Genetic consequences of postglacial colonization by the endemic Yarkand hare (Lepus yarkandensis) of the arid Tarim Basin

Abstract

Orogenesis of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, which occurred in a stepwise manner, contributed to the extreme aridity of the Tarim Basin, resulting in vulnerable and unstable ecosystems. Quaternary climatic oscillations may have affected the ecosystems and, consequently, the distributions and genetic structuring of the Tarim Basin's biota. We used nucleotide sequence data from 2 mitochondrial (mt) DNA genes (Cyt b and the D-loop) to test hypotheses associated with the matrilineal and demographical histories of the Tarim Basin's endemic Yarkand hare (Lepus yarkandensis). Range-wide sampling involving 20 populations and 224 individuals detected 126 haplotypes that clustered into 5 major lineages in both the phylogenetic tree and median-joining network. Populations from the northern and eastern Tarim Basin shared a similar history, as did those from the western and southern regions. Demographical analysis and genetic diversity estimations suggested that the western and southern regions might have served as glacial refugia for the Yarkand hare during Quaternary climatic oscillations. The distribution of the Yarkand hare, especially in the northern and eastern parts, probably represented 3 postglacial colonization events, dated to 0.21, 0.090 and 0.054 MYA, which corresponded to known interglacial periods. Given the relatively complete geographic isolation between the eastern and southern populations, the Yarkand hare likely dispersed during postglacial periods from the southwest to the north, and then onward to the east. The absence of water likely forced the species into refugia, and this differed from other Pleistocene biogeographical drivers. The demographical and historical patterns have important implications for conservation. Chinese Sci Bull, 2011, 56: 1370−1382, doi: 10.1007 Pleistocene climatic changes imposed significant range shifts on many Palearctic biota, and contributed to their demographic history and genetic diversity [1]. Many temperate species existed only in refugia at times of glacial maxima, and recolonized or expanded into newly available habitats during interglacial periods [2,3]. Quaternary evolutionary histories of European and North American biota *These authors contributed equally to this work †Corresponding authors

Insights into the evolutionary history ofCervus(Cervidae, tribe Cervini) based on Bayesian analysis of mitochondrial marker sequences, with first indications for a new species

“…Diversification within the C. hanglu sublineage may have occurred due to glacial fragmentation and subsequent recolonization events in the early/middle Pleistocene, similarly to other species that currently live around the Basin, for example the Yarkand hare Lepus yarkandensis (Shan et al. ), and Agamid lizard Phrynocephalus axillaris (Zhang et al. ).…”

“…The second sublineage, C. hanglu, after a short migration eastward, remained isolated west of the Tarim Basin, unable to cross the Taklimakan desert, and/or the Pamir Plateau, Tian Shan and Kunlum Mountains, that surrounded the Basin with peaks exceeding 7000 m a.s.l., after completion of their orogeny during middle Miocene times (Yang et al 2014). Diversification within the C. hanglu sublineage may have occurred due to glacial fragmentation and subsequent recolonization events in the early/middle Pleistocene, similarly to other species that currently live around the Basin, for example the Yarkand hare Lepus yarkandensis (Shan et al 2011), and Agamid lizard Phrynocephalus axillaris (Zhang et al 2010). In contrast to our reconstruction, previous morphology-based analyses suggested that C. hanglu red deer would derive from C. elaphus populations dispersing eastward through the Middle East during the middle Pleistocene (cf.…”

Multiscale partitioning of small mammal β‐diversity provides novel insights into the Quaternary faunal history of Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and Hengduan Mountains

“…Even in the Tarim Basin, which was barely inhabitable due to the particularly dry and cold climate, a LGM refugium for the Yarkand hare ( Lepus yarkandensis ) has recently been identified on the its south‐western margin of the basin. This species of hare lived through that period mainly by using meltwater from glaciers in the Tishan and Kunlun Mountains (Shan et al ., ). On the basis of these collective results, we argue that the prevailing view that most extant species in the central and western regions of QTP occupy their current ranges through post‐glacial recolonization from eastern refugia requires further verification, at least for small mammals.…”

“…a). Furthermore, there is growing evidence showing that multiple refugia of a variety of organisms were widespread in QTP during LGM and earlier glaciations, including in the central (Wang et al ., ), north‐western (Shan et al ., ) and south‐western regions (Hofmann, ). For small mammals, Tang et al .…”

“…4a). Furthermore, there is growing evidence showing that multiple refugia of a variety of organisms were widespread in QTP during LGM and earlier glaciations, including in the central , north-western (Shan et al, 2011) and south-western regions (Hofmann, 2012). For small mammals, Tang et al (2010) have revealed that the Plateau zokor (Eospalax fontanierii) maintained stable populations in several high-altitude regions in the plateau interior throughout the Quaternary climatic oscillations, possibly because of the relatively comfortable subterranean conditions.…”