Abstract

Geographic variation in the Black-throated Laughingthrush (Garrulax chinensis) is examined to infer the influence of Pleistocene glacial oscillations on the genetic diversity of its subspecies. Mitochondrial evidence suggests that the endemic Hainan Island taxon, G. c. monachus, is monophyletic, whereas its closest continental relatives, G. c. chinensis and G. c. lochmius, are not. Multilocus coalescent analysis based on two mitochondrial and two nuclear intron loci indicates inter-subspecific genetic differentiation during the Pleistocene and substantial post-divergence genetic introgression from G. c. chinensis into G. c. lochmius. In contrast, G. c. monachus experienced no post-divergence gene flow despite occasional land-bridge contact with its continental relatives, suggesting its isolation may have been imposed by ecology as well as geography. It is probably reproductively isolated and should be treated as a distinct species.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Wu Y, Huang J, Zhang M, Luo S, Zhang Y, Lei F, Sheldon FH, Zou F

Institution

Guangdong Entomological Institute/South China Institute of Endangered Animals, Guangzhou 510260, China.

Source

Molecular phylogenetics and evolution 65:2 2012 Nov pg 482-9

MeSH

Animals
China
DNA, Mitochondrial
Evolution, Molecular
Gene Flow
Genetic Variation
Genetics, Population
Haplotypes
Islands
Passeriformes
Reproductive Isolation
Sequence Analysis, DNA

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22820021