Diversification in highlands: phylogeny and taxonomy of pikas of the subgenus <i>Conothoa</i> (Lagomorpha, Ochotonidae)

Lissovsky, Andrey A.; Yatsentyuk, Svetlana P.; Obolenskaya, E.V.; Koju, Narayan Prasad; Ge, Deyan

doi:10.1111/zsc.12538

Cited by 5 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…A photographic representation of these microhabitats reveals differences and similarities of niches of different species (Figure 1). WhileOM and OL (clade Conothoa) have diverged ~5mya, these species have diverged from ON (cladeOchotona ) 13mya (Wang et al 2020, Lissovsky et al 2022. Assuming that closely related species share similar physiological requirements, we would expect that OM andOL use similar microhabitats when compared to ON (Dahal et al 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scale-dependent niche segregation along dimensions of rocks, vegetation and elevation in sympatric pikas of Ladakh

Kumar

Ponnu

D’Souza

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Microhabitat selection in patchy environments supports the co-existence of closely related species competing for resources. We examined niche partitioning in three sympatric species of pikas, Ochotona macrotis, Ochotona nubrica, and Ochotona ladacensis from Ladakh, India, that display contrasting lifestyles, social behavior and co-occur at small spatial scales. We used a classical paired quadrat approach to document biologically relevant vegetation and landscape features (niches) likely to support the presence of different species. We used a Bayesian framework to describe niche spaces , estimate niche widths and overlaps between species pairs. In addition, we used a GLM framework to identify factors that promote the presence of different species in the landscape. The rock-dwelling Ochotona macrotis was a specialist, exclusively associated with microhabitats offering a good cover of large-sized rocks and no shrubs. The social, Ochotona nubrica, was a specialist found across elevations but associated exclusively with mature stands of scrub vegetation (Caragana sp in the South-East and Hippophae sp in the North-West) occupying a unique niche. The social Ochotona ladacensis, although an elevational specialist, was likely to be found in microhabitats of other species characterised by moderate rock cover and low-lying Caragana scrublands, in addition to being found in alpine grasslands and meadows.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scale-dependent niche segregation along dimensions of rocks, vegetation and elevation in sympatric pikas of Ladakh

Kumar

Ponnu

D’Souza

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…Pikas are small, herbivorous mammals that belong to the Ochotonidae family. It belongs to only one extant genus Ochotona with 33 species spread across the Asian highlands, easternmost Europe, and North America (Lissovsky, 2014;Lissovsky et al, 2017Lissovsky et al, , 2019Lissovsky et al, , 2022; Figure A1). Pikas are sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation (Rinnan & Lawler, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of the six Asian pikas species reported from the Himalayas (Dahal et al, 2020 ), the ecology and genetics of only two species— O. curzoniae and O. roylei have been explored (Bhattacharyya et al, 2013 , 2014 , 2019 ; Bhattacharyya & Ishtiaq, 2019 ; Liu et al, 2022 ; Qu et al, 2017 ), but see the recent study by Ge et al ( 2023 ). Previous studies on Asian pikas are mostly restricted to resolving taxonomic ambiguities and reports of distinct lineages (Dahal et al, 2017 ; Koju et al, 2017 ; Lissovsky et al, 2017 , 2019 , 2022 ). Interspecies hybridization and introgression within subgenus Ochotona have been proposed (Lissovsky et al, 2019 , 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gene flow drives genomic diversity in Asian Pikas distributed along the core and range‐edge habitats in the Himalayas

Dahal

Romine

Khatiwara

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Studying the genetic variation among different species distributed across their core and range‐edge habitats can provide valuable insights into how genetic variation changes across the species' distribution range. This information can be important for understanding local adaptation, as well as for conservation and management efforts. In this study, we have carried out genomic characterization of six species of Asian Pikas distributed along their core and range‐edge habitats in the Himalayas. We utilized a population genomics approach using ~28,000 genome‐wide SNP markers obtained from restriction‐site associated DNA sequencing. We identified low nucleotide diversity and high inbreeding coefficients in all six species across their core and range‐edge habitats. We also identified evidence of gene flow among genetically diverse species. Our results provide evidence of reduced genetic diversity in Asian pikas distributed across the Himalayas and the neighboring regions and indicate that recurrent gene flow is possibly a key mechanism for maintaining genetic diversity and adaptive potential in these pikas. However, full‐scale genomics studies that utilize whole‐genome sequencing approaches will be needed to quantify the direction and timing of gene flow and functional changes associated with introgressed regions in the genome. Our results represent an important step toward understanding the patterns and consequences of gene flow in species, sampled at the least studied, yet climatically vulnerable part of their habitat that can be further used to inform conservation strategies that promote connectivity and gene flow between populations.

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“…The Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau form major distribution centers for at least two species-rich subgenera ( Conothoa and Ochotona ) out of a total of five recognized subgenera (Wang et al 2020; Lissovsky et al 2022) of Pikas. Few studies (Dahal et al 2017; Lissovsky et al 2017, 2019, 2022; Koju et al 2017) have sampled pikas across the Himalayas, mostly to resolve the taxonomic ambiguities. Two studies have described the distinct lineages of pikas, both sampled from eastern Himalayas (Dahal et al 2017; Lissovsky et al 2017, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two studies have described the distinct lineages of pikas, both sampled from eastern Himalayas (Dahal et al 2017; Lissovsky et al 2017, 2019). Interspecific hybridization and introgression between three species from subgenus Ochotona and potential east-west divergence of these species has been hypothesized (Lissovsky et al 2019, 2022). Population genetic studies in Asian pikas are limited (Zhang et al 2017; Bhattacharyya and Ishtiaq 2019) and significantly lower than vast literatures on studies of population dynamics and evolution in North American Pikas, for e.g., (Holtz et al 2016; Robson et al 2016; Waterhouse et al 2017; Westover et al 2020; Klingler et al 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genomic Variation, Population Structure, and Gene Flow across Asian Pikas

Dahal

Romine

Khatiwada

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Asian pikas have one of the most complex systematics and evolutionary history. The Himalayas is an important habitat for Asian pikas as it hosts 23-25% of pika global diversity and has provided the ancestral training ground for local adaptation to high altitudes. They are one of the most abundant species in the Himalayas and Qinghai Tibetan Plateau (QTP), however genetic studies to explore their population structure and evolution are limited. Here, we utilize a population genomics approach using ~28,000 genome-wide SNP markers obtained from restriction-site associated DNA sequencing in six species of Asian Pikas (Ochotona spp.) that are distributed across the Himalayas and neighboring high-altitude mountains. We examined intra- and inter-species genetic diversity, population structure, phylogenetic history and explored processes that shaped the current genetic diversity of Pikas across the Himalayas. We identified low nucleotide diversity and high inbreeding coefficient across all species which possibly indicated decreasing population size in these species. We also identified extensive evidence of gene flow (both historic and contemporary) across these species. Our findings indicate that inter-species gene flow is a key evolutionary process that has been countering the negative effect of low genetic diversity among Asian pikas.

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Diversification in highlands: phylogeny and taxonomy of pikas of the subgenus Conothoa (Lagomorpha, Ochotonidae)

Cited by 5 publications

References 43 publications

Scale-dependent niche segregation along dimensions of rocks, vegetation and elevation in sympatric pikas of Ladakh

Scale-dependent niche segregation along dimensions of rocks, vegetation and elevation in sympatric pikas of Ladakh

Gene flow drives genomic diversity in Asian Pikas distributed along the core and range‐edge habitats in the Himalayas

Genomic Variation, Population Structure, and Gene Flow across Asian Pikas

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