Influence of ancient glacial periods on the Andean fauna: the case of the pampas cat (Leopardus colocolo).

ABSTRACT:

Background

While numerous studies revealed the major role of environmental changes of the Quaternary on the evolution of biodiversity, research on the influence of that period on current South-American fauna is scarce and have usually focused on lowland regions. In this study, the genetic structure of the pampas cat (Leopardus colocolo), a widely distributed felid, was determined and linked to ancient climate fluctuations on the Andean region.

Results

Using both mitochondrial sequences and nuclear microsatellites, we inferred the existence of at least four groups of populations in the central Andes, while other three localities, with little sample sizes (n = 3), presented differences in only one of these markers. The distribution of these groups is correlated to latitude, wi

SUBMITTER: Cossios D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2669060 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature