Cryptic lineage diversity within Forest Dormice (Mammalia:Dryomys nitedula) revealed by deep genetic divergence among different subspecies on the Iranian Plateau and in adjacent areas

• Dryomys nitedulahas been considered a polytypic species which is distributed in the Palearctic region. Previous studies have shown the taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships between different subspecies ofD. nitedulaneeds to be further investigated. Here, we applied mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers to evaluate phylogenetic relationship among geographical subspecies ofD.nitedulain Iranian Plateau and adjacent areas and tried to resolve taxonomic issues. Molecular analyses revealed four major clades and several subclades: Kopet Dagh-Zagros clade (A) comprising Kopet Dagh subclade (A1); Zagros subclade (A2); Caucasian clade (B) including Lesser Caucasus and Alborz subclade (B1); central and eastern Great Caucasus subclade (B2); western Great Caucasus and Russian subclade (B3); European-Apennine clade (C) including E Europe subclade (C1); Calabrian subclade (C2), and Eastern Alps subclade (C3), respectively. Finally, occurrence of a lineage with distinct evolutionary history was confirmed in the central Iranian Plateau, clade (D). Our results based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA obviously support thatD. n. pictus(clade D) is a deeply divergent lineage and should be treated as a separate species. Phylogenetic relationships and genetic distances withinD. nitedulaindicate a complex evolutionary history within the Western Palearctic region, with many local populations indicated having been isolated since at least Pleistocene, and suggest that treatingD. nitedulacomplex as several species is warranted.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Phylogeny

Cytb

IRBP

Dryomys nitedulacomplex

Iran

dormouse dryomys-nitedula

rodentia mammalia

sea region

gliridae

radiation

insights

position

miocene

refugia

basin

Zoology

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)