Red River barrier and Pleistocene climatic fluctuations shaped the genetic structure of Microhyla fissipes complex (Anura: Microhylidae) in southern China and Indochina.

ABSTRACT: South China and Indochina host striking species diversity and endemism. Complex tectonic and climatic evolutions appear to be the main drivers of the biogeographic patterns. In this study, based on the geologic history of this region, we test 2 hypotheses using the evolutionary history of Microhyla fissipes species complex. Using DNA sequence data from both mitochondrial and nuclear genes, we first test the hypothesis that the Red River is a barrier to gene flow and dispersal. Second, we test the hypothesis that Pleistocene climatic cycling affected the genetic structure and population history of these frogs. We detect 2 major genetic splits that associate with the Red River. Time estimation suggests that late Miocene tectonic movement associated with the Red River drove their diver

SUBMITTER: Yuan ZY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5804247 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature