A New Phylogeographic Pattern of Endemic Bufo bankorensis in Taiwan Island Is Attributed to the Genetic Variation of Populations

Abstract

AimTo comprehend the phylogeographic patterns of genetic variation in anurans at Taiwan Island, this study attempted to examine (1) the existence of various geological barriers (Central Mountain Ranges, CMRs); and (2) the genetic variation of Bufo bankorensis using mtDNA sequences among populations located in different regions of Taiwan, characterized by different climates and existing under extreme conditions when compared available sequences of related species B. gargarizans of mainland China.Methodology/Principal FindingsPhylogenetic analyses of the dataset with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop gene (348 bp) recovered a close relationship between B. bankorensis and B. gargarizans, identified three distinct lineages. Furthermore, the network of mtDNA D-loop gene (564 bp) amplified (279 individuals, 27 localities) from Taiwan Island indicated three divergent clades within B. bankorensis (Clade W, E and S), corresponding to the geography, thereby verifying the importance of the CMRs and Kaoping River drainage as major biogeographic barriers. Mismatch distribution analysis, neutrality tests and Bayesian skyline plots revealed that a significant population expansion occurred for the total population and Clade W, with horizons dated to approximately 0.08 and 0.07 Mya, respectively. These results suggest that the population expansion of Taiwan Island species B. bankorensis might have resulted from the release of available habitat in post-glacial periods, the genetic variation on mtDNA showing habitat selection, subsequent population dispersal, and co-distribution among clades.ConclusionsThe multiple origins (different clades) of B. bankorensis mtDNA sequences were first evident in this study. The divergent genetic clades found within B. bankorensis could be independent colonization by previously diverged lineages; inferring B. bankorensis originated from B. gargarizans of mainland China, then dispersal followed by isolation within Taiwan Island. Highly divergent clades between W and E of B. bankorensis, implies that the CMRs serve as a genetic barrier and separated the whole island into the western and eastern phylogroups.

Does infraspecific taxonomy match species evolutionary history? A phylogeographic study of Arundo formosana (Poaceae)

“…This central mountain range has acted as a barrier for most of the 25 plant and animal taxa studied in Taiwan-wide phylogeographic evaluations (e.g. Toda et al, 1998;Wang, Hsu & Chiang, 2000;Huang, Hwang & Lin, 2002;Cheng, Hwang & Lin, 2005;Oshida et al, 2006;Wu et al, 2006aWu et al, , 2007Jang-Liaw, Lee & Chou, 2008;Kuo et al, 2014;Yu, Lin & Weng, 2014).…”

Subspecific Differentiation Events of Montane Stag Beetles (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) Endemic to Formosa Island

“…plants, ground beetles, and stag beetles [ 12 , 81 – 84 ]. The CMR is another major geographic barrier for genetic differentiation of extant organisms in populations of plants, fishes, frogs, toads, bats, crabs, and stag beetles [ 12 , 35 , 37 , 85 – 88 ], subspecies of damselflies [ 34 ], and species of snails, fishes, tree frogs, lizards, crabs, crickets, and carabids [ 56 , 83 , 84 , 89 – 94 ]. Hypotheses regarding the evolutionary history, under the hindrance of CMR and periodical glaciations during Pleistocene, for the montane stag beetles exhibiting morphological variations in this study were proposed.…”

“…Xueshan Range, Yushan Range, and Alishan Range. These mountain ranges have also been suggested as an important vicariant barrier for the speciation and population differentiation of many organisms, such as fishes, salamanders, toads, crabs, damselflies, and stag beetles during glaciations [ 12 , 28 , 31 – 37 ]. The most interesting case relates to the recognition of two geographic subspecies for some endemic insects, such as butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies, and stag beetles on this island [ 12 , 34 , 38 – 40 ].…”

Taxonomic revision of Aegista subchinensis (Möllendorff, 1884) (Stylommatophora, Bradybaenidae) and a description of a new species of Aegista from eastern Taiwan based on multilocus phylogeny and comparative morphology

“…The Lanyang River was a biogeographic barrier for a high elevation mammal, Formosan wood mouse Apodemos semotus ( Hsu et al 2001 ). Some researchers identified the Xueshan Mountain Range, located in the northern area of Lanyang River, as a biogeographic barrier for lowland animals ( Lin et al 2012 , Shih et al 2011 , Yu et al 2014 ). To our knowledge, this is the first study revealed that the Lanyang River as a barrier for lowland terrestrial animals.…”

“…This collision uplifted the Central Mountain Range (CMR), forming a major physical barrier for animals inhabit lowland areas. The CMR has contributed to evolutionary divergences between organisms on either side of the CMR both on interspecific and intraspecific levels ( Huang and Lin 2010 , Jang-Liaw et al 2008 , Kuo et al 2014 , Lin et al 2012 , Wang et al 2007 , Yu et al 2014 ). Aegista subchinensis (Möllendorff, 1884) is one of the most widely distributed species of the genus Aegista in Taiwan and is commonly found in lowland hardwood forests near the CMR ( Hsieh 2003 , Hsieh et al 2006 , Hsieh et al 2013 , Lee and Chen 2003 , Lee and Wu 2004 ).…”