
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Zheng Y, Hu J, Zeng X. Examining the interglacial high-elevation refugia scenario in East Asian subtropical mountain systems with the frog species Leptobrachium liui. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:9326-9340. [PMID: 30377504 PMCID: PMC6194219 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2018] [Revised: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The effects of Quaternary climatic oscillations on the distributions of organisms in different parts of the world are not equally well understood, limiting the ability to understand the determinants of biodiversity. Compared with the mountain regions in southern Europe and southwestern North America, such effects on high-elevation species in the East Asian subtropical mountain systems located in southern and southeastern China have seldom been addressed. In this study, using Leptobrachium liui (Megophryidae), we made one of the earliest attempts to examine the interglacial high-elevation refugia scenario in these Asian mountains. Based on our current understanding of the study system, we formulated a hypothesis that these frogs of western origin were distributed more widely and continuously during glacial phases, allowing eastward dispersal, and that they are currently isolated in interglacial refugia at higher elevations. Microsatellite data and mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data were obtained with extensive sampling followed by the synthesis of phylogeographic and population genetic analyses and modeling of the species distribution. The analyses revealed a sequential eastward divergence of microsatellite clusters and gene lineages accompanied by a decline in genetic diversity. Molecular dating estimates revealed divergence events in the Pleistocene, and a reduction in local populations was inferred to have occurred at a time comparable to the end of the last glacial. Strong genetic isolation by distance reflecting a more continuous historical distribution was detected. Furthermore, environmental niche models inferred a wide planar distribution during the last glacial maximum, providing further support for the hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchi Zheng
- Department of HerpetologyChengdu Institute of BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesChengduChina
| | - Junhua Hu
- Department of HerpetologyChengdu Institute of BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesChengduChina
| | - Xiaomao Zeng
- Department of HerpetologyChengdu Institute of BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesChengduChina
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10
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Pawangkhanant P, Poyarkov NA, Duong TV, Naiduangchan M, Suwannapoom C. A new species of Leptobrachium (Anura, Megophryidae) from western Thailand. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5584. [PMID: 30186706 PMCID: PMC6120444 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a new species of the genus Leptobrachium from the Khao Laem Mountain, Suan Phung District, Ratchaburi Province, Tenasserim Region, western Thailand, based on molecular and morphological evidences. The new species, Leptobrachium tenasserimense sp. nov., can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) adult SVL of 41.4–58.8 mm in males and 54.7–58.6 mm in females; (2) rounded finger and toe tips; (3) relative finger lengths: II<IV<I<III; relative toe lengths: I<II<V<III<IV; (4) toe webbing thick and well developed; (5) inner metatarsal tubercle small; (6) iris bicolored, black ventrally and turquoise dorsally, with light blue sclera; (7) dorsum brown to grey with distinct darker markings edged with brown; (8) belly and limbs ventrally whitish with contrasting confluent black reticulations; (9) tympanum mostly free of dark marking; (10) narrow dark canthal stripe present; (11) lateral row of dark spots absent; (12) limbs dorsally with distinct dark bars; tibia with four to five dark transverse bars; (13) dense dark reticulation or large dark blotch at groin continuing to ventral and posterior sides of thighs; (14) femoral gland in shape of large white blotch; (15) males with single vocal sac, mature males lack lip spinules. Our study provides further evidence for a hidden biodiversity of montane areas of Tenasserim Region on the border of Thailand and Myanmar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parinya Pawangkhanant
- Division of Fishery, School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
| | - Nikolay A Poyarkov
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Laboratory of Tropical Ecology, Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Center, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tang Van Duong
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Vietnam National Museum of Nature, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | | | - Chatmongkon Suwannapoom
- Division of Fishery, School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
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