Mitochondrial DNA diversification, molecular phylogeny, and biogeography of the primitive rhacophorid genus Buergeria in East Asia

In this study we sought to clarify the evolutionary relationships and biogeographic history of the bell-ring frog, Buergeria buergeri (family Rhacophoridae), and two congeneric species Buergeria japonica and Buergeria robusta, by analyzing three mitochondrial (mt) genes: 12S rRNA, Cytb, and ND5. Phylogenetic analyses based on gene data showed the mt clades corresponding to the Buergeria species and three major haplogroups within B. buergeri. Each haplogroup corresponded clearly to the area in which it was distributed, namely eastern Japan (excluding Hokkaido; Hg I), central Japan (Hg II), and western Japan (including the Shikoku and Kyushu regions; Hg III). The estimated divergence time suggested that the lineage splits of the Buergeria species occurred before the formation of the island of Taiwan and the Japan Archipelago (including the Ryukyu islands). The differentiation among the genealogical lineages of B. buergeri seems to have begun in the Late Miocene (approx. 7-5 Mya), and the formation of their present distribution pattern might have been influenced by climatic changes and geographical events such as the formation of a wide peneplane and expansions of certain basins.

Research highlights► Buergeria lineage splits might have occurred before the formation of Asian islands. ► Each haplogroup of B. buergeri corresponded to eastern, central, and western Japan. ► The divergence of B. buergeri seems to have begun in the Late Miocene. ► Climatic changes and geographical events may cause lineage splits of B. buergeri.