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1.
Conserv Genet ; 24(1): 125-136, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36694805

ABSTRACT

There are only about 7,100 adolescent and adult cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) remaining in the wild. With the majority occurring outside protected areas, their numbers are rapidly declining. Evidence-based conservation measures are essential for the survival of this species. Genetic data is routinely used to inform conservation strategies, e.g., by establishing conservation units (CU). A commonly used marker in conservation genetics is mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Here, we investigated the cheetah's phylogeography using a large-scale mtDNA data set to refine subspecies distributions and better assign individuals to CUs. Our dataset mostly consisted of historic samples to cover the cheetah's whole range as the species has been extinct in most of its former distribution. While our genetic data largely agree with geography-based subspecies assignments, several geographic regions show conflicting mtDNA signals. Our analyses support previous findings that evolutionary forces such as incomplete lineage sorting or mitochondrial capture likely confound the mitochondrial phylogeography of this species, especially in East and, to some extent, in Northeast Africa. We caution that subspecies assignments solely based on mtDNA should be treated carefully and argue for an additional standardized nuclear single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker set for subspecies identification and monitoring. However, the detection of the A. j. soemmeringii specific haplogroup by a newly designed Amplification-Refractory Mutation System (ARMS) can already provide support for conservation measures. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10592-022-01483-1.

2.
Mol Biol Evol ; 38(5): 1905-1923, 2021 05 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33386846

ABSTRACT

For organisms to survive and prosper in a harsh environment, particularly under rapid climate change, poses tremendous challenges. Recent studies have highlighted the continued loss of megafauna in terrestrial ecosystems and the subsequent surge of small mammals, such as rodents, bats, lagomorphs, and insectivores. However, the ecological partitioning of these animals will likely lead to large variation in their responses to environmental change. In the present study, we investigated the evolutionary history and genetic adaptations of white-bellied rats (Niviventer Marshall, 1976), which are widespread in the natural terrestrial ecosystems in Asia but also known as important zoonotic pathogen vectors and transmitters. The southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was inferred as the origin center of this genus, with parallel diversification in temperate and tropical niches. Demographic history analyses from mitochondrial and nuclear sequences of Niviventer demonstrated population size increases and range expansion for species in Southeast Asia, and habitat generalists elsewhere. Unexpectedly, population increases were seen in N. eha, which inhabits the highest elevation among Niviventer species. Genome scans of nuclear exons revealed that among the congeneric species, N. eha has the largest number of positively selected genes. Protein functions of these genes are mainly related to olfaction, taste, and tumor suppression. Extensive genetic modification presents a major strategy in response to global changes in these alpine species.


Subject(s)
Animal Distribution , Climate Change , Genetic Speciation , Murinae/genetics , Phylogeny , Altitude , Animals , Climate , Phylogeography , Selection, Genetic
3.
Mol Ecol ; 31(16): 4208-4223, 2022 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35748392

ABSTRACT

We live in a world characterized by biodiversity loss and global environmental change. The extinction of large carnivores can have ramifying effects on ecosystems like an uncontrolled increase in wild herbivores, which in turn can have knock-on impacts on vegetation regeneration and communities. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) serve important ecosystem functions as apex predators; yet, they are quickly heading towards an uncertain future. Threatened by habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and illegal trafficking, there are only approximately 7100 individuals remaining in nature. We present the most comprehensive genome-wide analysis of cheetah phylogeography and conservation genomics to date, assembling samples from nearly the entire current and past species' range. We show that their phylogeography is more complex than previously thought, and that East African cheetahs (A. j. raineyi) are genetically distinct from Southern African individuals (A. j. jubatus), warranting their recognition as a distinct subspecies. We found strong genetic differentiation between all classically recognized subspecies, thus refuting earlier findings that cheetahs show only little differentiation. The strongest differentiation was observed between the Asiatic and all the African subspecies. We detected high inbreeding in the Critically Endangered Iranian (A. j. venaticus) and North-western (A. j. hecki) subspecies, and show that overall cheetahs, along with snow leopards, have the lowest genome-wide heterozygosity of all the big cats. This further emphasizes the cheetah's perilous conservation status. Our results provide novel and important information on cheetah phylogeography that can support evidence-based conservation policy decisions to help protect this species. This is especially relevant in light of ongoing and proposed translocations across subspecies boundaries, and the increasing threats of illegal trafficking.


Subject(s)
Acinonyx , Acinonyx/genetics , Animals , Ecosystem , Genome , Genomics , Humans , Iran
4.
Heredity (Edinb) ; 122(2): 205-218, 2019 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29959426

ABSTRACT

Because of their role in immune defense against pathogens, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are useful in evolutionary studies on how wild vertebrates adapt to their environments. We investigated the molecular evolution of MHC class I (MHCI) genes in four closely related species of Eurasian badgers, genus Meles. All four species of badgers showed similarly high variation in MHCI sequences compared to other Carnivora. We identified 7-21 putatively functional MHCI sequences in each of the badger species, and 2-7 sequences per individual, indicating the existence of 1-4 loci. MHCI exon 2 and 3 sequences encoding domains α1 and α2 exhibited different clade topologies in phylogenetic networks. Non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions at codons for antigen-binding sites exceeded synonymous substitutions for domain α1 but not for domain α2, suggesting that the domains α1 and α2 likely had different evolutionary histories in these species. Positive selection and recombination seem to have shaped the variation in domain α2, whereas positive selection was dominant in shaping the variation in domain α1. In the separate phylogenetic analyses for exon 2, exon 3, and intron 2, each showed three clades of Meles alleles, with rampant trans-species polymorphism, indicative of the long-term maintenance of ancestral MHCI polymorphism by balancing selection.


Subject(s)
Evolution, Molecular , Genes, MHC Class I , Mustelidae/genetics , Alleles , Animals , Exons , Genetic Variation , Mustelidae/classification , Phylogeny , Polymorphism, Genetic , Recombination, Genetic
5.
Mol Biol Evol ; 30(7): 1644-52, 2013 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23619144

ABSTRACT

To further elucidate the migration history of the brown bears (Ursus arctos) on Hokkaido Island, Japan, we analyzed the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences of 35 brown bears from Hokkaido, the southern Kuril Islands (Etorofu and Kunashiri), Sakhalin Island, and the Eurasian Continent (continental Russia, Bulgaria, and Tibet), and those of four polar bears. Based on these sequences, we reconstructed the maternal phylogeny of the brown bear and estimated divergence times to investigate the timing of brown bear migrations, especially in northeastern Eurasia. Our gene tree showed the mtDNA haplotypes of all 73 brown and polar bears to be divided into eight divergent lineages. The brown bear on Hokkaido was divided into three lineages (central, eastern, and southern). The Sakhalin brown bear grouped with eastern European and western Alaskan brown bears. Etorofu and Kunashiri brown bears were closely related to eastern Hokkaido brown bears and could have diverged from the eastern Hokkaido lineage after formation of the channel between Hokkaido and the southern Kuril Islands. Tibetan brown bears diverged early in the eastern lineage. Southern Hokkaido brown bears were closely related to North American brown bears.


Subject(s)
DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics , Mitochondria/genetics , Phylogeography , Ursidae/genetics , Animals , Asia , Evolution, Molecular , Haplotypes , Sequence Analysis, DNA
6.
Zootaxa ; 5405(4): 545-561, 2024 Feb 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38480171

ABSTRACT

Hylophthirus spinosus, new genus and new species (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Enderleinellidae), is described from specimens collected from the particoloured flying squirrel, Hylopetes alboniger in Khammouane Province, Laos (Lao Peoples Democratic Republic). Both sexes of the new louse are illustrated with stacked microphotographs, scanning electron micrographs and line drawings. An updated morphological identification key to the six genera (Atopophthirus, Enderleinellus, Hylophthirus, Microphthirus, Phthirunculus and Werneckia) now recognised within the family Enderleinellidae is presented. The new genus is unique within the Enderleinellidae in having massive spines (modified setae) on some abdominal sternites, partially bulbous 5th antennal segments, mesothoracic spiracles borne on protuberances and the morphology of the genitalia of both sexes. Tables showing all genera of sucking lice that include species parasitising sciurids (squirrels, chipmunks, susliks and marmots), and all known species of enderleinellids, with their known host associations and geographical distributions are included and briefly discussed in relation to the new genus and species.


Subject(s)
Anoplura , Lice Infestations , Phthiraptera , Rodent Diseases , Female , Male , Animals , Anoplura/anatomy & histology , Laos , Sciuridae , Lice Infestations/veterinary
7.
Zootaxa ; 3681: 44-58, 2013.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25232583

ABSTRACT

The Eurasian badgers (Meles spp.) are widespread in the Palaearctic Region, occurring from the British Islands in the west to the Japanese Islands in the east, including the Scandinavia, Southwest Asia and southern China. The morphometric variation in 30 cranial characters of 692 skulls of Meles from across the Palaearctic was here analyzed. This craniometric analysis revealed a significant difference between the European and Asian badger phylogenetic lineages, which can be further split in two pairs of taxa: meles - canescens and leucurus - anakuma. Overall, European badger populations are very similar morphologically, particularly with regards to the skull shape, but differ notably from those from Asia Minor, the Middle East and Transcaucasia. Based on the current survey of badger specimens available in main world museums, we have recognized four distinctive, parapatric species: Meles meles, found in most of Europe; Meles leucurus from continental Asia; M. anakuma from Japan; and M. canescens from Southwest Asia and the mountains of Middle Asia. These results are in agreement with those based on recent molecular data analyses. The morphological peculiarities and distribution range of M. canescens are discussed. The origin and evolution of Meles species, which is yet poorly understood, is also briefly discussed.


Subject(s)
Mustelidae/classification , Skull/anatomy & histology , Animal Distribution , Animals , Asia , Biological Evolution , Cephalometry , Europe , Female , Male , Mustelidae/anatomy & histology , Mustelidae/genetics , Phylogeny
8.
Zoolog Sci ; 28(4): 293-303, 2011 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21466348

ABSTRACT

In the present study, to further understand the phylogenetic relationships among the Eurasian badgers (Meles, Mustelidae, Carnivora), which are distributed widely in the Palearctic, partial sequences of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (539-545 base-pairs) as a maternal genetic marker, and the sex-determining region on the Y-chromosome gene (SRY: 1052-1058 base-pairs), as a paternal genetic marker, were examined. The present study revealed ten SRY haplotypes from 47 males of 112 individuals of the Eurasian Continent and Japan. In addition, 39 mtDNA haplotypes were identified from those animals. From the phylogeography of both the uniparentally inherited genes, four lineages were recognized as Japanese, eastern Eurasian, Caucasian, and western Eurasian. The distribution patterns of the mtDNA lineages showed the existence of a sympatric zone between the eastern and western Eurasian lineages around the Volga River in western Russia. Furthermore, the present study suggested that in the Japanese badgers, the larger genetic differentiation of the Shikoku population was attributable to geographic history in the Japanese islands.


Subject(s)
DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics , Genes, sry , Mustelidae/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic , Animals , Armenia , Base Sequence , Female , Genetic Markers , Haplotypes , Japan , Male , Molecular Sequence Data , Mustelidae/classification , Phylogeny , Phylogeography , Russia , Sequence Alignment
9.
Zootaxa ; 5006(1): 13-25, 2021 Jul 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34810591

ABSTRACT

An annotated checklist of the insectivorous mammals (order Eulipotyphla) of Laos is presented for the first time. The checklist is based on an extensive literature review and an examination of available museum specimens from world collections. Confirmed fauna of eulipotyphlans includes 11 species from 7 genera and 3 families. Additionally, several species which are known from neighbouring countries and could potentially occur in Laos are included in this checklist. According to these data, the Laotian fauna can include at least 23 species in 11 genera.


Subject(s)
Mammals , Museums , Animals , Laos
10.
Mamm Res ; 66(2): 371-383, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33747753

ABSTRACT

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes have been widely studied to assess the immunological fitness and evolutionary adaptation of animal populations. Among the Canidae, the raccoon dog's adventurous nature, omnivorous behavior, and high variability of intracellular pathogens make it ideal to study selection on MHC class I in a non-model canid species. Here, we examined allelic diversity and evolutionary patterns of MHC class I genes in the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides). We identified 48 novel MHC class I alleles from 31 raccoon dogs from Japan and Russia. Some alleles were geographically restricted, whereas others were widely distributed across the species' range. The rate of non-synonymous substitutions was greater than that of synonymous substitutions for both exon 2 and exon 3 encoding α1 and α2 domains, respectively, in the α chain of the MHC class I protein. Positively selected sites at the amino acid level were evident in both the α1 and α2 domains, and a recombination breakpoint was found in exon 3. Bayesian phylogenetic trees showed no evidence of trans-species polymorphism (TSP) with alleles from carnivoran species in other families but did detect TSP between raccoon dogs and the domestic dog, Canis familiaris, indicative of long-term balancing selection in canids. Our results indicate that the extensive allelic diversity of MHC class I in Japanese and Russian raccoon dogs has been influenced and maintained by pathogen-driven positive selection, recombination, and long-term balancing selection. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13364-021-00561-y.

11.
Evol Appl ; 14(9): 2286-2304, 2021 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34603499

ABSTRACT

Introgressive hybridization can pose a serious threat to endangered species which have an overlapping distribution such as in the case of two polecat species, Mustela eversmanii and M. putorius, in Europe. The population size of steppe polecat is known to continuously shrink, whereas its sister species, the European polecat, is still somehow widespread. In this study, we perform an analysis using microsatellite (SSR) and genomic (SNP) data sets to identify natural hybrids between polecats. Four populations were genotyped for eight polymorphic SSR loci, and thousands of unlinked SNPs were generated using a reduced-representation sequencing approach, RADseq, to characterize the genetic make-up of allopatric populations and to identify hybrids in the sympatric area. We applied standard population genetic analyses to characterize the populations based on their SSR allelic frequency. Only a single sample out of 48 sympatric samples showed exact intermediacy that we identified as an F1 hybrid. Additionally, one specimen was indicated in the genomic data sets as backcrossed. Other backcrosses, indicated by SSRs, were not validated by SNPs, which highlights the higher efficacy of the genomic method to identify backcrossed individuals. The low frequency of hybridization suggests that the difference in habitat preference of the two species may act as a barrier to admixture. Therefore, it is apparently unlikely that polecat populations are threatened by significant introgression. The two species showed a clear genetic differentiation using both techniques. We found higher genetic diversity values in the sympatric steppe polecat population than in the other studies on polecat populations. Although M. putorius is a hunted species in most countries, genetic diversity values indicate worse conditions in Europe than in the protected sibling species M. eversmanii. Suspending hunting and providing protected status of the former seems to be reasonable and timely.

12.
Zoolog Sci ; 27(12): 939-45, 2010 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21110720

ABSTRACT

In order to clarify the morphological differences between two subspecies of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) on the Japanese Islands and test the validity of Bergmann's rule, we examined geographical variations in 25 cranial and 24 dental characters in V. v. schrencki from Hokkaido and V. v. japonica from the other main islands of Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu). Many skull measurements, including the male greatest length, condylobasal length, and the length of upper and lower tooth rows, were significantly larger for V. v. japonica than for V. v. schrencki, whereas most tooth measurements, especially the length of molars and premolars, in V. v. schrencki were larger than those in V. v. japonica. Although the two subspecies were morphologically well-differentiated from each other, the results did not support that they have evolved following Bergmann's rule of adaptation to cold climates. Based on consideration of the relatively large differences of their tooth sizes, which are not easily influenced by food abundance, and previous genetic research on the different migration histories of the two subspecies, the morphological differences detected in the present study may have resulted not only from the present ecological differences between the two subspecies, but also from the difference of migration history and evolutionary constraints.


Subject(s)
Foxes/anatomy & histology , Skull/anatomy & histology , Animals , Demography , Female , Foxes/classification , Japan , Male , Sex Characteristics , Tooth/anatomy & histology
13.
Mol Ecol ; 18(9): 1963-79, 2009 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19434812

ABSTRACT

The brown bear has proved a useful model for studying Late Quaternary mammalian phylogeography. However, information is lacking from northern continental Eurasia, which constitutes a large part of the species' current distribution. We analysed mitochondrial DNA sequences (totalling 1943 bp) from 205 bears from northeast Europe and Russia in order to characterize the maternal phylogeography of bears in this region. We also estimated the formation times of the sampled brown bear lineages and those of its extinct relative, the cave bear. Four closely related haplogroups belonging to a single mitochondrial subclade were identified in northern continental Eurasia. Several haplotypes were found throughout the whole study area, while one haplogroup was restricted to Kamchatka. The haplotype network, estimated divergence times and various statistical tests indicated that bears in northern continental Eurasia recently underwent a sudden expansion, preceded by a severe bottleneck. This brown bear population was therefore most likely founded by a small number of bears that were restricted to a single refuge area during the last glacial maximum. This pattern has been described previously for other mammal species and as such may represent one general model for the phylogeography of Eurasian mammals. Bayesian divergence time estimates are presented for different brown and cave bear clades. Moreover, our results demonstrate the extent of substitution rate variation occurring throughout the phylogenetic tree, highlighting the need for appropriate calibration when estimating divergence times.


Subject(s)
Evolution, Molecular , Genetics, Population , Ursidae/genetics , Animals , DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics , Demography , Europe , Genetic Variation , Geography , Haplotypes , Models, Genetic , Phylogeny , Population Dynamics , Russia , Sequence Analysis, DNA
14.
Zookeys ; 888: 133-158, 2019.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31754323

ABSTRACT

The first genetic study of the holotype of the Gansu short-tailed shrew, Blarinella griselda Thomas, 1912, is presented. The mitochondrial analysis demonstrated that the type specimen of B. griselda is close to several recently collected specimens from southern Gansu, northern Sichuan and Shaanxi, which are highly distinct from the two species of Asiatic short-tailed shrews of southern Sichuan, Yunnan, and Vietnam, B. quadraticauda and B. wardi. Our analysis of four nuclear genes supported the placement of B. griselda as sister to B. quadraticauda / B. wardi, with the level of divergence between these two clades corresponding to that among genera of Soricinae. A new generic name, Parablarinella, is proposed for the Gansu short-tailed shrew. Karyotypes of Parablarinella griselda (2n = 49, NFa = 50) and B. quadraticauda (2n = 49, NFa = 62) from southern Gansu are described. The tribal affinities of Blarinellini and Blarinini are discussed.

15.
Zool Stud ; 57: e14, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31966254

ABSTRACT

Alexei V. Abramov, Andrey Yu. Puzachenko, and Ryuichi Masuda (2018) Morphometric variation in 23 cranial characters of 555 Siberian weasels (Mustela sibirica) was studied across its whole distribution range. Most of the distribution range in Siberia and China is occupied by medium-sized weasels, whereas the eastern part of the species range - including the Russian Far East, Korea and eastern China - is occupied by the larger form. Specimens from the Pacific islands (Jeju and Tsushima) were morphologically closely related to the western form of M. sibirica than to the neighboring continental weasels. The western form can be treated as nominotypical subspecies M. s. sibirica Pallas, 1773, whereas the eastern form can be treated as M. s. manchurica Brass, 1911. Small-sized weasels from the eastern Himalayan area (Myanmar and southwestern China) form a distinct group within M. sibirica, and they were treated as a subspecies; M. s. moupinensis (Milne- Edwards, 1874). Specimens from the western Himalayas (Kashmir, Nepal and Sikkim) are morphologically distinct from all other populations of Mustela sibirica and can be treated as a separate species Mustela subhemachalana Hodgson, 1837.

16.
Zookeys ; (795): 77-81, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30429659

ABSTRACT

The Hainan gymnure Neohylomyshainanensis (Mammalia, Lipotyphla), endemic to Hainan Island (China), is one of the rarest and least-known species within the family Galericidae. The IUCN Red List inferred it as an endangered species due to ongoing population decline caused by natural habitat loss. A recent biodiversity survey has revealed N.hainanensis to be rather common in northern Vietnam. This is the first record of the species outside Hainan Island. New data have allowed us to re-assess the conservation status of this poorly known mammal. The occurrence of N.hainanensis in mainland Vietnam also supports the hypothesis that Hainan Island could have been previously connected to Guangxi and northern Vietnam rather than to neighbouring Guangdong.

17.
Comp Cytogenet ; 12(3): 361-372, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30275928

ABSTRACT

Gymnures are an ancient group of small insectivorous mammals and are characterized by a controversial taxonomic status and the lack of a description of karyotypes for certain species. In this study, conventional cytogenetic techniques (Giemsa, CBG- and GTG-banding, Ag-NOR), CMA3-DAPI staining, and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with telomeric DNA probes were used to examine for the first time the karyotypes of lesser gymnures of group Hylomyssuillus Müller, 1840 from northern and southern Vietnam. All studied specimens had karyotypes with 2n=48, NFa=64. C-positive heterochromatic blocks existed in centromeric regions of 7 bi-armed autosomes and the submetacentric X chromosome. The Y chromosome is a C-positive and dot-like. The nucleolus organizer regions resided terminally on the short arms of 2 small bi-armed pairs. Positive signals at the telomeres of all chromosomes were revealed by FISH. CMA3-positive blocks were localized on the telomeric and pericentric regions of most bi-armed and acrocentric chromosomes. Despite the large genetic distances between Hylomys Müller, 1840, lesser gymnures from H.suillus-group from northern and southern Vietnam have similar karyotypic characteristics.

18.
Science ; 359(6379): 1033-1036, 2018 Mar 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29449510

ABSTRACT

Maintenance of biodiversity in a rapidly changing climate will depend on the efficacy of evolutionary rescue, whereby population declines due to abrupt environmental change are reversed by shifts in genetically driven adaptive traits. However, a lack of traits known to be under direct selection by anthropogenic climate change has limited the incorporation of evolutionary processes into global conservation efforts. In 21 vertebrate species, some individuals undergo a seasonal color molt from summer brown to winter white as camouflage against snow, whereas other individuals remain brown. Seasonal snow duration is decreasing globally, and fitness is lower for winter white animals on snowless backgrounds. Based on 2713 georeferenced samples of known winter coat color-from eight species across trophic levels-we identify environmentally driven clinal gradients in winter coat color, including polymorphic zones where winter brown and white morphs co-occur. These polymorphic zones, underrepresented by existing global protected area networks, indicate hot spots for evolutionary rescue in a changing climate.


Subject(s)
Biodiversity , Biological Mimicry , Climate Change , Molting , Pigmentation , Animals , Seasons , Vertebrates
19.
Zootaxa ; 4232(2): zootaxa.4232.2.5, 2017 Feb 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28264392

ABSTRACT

We analyzed the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene and fragments of four nuclear loci: ApoB, RAG2, IRBP1 and BRCA1. These data allowed us to provide new insights into the diversity of the Asiatic water shrews of Indochina. A new, highly divergent genetic lineage of Chimarrogale was found in southern Vietnam, and this lineage included specimens from the provinces of Kon Tum, Dak Lak, and Lam Dong. Such finding represents the newest and southernmost records of Chimarrogale in Indochina. Morphological analysis classified the specimens from southern Vietnam as C. varennei proper, which is restricted to that region, whereas the polymorphic C. himalayica, which contained at least four cytochrome b haplogroups, occurred in central and northern Vietnam and southern China. This distinct C. varennei lineage closely related to the C. platycephalus + C. leander clade suggests the existence of an unknown glacial refuge in Tay Nguyen Plateau, southern Vietnam. Because the Bornean C. phaeura (i) was sister-group of the rest of Chimarrogale sensu lato and (ii) had a high genetic divergence (~15% for cytochrome b) and geographical isolation, we suggest that C. phaeura be placed into a separate genus, Crossogale Thomas, 1921. This genus should also include C. sumatrana (Sumatra) and C. hantu (Peninsular Malaysia). On those grounds, we propose a new classification system for Asiatic water shrews.


Subject(s)
Sequence Analysis, DNA , Shrews , Animals , Asia, Southeastern , China , DNA, Mitochondrial , Female , Phylogeny , Vietnam
20.
Zoological Lett ; 3: 21, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29214050

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sex-biased dispersal is widespread among mammals, including the brown bear (Ursus arctos). Previous phylogeographic studies of the brown bear based on maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA have shown intraspecific genetic structuring around the northern hemisphere. The brown bears on Hokkaido Island, northern Japan, comprise three distinct maternal lineages that presumably immigrated to the island from the continent in three different periods. Here, we investigate the paternal genetic structure across northeastern Asia and assess the connectivity among and within intraspecific populations in terms of male-mediated gene flow. RESULTS: We analyzed paternally inherited Y-chromosomal DNA sequence data and Y-linked microsatellite data of 124 brown bears from Hokkaido, the southern Kuril Islands (Kunashiri and Etorofu), Sakhalin, and continental Eurasia (Kamchatka Peninsula, Ural Mountains, European Russia, and Tibet). The Hokkaido brown bear population is paternally differentiated from, and lacked recent genetic connectivity with, the continental Eurasian and North American populations. We detected weak spatial genetic structuring of the paternal lineages on Hokkaido, which may have arisen through male-mediated gene flow among natal populations. In addition, our results suggest that the different dispersal patterns between male and female brown bears, combined with the founder effect and subsequent genetic drift, contributed to the makeup of the Etorofu Island population, in which the maternal and paternal lineages show different origins. CONCLUSIONS: Brown bears on Hokkaido and the adjacent southern Kuril Islands experienced different maternal and paternal evolutionary histories. Our results indicate that sex-biased dispersal has played a significant role in the evolutionary history of the brown bear in continental populations and in peripheral insular populations, such as on Hokkaido, the southern Kuril Islands, and Sakhalin.

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