Abstract
Heterogenous landscape features of the Himalayan region shape the genetic structure of animal populations by delimiting spatial patterns of dispersal and reproduction. Integrating population genetic analysis with landscape features could yield results that shed light on the evolutionary diversity of the taxa therein. This study assessed the population genetic structure of the Nepal Himalayan langurs (Semnopithecus spp.) across almost their entire distribution range in the complex landscape of the Nepal Himalaya using the mitochondrial cytochrome b (CYTB, 1140 bp), cytochrome c oxidase I (COI, 676 bp), and control region (1088 bp) sequences. Sequences were successfully retrieved from 52 samples belonging to 17 troops of wild Himalayan langurs in Nepal. The concatenated alignment of the three loci (2904 bp) defined 35 unique haplotypes with haplotype and nucleotide diversities of 0.961 ± 0.017 and 0.0204 ± 0.004, respectively. The results of a median joining haplotype network and of inter-haplotypic phylogenetic analyses revealed five major clades across the country: one from the eastern, two from the central, and two from the western region of Nepal. No haplotypes were shared among the regions. The Mantel test results indicated that the landscape heterogeneity of the Himalaya has shaped the population genetic structure of the Himalayan langurs due to the combined effects of isolation by resistance and isolation by distance phenomena. The strong population genetic structure and deep mtDNA divergence warrants a detailed taxonomic assessment of the Himalayan langurs across their entire range.
Highlights
The Himalayan region harbors unique landscapes, ecosystems and biota that are the result of its climatic, topographic, geological and altitudinal variations [1]
In 2018, using mitochondrial cytochrome b (CYTB) and control region (CR) sequences, we reported that the highly structured genetic makeup of Nepal Himalayan langurs was markedly influenced by the river barriers [6]; boundaries of genetic subpopulations were not clearly delineated
A total of 52 successful sequences of the c oxidase I (COI) gene (676 bp, G + C: 0.420) were retrieved from the 17 troops of Himalayan langurs sampled in Nepal
Summary
The Himalayan region harbors unique landscapes, ecosystems and biota that are the result of its climatic, topographic, geological and altitudinal variations [1]. This geologically young and climatically unstable area is the most glaciated mountain region outside of the polar realms during the quaternary climatic oscillations [2]. Population genetic analyses coupled with topographic features of species habitat identify genetic differences among individuals of isolated populations and relate those discontinuities with landscape attributes [7].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
