Molecular investigation of non-volant endemic mammals through mitochondrial cytochrome b gene from Andaman and Nicobar archipelago

Abstract

The shrews, Crocidura andamanensis, Crocidura nicobarica (order Eulipotyphla), and treeshrew, Tupaia nicobarica, (order Scandentia) are highly threatened mammals; endemic to Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. The aimed study provides the first baseline mitochondrial cytochrome b (mtCytb) genetic information of Crocidura and Tupaia species from Andaman and Nicobar Island. The mtCytb data were well discriminated against to all three studied species from their congeners with sufficient genetic distance. Crocidura andamanensis showed less genetic distance (13%) with Crocidura grayi, while high (21.3%) with Crocidura phuquocensis. Besides, the C. nicobarica showed less distance (5.5%) with Crocidura vosmaeri and Crocidura beccarii, while high (19%) with C. phuquocensis. Both C. andamanensis and C. nicobarica also depicted a 15.6% genetic distance with each other. Further, the treeshrew species T. nicobarica is apparently discriminated by other congeners with a sufficient genetic distance ranging from 8.8 to 25.5%. The maximum-likelihood (ML) topology distinctly discriminated against all the shrews and treeshrews species with significant bootstrap supports. The aimed study fortifies the efficacy of mtCytb gene to segregate the above discussed non-volant mammal species. We recommended the widespread noninvasive sampling and genotyping to elucidate the population structure, which assists to formulate the precise conservation measures to protect these unique mammals.

Complete mitogenome of the endangered and endemic Nicobar treeshrew (Tupaia nicobarica) and comparison with other Scandentians

“…The molecular studies were previously aimed to infer the phylogenetic and evolutionary relationship, genetic structure, and possible gene flow of Scandentia across their range distribution in Southeast Asia 25 , 26 . In addition, the partial mitochondrial genes ( 12S rRNA , 16S rRNA , and Cyt b ) were also utilized to elucidate the phylogenetic position and diversification of Tupaiidae species including T. nicobarica 15 , 27 , 28 . However, the in-depth genetic information and structural motifs of T. nicobarica mitogenome is still anonymous to the scientific communities.…”

Discovery of a new mammal species (Soricidae: Eulipotyphla) from Narcondam volcanic island, India

“…Molecular studies were also consecutively used to discriminate shrew species, detect cryptic diversity, or study phylogenetic evolution, biogeographic origin and radiation, and phylogeography 8 , 24 – 43 . Only a single study aimed to assess the genetic signature of two endemic species, C. andamanensis and C. nicobarica from the AN Archipelago 44 . Therefore, an understanding of the species diversity on this group of islands remains incomplete.…”