Effects of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau uplift and environmental changes on phylogeographic structure of the Daurian Partridge (Perdix dauuricae) in China

Data from eight microsatellite loci were used to assess the evolutionary demographic processes of Daurian Partridges from 285 individuals distributed among 23 populations throughout much of the species' distribution range in China. Phylogenetic analysis using microsatellite DNA data indicated that the species were geographically structured and were split into two distinctive phylogroups A and B, splitting partridges geographically from high plateaus vs. lowlands in northern China with high bootstrap support in phylogenetic trees. Each of cluster A and cluster B was comprised with two subgroups respectively. Cluster A was further subdivided into the Loess Plateau group and the Qinghai-Tibetan group. Two subgroups of cluster B corresponded to populations of Liupan Mountains and northern China, respectively. This subdivision was confirmed by Bayesian clustering and population assignment analyses of microsatellite genotypes which indicated strong isolation of these groups/populations. Our results suggested that the vicariance patterns of genetic structures of Daurian Partridge may have resulted from: (1) the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and the Loess Plateau followed by the increased aridification and desertification in northern China in Middle Pleistocene, (2) the monsoon and the existence of Qinling Mountains and Liupan Mountains, and (3) the glacial cycles from the late of Middle Pleistocene to early of Late Pleistocene. In addition, BOTTLENECK analysis indicated that Daurian Partridge had been experienced recent evolutionary bottlenecks.

Highlights► We provided the first evidence on phylogeography of Daurian Partridge using microsatellite data. ► The species has four dinstinctive genetic clusters which geographically corresponds to different ecogeographic areas in China. ► The formatting of genetic structures of this species was shaped by topographical and environmental changes caused by uplift of the Tibetan Plateau in late Pleistocene.