Phylogeographic history of Japanese macaques

Abstract

Aim: Understanding patterns and processes of geographic genetic variation within and among closely related species is the essence of phylogeography. Japanese macaques, also called snow monkeys, have been extensively studied, particularly in the fields of sociobiology, ecology and experimental biology; however, our knowledge of their evolutionary history is relatively limited. In this study we aimed to elucidate the geographic patterns of genetic variation in Japanese macaques and the processes that underlie them. Location: Japan.

Speciation without gene-flow in hybridising deer

“…The dynamic history of the North American continent, notably the glacial cycles of the Quaternary, shaped the evolution and distribution of many species (Avise et al 1998; Hewitt 2000; Shafer et al 2010). The use of different refugia for prolonged periods of time during the glaciation events has increased the differentiation between populations in several species, including deer (Latch et al 2014; Dussex et al 2020; Kinoshita et al 2020; Colella et al 2021; Ito et al 2021). Previous studies show that MD persisted in several refugia during the glacial cycles of the Pleistocene, increasing the intraspecific divergence (Latch et al 2009; Latch et al 2014; Wright et al 2022).…”

“…Hewitt, 2000;Shafer et al, 2010). The use of different refugia for prolonged periods of time during the glaciation events has increased the differentiation between populations in several species, including deer (Colella et al, 2021;Dussex et al, 2020;Ito et al, 2021;Kinoshita et al, 2020;Latch et al, 2014). Previous studies show that MD persisted in several refugia during the glacial cycles of the Pleistocene, increasing the intraspecific divergence (Latch et al, 2009(Latch et al, , 2014Wright et al, 2022).…”

Comparison of captive and wild fascicularis‐group macaques (Primates, Cercopithecidae) provides insight into cranial form changes in response to rapid environmental changes

“…The two widest‐ranging species, M. fascicularis and M. mulatta , co‐occur on the Indochinese Peninsula and are also sympatric with the nemestrina group over much of southeast Asia (Abegg & Thierry, 2002; Albrecht, 1980; Fooden, 1975, 1995, 2000). M. cyclopis is restricted to Taiwan, and M. fuscata is found only on the three main Japan islands south of Hokkaido and some neighboring small islands just south of Kyushu (Fooden & Aimi, 2005; Fooden & Wu, 2001; Ito et al, 2021). Molecular studies confirm the fascicularis species group forms a monophyletic group with M. fascicularis representing the sister to the other species and rapid diversification from an ancestral M. mulatta population into M. cyclopis and M. fuscata , likely facilitated by dispersals to their respective island distributions (Abegg & Thierry, 2002; Delson, 1980; Ito et al, 2021; Li et al, 2009; Springer et al, 2012; Tosi et al, 2000, 2003).…”

“…M. cyclopis is restricted to Taiwan, and M. fuscata is found only on the three main Japan islands south of Hokkaido and some neighboring small islands just south of Kyushu (Fooden & Aimi, 2005; Fooden & Wu, 2001; Ito et al, 2021). Molecular studies confirm the fascicularis species group forms a monophyletic group with M. fascicularis representing the sister to the other species and rapid diversification from an ancestral M. mulatta population into M. cyclopis and M. fuscata , likely facilitated by dispersals to their respective island distributions (Abegg & Thierry, 2002; Delson, 1980; Ito et al, 2021; Li et al, 2009; Springer et al, 2012; Tosi et al, 2000, 2003). Across the species group and in M. fascicularis specifically, combinations of natural over‐water dispersals, anthropogenically aided dispersals, local extinctions and repeated re‐colonization of islands, and over‐land movement between the Sunda Shelf islands in southeast Asia during glacial periods have contributed to complex patterns of island biogeography and population history, yet most populations appear to follow a consistent latitudinal cline in body size, tail proportions, and cranial length (Abegg & Thierry, 2002; Evans et al, 2020; Fooden, 1991, 1995; Fooden & Albrecht, 1993; Kawamoto et al, 2007, 2008; Yao et al, 2017).…”

Behavior of snow monkeys hunting fish to survive winter

“…Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) of the Japanese Islands are distributed at the highest latitudes in the world among non-human primates. In addition, the subalpine zone (elevation 1500-1600 m) of the Japanese Alps, which the macaques inhabit, is one of the coldest and harshest winter environments at high latitudes inhabited by non-human primates [10][11][12] . Some animals (e.g., brown bear, Ursus arctos) survive the harsh winter season by seasonal migration and/or hibernation, but hibernation is not known in primates, with a few exceptions for small primates 13 and Japanese macaques in Kamikochi are known to remain in the subalpine zone during the winter 10,14 .…”