Apodemus Draco Research Articles

Physical seed damage, not rodent's saliva, accelerates seed germination of trees in a subtropical forest.

Many tree species adopt fast seed germination to escape the predation risk by rodents. Physical seed damage and the saliva of rodents on partially consumed seeds may act as cues for seeds to accelerate germination process. However, the impacts of these factors on seed germination rate and speed remain unclear. In this study, we investigated such impacts on the germination rate and speed (reversal of germination time) of four tree species (Quercus variabilis, Q. serrata, Q. acutissima, Q. glauca) after partial consumption by four rodent species (Leopoldamys edwards, Niviventer fulvescens, N. confucianus, Apodemus draco), through a series of experiments. We also examined how seed traits may affect the seed damage degree by rodents by analyzing the relationship between the germination rate and time of rodent-damaged seed and the traits. We found that, artificially- and rodent-damaged seeds exhibited a significantly higher seed germination rate and speed, compared to intact seeds. Also, the rodent saliva on seeds showed no significant effect on seed germination rate and speed. Furthermore, we observed significant positive correlations between several seed traits (including the seed mass, coat thickness, and protein content) and the seed germination rate and speed. These correlations are likely due to their beneficial traits countering seed damage by rodents. Overall, our results highlight the significant role of physical seed damage by rodents (rather than their saliva) in facilitating seed germination of tree species, and potential mutualism between rodents and trees. Additionally, our results may have some implications in forest restoration, such that intentionally sowing or dispersing slightly damaged seeds by humans or drones may increase the likelihood of successful seed regeneration.

Recovery of small rodents from open-pit marble mining: effects on communities, populations, and individuals.

Mining can significantly alter landscapes, impacting wildlife and ecosystem functionality. Natural recovery in open-pit mines is vital for habitat restoration and ecosystem re-establishment, although few empirical studies have examined this process. Here, we assessed temporal and spatial responses of small rodents at the community, population, and individual levels during natural mine recovery. We examined the abundance, reproductive potential, and individual health of small rodents at active mines and at former mine sites left to recover naturally for approx. 10 and 20 years. We also assessed the effects of disturbance on rodent recovery processes at three distances from the mine boundary. Rodent numbers peaked after 10-13 years of recovery and exhibited the strongest male bias in the sex ratio. The Chinese white-bellied rat (Niviventer confucianus) was the most abundant species, achieving its highest population abundance at sites abandoned for 10-13 years and thriving at locations closer to the mine boundary. Only Chevrier's field mouse exhibited morphological responses to the mine recovery category. Ectoparasite load was unaffected by mine or distance-disturbance categories. Both Chevrier's field mouse (Apodemus chevrieri) and the South China field mouse (Apodemus draco) were affected significantly by vegetation layer cover during recovery succession. Our study highlights the complexities of ecological succession, with a peak in abundance as pioneer communities transition toward a climax seral stage. Careful prior planning and active site management are necessary to optimize abandoned mine recovery. Efforts to accelerate mine recovery through technical restoration should promote conditions that initiate and perpetuate the establishment and succession of wildlife assemblages.

Gut microbiota is associated with spatial memory and seed-hoarding behavior of South China field mice (Apodemus draco).

Scatter-hoarding animals store food in multiple locations within their home range and rely on spatial memory for subsequent localization and retrieval. The relationship between memory and scatter-hoarding behavior has been widely demonstrated, but the association of gut microbiota with spatial memory and seed-hoarding behavior of animals remains unclear. In this study, by using enclosure behavior tests, memory tests including an object location test (OLT) and a novel object recognition test (NORT), and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiment, we evaluated the role of gut microbiota in affecting the memory and seed-hoarding behavior of rodents. According to their scatter-hoarding intensity, South China field mice (Apodemus draco) were divided into scatter-hoarding group (SG) and non-scatter-hoarding group (NG). We found that the SG performed better than the NG in the NORT. FMT from SG donor mice altered the NG recipient mice's gut microbiota structure. Further tests demonstrated FMT from SG donor mice increased memory of NG recipient mice in laboratory tests and seed larder hoarding intensity of NG recipient mice in enclosures. Our results suggest gut microbiota could modulate the memory and seed-hoarding behavior of animals.

Characterization of Two New Apodemus Mitogenomes (Rodentia: Muridae) and Mitochondrial Phylogeny of Muridae

Apodemus is the most common small rodent species in the Palearctic realm and an ideal species for biogeographical research and understanding environmental changes. Elucidating phylogenetic relationships will help us better understand species adaptation and genetic evolution. Due to its stable structure, maternal inheritance, and rapid evolution, the mitogenome has become a hot spot for taxonomic and evolutionary studies. In this research, we determined the mitochondrial genome of Apodemus agrarius ningpoensis and Apodemus draco draco and studied the phylogeny of Muridae using ML and BI trees based on all known complete mitogenomes. The mitochondrial genome of Apodemus agrarius ningpoensis was 16,262 bp, whereas that of Apodemus draco draco was 16,222 bp, and both encoded 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. Analysis of base composition showed a clear A-T preference. All tRNAs except tRNASer and tRNALys formed a typical trilobal structure. All protein-coding genes contained T- and TAA as stop codons. Phylogeny analysis revealed two main branches in the Muridae family. Apodemus agrarius ningpoensis formed sister species with Apodemus chevrieri, whereas Apodemus draco draco with Apodemus latronum. Our findings provide theoretical basis for future studies focusing on the mitogenome evolution of Apodemus.

Chestnut caching behavior of Chinese white-bellied rats (Niviventer confucianus) and South China field mice (Apodemus draco): effects of seed size and insect infestation

Chestnut caching behavior of Chinese white-bellied rats (Niviventer confucianus) and South China field mice (Apodemus draco): effects of seed size and insect infestation

Habitats Show More Impacts Than Host Species in Shaping Gut Microbiota of Sympatric Rodent Species in a Fragmented Forest.

Gut microbiota play a significant role for animals to adapt to the changing environment. Host species and habitats are key drivers in shaping the diversity and composition of the microbiota, but the determinants of composition of the sympatric host gut microbiome remain poorly understood within an ecosystem. In this study, we examined the effects of habitats of different succession stages and host species on the diversity and composition of fecal gut microbiota in four sympatric rodent species (Apodemus draco, Leopoldamys edwardsi, Niviventer confucianus, and Niviventer fulvescens) in a subtropical forest. We found, as compared to the differences between species, habitat types showed a much larger effect on the gut microbiota of rodents. Alpha diversity of the microbial community of A. draco, N. fulvescens, and N. confucianus was highest in farmland, followed by primary forest and shrubland, and lowest in secondary forest. Beta diversity of the three rodent species showed significant different among habitats. The alpha diversity of gut microbiota of L. edwardsi was significantly higher than those of A. draco and N. confucianus, and its beta diversity showed significant difference from A. draco. Our results suggested that gut microbiota were important for animals in responding to diet changes in different habitats under human disturbances.

Seed traits and rodent community interact to determine seed fate: evidence from both enclosure and field experiments.

Animal-mediated seed dispersal is an important ecological process in which a strong mutualism between animals and plants can arise. However, few studies have examined how a community of potential seed dispersers interacts with sympatric seed trees. We employed a series of experiments in the Qinling Mountains in both semi-natural enclosure and the field to assess the interactions among 3 sympatric rodent species and 3 Fagaceae tree seeds. Seed traits all showed similar tannin levels but markedly different physical traits and nutritional contents. We found that seeds with heavy weight, thick coat, and high nutritional contents were less likely to be eaten in situ but more often to be eaten after dispersal or hoarded by rodents. These results support both the handling time hypothesis and the high nutrition hypothesis. Surprisingly, we also found that rodents, maybe, preferred to consume seeds with low levels of crude fiber in situ, and to harvest and hoard those with high levels of crude fiber for later consumption. The sympatric rodent species, Cansumys canus, the largest rodent in our study, harvested and hoarded more Quercus variabilis seeds with high physical and nutritional traits, while Apodemus draco, the smallest rodent, harvested more Q. serrata seeds with low physical and nutritional traits, and Niviventer confucianus harvested and hoarded more Q. aliena seeds with medium physical and nutritional traits. Our study demonstrates that different seed traits play different roles in influencing the seed fate and the shaping of mutualism and predation interactions within a community of rodent species.

Differences in mutualistic or predatory interactions between tree and rodent species as revealed by using a double-duplex passive integrated transponder tagging technique

Seed hoarding by rodents plays a significant role in shaping mutualistic or predatory interactions between tree and rodent species in forest ecosystems. However, it is still challenging to identify the seed-rodent interaction at individual level so as to reveal the differences in mutualistic or predatory interactions between seeds and rodents due to lack of efficient methods of tracking seed hoarding behaviour and seed fate. Here, by using the double-duplex passive integrated transponder tagging technique, we investigated seed hoarding behaviour of two rodent species (Niviventer confucianus with larger body size; Apodemus draco with smaller body size) on seeds of two tree species (Quercus variabilis with larger seeds, thicker seed coat, higher tannin and starch contents; Camellia oleifera with smaller seeds, thinner seed coat, and lower tannin but higher fat contents) in a subtropical forest of China. We found N. confucianus preferably consumed and scatterhoarded seeds of Q. variabilis. In contrast, A. draco preferably consumed and scatterhoarded seeds of C. oleifera. Our study showed significant difference in mutualistic or predatory interactions between trees and rodent species, which is likely to be associated with the functional traits of seeds and rodents. Our results suggest that the double-duplex passive integrated transponder tagging technique is useful in quantifying mutualistic or predatory interactions between multiple tree and rodent species.

Ring distribution patterns-diversification or speciation? Comparative phylogeography of two small mammals in the mountains surrounding the Sichuan Basin.

Studying the genetic differentiation in a unique geographical area contributes to understanding the process of speciation. Here, we explore the spatial genetic structure and underlying formation mechanism of two congeneric small mammal species (Apodemus draco and A.chevrieri), which are mainly distributed in the mountains surrounding the lowland Sichuan Basin, southwest China. We applied a set of comparative phylogeographical analyses to determine their genetic diversification patterns, combining mitochondrial (Cytb and COI) and nuclear (microsatellite loci) markers, with dense sampling throughout the range (411 A.draco from 21 sites and 191 A.chevrieri from 22 sites). Moreover, we performed three complementary statistical methods to investigate the correlation between genotype and geographical and environmental components, and predicted the potential suitable distributional range under the present and historical climate conditions. Our results suggest that both species have experienced allopatric differentiation and admixture in historical periods, resulting in a ring-shape diversification, under the barrier effect of the Sichuan Basin. We infer that the tectonic events of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and climatic oscillations during the Quaternary played an important role on the genetic divergence of the two species by providing environmental heterogeneity and geographical variation. Our study reveals a case of two sympatric small mammals following a ring-shaped diversification pattern and provides insight into the process of differentiation.

Revisiting classic ecogeographical rules, using a widely distributed mouse species (Apodemus draco)

Abstract Ecogeographical rules predict an association between specific adaptive morphological/physiological traits and latitude, elevation or cooler climates. Such ecogeographical effects are often expressed most clearly in widely distributed species due to continuous selective adaptation occurring over their geographic range. Based on 40 population sampling sites of 116 adult individuals (female, ; male, ) across an elevational range of 191–2573 m, we tested whether morphological traits accorded with predictions of Bergmann’s rule, Allen’s rule and Hesse’s rule for the South China field mouse (Apodemus draco). The effects of elevation on body size, appendage length and heart size were tested by fitting Linear Mixed-Effects Models. None conformed to Bergmann’s, Allen’s or Hesse’s rule. Clines in body size opposed Bergmann’s rule, and foot and snout length ratios opposed Allen’s rule. We conclude that South China field mice, a widely distributed species, exhibit an acute thermoregulation mechanism in which in colder conditions body sizes decrease – as opposed to altering heart sizes or surface area to volume ratios – requiring less energy to regulate body temperatures. Also, there was a stronger selective pressure to increase partial appendage lengths (i.e., foot and snout) to adapt to the specific environment (e.g. longer period of snow cover, up to 2573 m) rather than on a general shortening of appendages to cope with colder conditions.

Does scatter-hoarding of seeds benefit cache owners or pilferers?

The scatter‐hoarding behavior of granivorous rodents plays an important role in seed dispersal and seedling regeneration of trees, as well as the evolution of several well‐known mutualisms between trees and rodents in forest ecosystems. Because it is difficult to identify seed hoarders and pilferers under field conditions by traditional methods, the full costs incurred and benefits accrued by scatter‐hoarding have not been fully evaluated in most systems. By using infrared radiation camera tracking and seed tagging, we investigated the benefits and losses of scatter‐hoarded seeds (Camellia oleifera) for 3 sympatric rodent species (Apodemus draco, Niviventer confucianus and Leopoldamys edwardsi) in a subtropical forest of Southwest China during 2013 to 2015. We established the relationships between the rodents and the seeds at the individual level. For each rodent species, we calculated the cache recovery rate of cache owners, as well as conspecific and interspecific pilferage rates. We found that all 3 sympatric rodent species had a cache recovery advantage with rates that far exceeded average pilferage rates over a 30‐day tracking period. The smallest species (A. draco) showed the highest rate of scatter‐hoarding and the highest recovery advantage compared with the other 2 larger species (N. confucianus and L. edwardsi). Our results suggest that scatter‐hoarding benefits cache owners in food competition, supporting the pilferage avoidance hypothesis. Therefore, scatter‐hoarding behavior should be favored by natural selection, and plays a significant role in species coexistence of rodent community and in the formation of mutualism between seeds and rodents in forest ecosystems.

Sequencing and analysis of complete mitochondrial genome of Apodemus draco (Rodentia: Arvicolinae)

The genus Apodemus are the most common small rodents in fields. They are also one of the best species for biogeographic study and understanding the environmental changes. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Apodemus draco is determined. The mitogenome is 16 220 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and a control region, with a base composition of 35.1% A, 29.0% T, 23.8% C and 12.1% G. The nucleotide sequence data of 12 heavy-strand protein-coding genes of Apodemus draco and other 23 rodents were used for mitochondrial genome phylogenetic analyses. The monophyly of the genus Apodemus was well supported with sister to the genus Mus. Bayesian analysis also suggested that Apodemus draco was a sister to Apodemus latronum. The present study may facilitate further investigation of the molecular evolution and biogeographic study of the genus Apodemus.

A preliminary study of the biodiversity of ground-dwelling small mammals in Badagongshan National Nature Reserve, Hunan Province

Little is known about the diversity patterns of mammals in the Badagongshan National Nature Reserve, Hunan Province, although the reserve was established in 1982. During September and October of 2012, the diversity of ground-dwelling small mammals was investigated using live traps, pitfalls and camera traps in a permanent forest dynamics plot and other nearby vegetation types. We captured 12 species of ground-dwelling small mammals, including eight species of Rodentia and four species of Insectivora. Pres- ently, there are 20 species of ground-dwelling small mammals recorded in the Badagongshan National Nature Reserve, including six new species recorded in this study, i.e., Eothenomys melanogaster, Typhlomys ciner- eus, Apodemus draco, Anourosorex squamipes, Blarinella griselda, and Sorex thibetanus. The body mass of the individuals captured by live traps was much larger than that of the individuals captured by pitfall traps. Our study also indicates that the diversity patterns of ground-dwelling small mammals are affected by the habitat types. Therefore, we recommend that a combination of different methods be used to effectively monitor mammal diversity in the Badagongshan National Nature Reserve.

Effects of photoperiod and temperature on the body mass, thermogenesis, and serum leptin levels of Apodemus draco (Rodentia: Muridae) in the Hengduan Mountain region, China

BackgroundEnvironmental cues play important roles in the regulation of physiology and behavior in small mammals. In the present study, we performed a factorial experiment (temperature × photoperiod) in which the South China field mouse Apodemus draco (Rodentia: Muridae) was acclimated to different photoperiods (a long photoperiod of 16 h light/8 h dark and a short photoperiod of 8 h light/16 h dark) and temperatures (warm at 30°C and cold at 5°C) to test the hypothesis that photoperiod, temperature, or both together can trigger changes in serum leptin levels, body mass, thermogenesis, and energy intake.ResultsBody mass, the resting metabolic rate (RMR), nonshivering thermogenesis (NST), and energy intake significantly decreased in the cold condition. Cold exposure induced increases in mitochondrial protein contents, cytochrome C oxidase (COX) activity, and α-glycerophosphate oxidase (α-GPO) in the liver and brown adipose tissue (BAT). There were no significant differences in mitochondrial protein contents, COX, or α-GPO under different photoperiods. Cold also induced an increase in uncoupling protein 1 in the BAT but showed no significant differences with photoperiod.ConclusionsAll of the results indicated that A. draco was more sensitive to temperature. Further, serum leptin levels were involved in the processes of thermogenesis and body mass regulation in A. draco.

Effects of photoperiod on body mass, thermogenesis and serum leptin in Apodemus draco during cold exposure

Many small mammals respond to seasonal changes in photoperiod by altering body mass and adiposity. These animals may provide valuable models for understanding the regulation of energy balance. In the present study, we examined the effect on body mass, resting metabolic rate, food intake and body composition in cold-acclimated Apodemus draco by transferring them from a short to long day photoperiod. During the first 4 weeks of exposure to short days, A. draco’s body mass decreased. After the next 4 weeks of exposure to long days, body mass increased in the long day group compared to the short day group. This increase in body mass reflected significant increases in absolute amounts of body components, including wet carcass mass, dry carcass mass and body fat mass. Liver, kidney, and small intestine were enlarged due to longer photoperiod during cold exposure. A. draco increased its resting metabolic rate and energy intake after exposure to long days. Serum leptin levels were positively correlated with body mass, body fat mass, resting metabolic rate as well as energy intake. All of the results indicate that A. draco may provide an attractive novel animal model for investigation of the regulation of body mass and energy balance at the organismal levels. Leptin is potentially involved in the photoperiod-induced body mass regulation and thermogenesis of A. draco during cold exposure.

Phylogeography of the South China Field Mouse (Apodemus draco) on the Southeastern Tibetan Plateau Reveals High Genetic Diversity and Glacial Refugia

The southeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau (SEMTP) is a particularly interesting region due to its topographic complexity and unique geologic history, but phylogeographic studies that focus on this region are rare. In this study, we investigated the phylogeography of the South China field mouse, Apodemus draco, in order to assess the role of geologic and climatic events on the Tibetan Plateau in shaping its genetic structure. We sequenced mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) sequences in 103 individuals from 47 sampling sites. In addition, 23 cyt b sequences were collected from GenBank for analyses. Phylogenetic, demographic and landscape genetic methods were conducted. Seventy-six cyt b haplotypes were found and the genetic diversity was extremely high (π = 0.0368; h = 0.989). Five major evolutionary clades, based on geographic locations, were identified. Demographic analyses implied subclade 1A and subclade 1B experienced population expansions at about 0.052-0.013 Mya and 0.014-0.004 Mya, respectively. The divergence time analysis showed that the split between clade 1 and clade 2 occurred 0.26 Mya, which fell into the extensive glacial period (EGP, 0.5-0.17 Mya). The divergence times of other main clades (2.20-0.55 Mya) were congruent with the periods of the Qingzang Movement (3.6-1.7 Mya) and the Kun-Huang Movement (1.2-0.6 Mya), which were known as the most intense uplift events in the Tibetan Plateau. Our study supported the hypothesis that the SEMTP was a large late Pleistocene refugium, and further inferred that the Gongga Mountain Region and Hongya County were glacial refugia for A. draco in clade 1. We hypothesize that the evolutionary history of A. draco in the SEMTP primarily occurred in two stages. First, an initial divergence would have been shaped by uplift events of the Tibetan Plateau. Then, major glaciations in the Pleistocene added complexity to its demographic history and genetic structure.

唐家河自然保护区高山姬鼠和中华姬鼠夏季生境选择的比较

Habitat selection among allied species is one of the key supports for niche theory in ecology.Line transects and systematic sampling was used to study habitat selection by Chevrier′s field mouse and the South China field mouse from June to August 2009.The two species are sympatric in the Tangjiahe Nature Reserve,Qingchuan County,Sichuan Province,China.We compared habitat plots used by both mammals and control plots reflecting the environment at large to investigate their habitat use patterns.140 plots were measured totally.Of which,49 were used by Chevrier′s field mouse,41 were used by South China field mouse and the rest 50 were control plots.21 environmental variables potentially influencing their habitat selection were measured. In univariate analysis,16 variables were significantly different between plot groups,indicating the two mammals both have a distinct significant habitat preference.In addition,their selected habitats overlapped to some extent: they both preferred for habitats with gentle slopes,lower canopy height,significant fallen leaf ground coverage,a relatively higher proportion of open land,larger tree diameter at breast height,greater tree height,moderate shrub bamboo and herb density,and larger herb coverage when compared with the control plots. Significant differences in habitats selected indicated the two species have distinct habitat selection patterns.Chevrier′s field mouse occurred more frequently in habitats with lower elevations(about 1400 m) and taller herbs(about 16—30 cm),while South China field mouse occurred in habitats with higher elevations(about 1900 m) and shorter herbs(15 cm).Moreover,Chevrier′s field mouse preferred for habitats characteristic of evergreen and deciduous mixed broad-leaved forests,a shorter distance to water sources(50 m),vegetation in earlier successional stage(a small growth of trees) and shorter bamboo height(1 m).South China field proved to be more of a generalist with no prominent selectivity for the above ecological factors.This indicated the former′s habitat is more decentralized while Chevrier′s field mouse′s habitat is more centralized or its habitat use is more specialized. Stepwise discriminant function analysis showed the four variables of elevation,vegetation stage of succession,canopy,and herb height contributed more to habitat separation between the two small mammals than others.The higher discriminant function coefficients indicated the two species could coexist sympatrically. Habitat-use strategies are often cited as the means by which sympatric species avoid competition.Occupying separate microhabitats is common among sympatric species.It seemed that these two small mammals can coexist and evolve in the same region contributing to their temporal and spatial separation in habitat use.Since they have similar body sizes and breeding dates and share the same food sources,we hypothesize habitat separation between the two species may not have resulted from differences in physiological and ecological requirements,but from ecological or evolutionary adjustment to reduce interspecific competition.Based on our findings,different habitat management strategies should be adopted for the two species.

The effect of cold-acclimation on energy strategies of Apodemus draco in Hengduan Mountain region

Environmental factors play an important role in the seasonal adaptation of body mass and thermogenesis in small mammals. The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that ambient temperature triggers adjustments in body mass, body temperature, energy intake, digestible energy intake, metabolic energy intake, and the length and weight of the digestive tract, in Apodemus draco during 42 days of cold exposure. Body mass and body temperature of the cold-acclimated group decreased during the first 28 days and then stabilized at the lower levels. After 14 days of cold acclimation, the body mass of the cold-exposed group was significantly lower and the energy intake, digestible energy intake, and metabolic energy intake were significantly elevated relative to control animals. The differences were maximal after 21 days. The length and weight of the digestive tract (both wet and dry mass of the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and cecum) changed significantly in response to decreasing temperature. During cold exposure, A. draco was able to maintain physiological functions and reduce its absolute energy demands by reducing the body mass, increasing energy intake, and adjusting the length of the digestive tract.

Differences in hoarding behaviors among six sympatric rodent species on seeds of oil tea ( Camellia oleifera) in Southwest China

Seed hoarding is an important behavioral adaptation to food shortages for many rodent species. Sympatric rodents may affect the natural regeneration of large-seeded trees differently as seed dispersers or seed predators. Using seeds of oil tea ( Camellia oleifera), we investigated differences in hoarding behaviors among six sympatric rodent species in semi-natural enclosures in a subtropical forest in southwest of China. We found that all these six species ate seeds of C. oleifera, but only Edward’s long-tailed rats ( Leopoldamys edwardsi) were predominantly scatter hoarders; chestnut rats ( Niviventer fulvescens) and white-bellied rats ( Niviventer confucianus) scatter hoarded and larder hoarded few seeds, but were seed predators; South China field mice ( Apodemus draco) exhibited little larder-hoarding behavior; and Chevrier’s field mice ( A. chevrieri) as well as Himalayan rats ( Rattus nitidusa) did not hoard seeds at all. The rodents that engaged in scatter hoarding often formed single-seed caches and tended to cache seeds under grass or shrubs. Our findings indicate that sympatric rodents consuming seeds of the same species of plant can have different hoarding strategies, affecting seed dispersal and plant regeneration differently. We conclude by discussing the role of these species in hoarding seeds of C. oleifera and highlight the essential role of Edward’s long-tailed rats as predominantly potential dispersers of this plant species.

Comparative phylogeography of four Apodemus species (Mammalia: Rodentia) in the Asian Far East: evidence of Quaternary climatic changes in their genetic structure

The phylogeography of four Apodemus species (Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus peninsulae, Apodemus latronum, and Apodemus draco) was studied in the Far East of Asia, based on sequences of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene. The results obtained show the existence of many different genetic lineages within the studied Apodemus species, suggesting the isolation and differentiation of populations in multiple refuge areas. Higher genetic diversities in some regions such as Yunnan, Sichuan (China), and eastern Russia suggest these areas are potential refuges for these species. The existence of such complex genetic structures could be linked to the presence of many biogeographic barriers (Himalaya Mountains, Tien-shan Mountains, Altai Mountains, Tibetan Plateau, Gobi desert, Yunnan Guizhou Plateau, Dzungaria basin, and others) in these regions, which were probably reinforced during the Quaternary climate changes. These barriers also played an important role concerning the low dispersal abilities of the two studied Apodemus species adapted to forest habitats (A. latronum and A. draco) with respect to colonizing regions other than China. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 100, 797-821.