Quaternary climate and environmental changes have shaped genetic differentiation in a Chinese pheasant endemic to the eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

► This study provides the first phylogeographic pattern of Crossoptilon auritum. ► The Crossoptilon auritum is subdivided into four distinct subpopulations. ► Quaternary climate and environmental changes shaped the genetic differentiation. ► These subpopulations represent major conservation units.