狗獾夜间活动节律是受人类活动影响而形成的吗?基于青海湖地区的研究实例

青海湖地区是目前已知的狗獾分布海拔最高点。为了解狗獾在青藏高原严酷生态环境下的生活史特点, 并验证是否人类干扰造成了狗獾夜行性的假说, 我们利用红外相机技术, 结合无线电遥测和野外调查研究了青海湖湖东地区亚洲狗獾(Meles leucurus)的种群密度、洞穴口的行为及活动节律。结果表明: (1)研究地区狗獾的平均种群密度为1.2 ± 0.6只/km², 其分布受食物丰富度的影响; (2)狗獾基本在夜间活动, 出洞时间集中在20:00-23:00之间, 而回洞时间则集中在清晨4:00-7:00之间, 23:00-4:00之间是狗獾的活动高峰; (3)狗獾离洞前行为主要是警戒行为, 回洞穴时的行为主要是嬉戏行为, 其他行为较少见, 表达具有特定的时间性; (4)人类活动对于狗獾活动没有显著性影响(P < 0.05)。     

红砂基因组大小变异及物种分化

红砂(Reaumuria soongarica, 柽柳科)是广泛分布于亚洲内陆干旱区温带荒漠的建群灌木, 该物种内部经历过分化和杂交事件, 是研究荒漠植物多样性发生和杂交物种形成的理想模型。然而, 红砂不同群体的倍性水平尚不清楚, 制约了对其物种形成机制的深入研究。为了确定红砂不同支系的倍性及基因组大小变异模式, 本研究以红砂幼苗根尖为实验材料, 以野生番茄(Solanum pimpinellifolium)作为内标物种, 利用流式细胞术对分别来自北疆支系及其可能的亲本支系(东部和西部支系)的共8个红砂群体进行了DNA 1C-值测定和分析。结果显示: 红砂东部支系的DNA 1C-值(1.149 ± 0.012 pg)略小于西部支系的1C-值(1.195 ± 0.031 pg)。北疆支系中阜康(FK)和沙湾(SW)群体的DNA 1C-值处于东、西支系的1C-值之间, 而火烧山(HSS)和五彩城(WCC)群体的1C-值接近东、西支系1C-值的2倍。结合之前的分子标记结果, 我们推测北疆支系中阜康和沙湾群体为东、西部支系的同倍体杂交种群, 而火烧山和五彩城群体属于异源四倍体杂交种群。不同倍性的北疆群体起源于不同的杂交事件, 可以划归为不同的物种。     

鼬科动物线粒体DNA控制区结构分析

利用PCR技术获得紫貂(Martes zibellina)和黄喉貂(Martes flavigula)线粒体DNA控制区全序列,并结合从GenBank中下载的9种鼬科动物相应序列,用ClustalX排序后对控制区结构进行分析,识别出延长终止序列区、中央区和保守序列区3个区域,指出了一个终止相关序列ETAS1及8个保守序列(CSB-F、E、D、C、B、1、2和3),并给出了序列通式,在CSB1和CSB2之间发现不同形式的短重复序列.此外,以狼为外类群,应用邻接法构建鼬科线粒体控制区全序列的系统进化树,结果表明:臭鼬亚科最先从鼬科中分化出来,随后剩余类群分为两大支系,即貂属种类与貂熊聚为一支,并与獾亚科的狗獾形成姐妹群;另一支为水獭亚科的物种与鼬属的林鼬形成姐妹群,再与虎鼬聚在一起,狗獾与貂属的紫貂亲缘关系最近,水獭亚科与鼬属亲缘关系最近.     

中国西南高黎贡山绿僵菌物种多样性及其垂直分布特征

云南高黎贡山具有多样化的生态系统和生物资源。为探清该地区绿僵菌属(Metarhizium)真菌的物种多样性及其不同海拔的垂直分布特征, 沿海拔梯度(600-3,800 m)在7种典型植被类型(I: 干热河谷; II: 季风常绿阔叶林; III: 暖性针叶林; IV: 中山暖性常绿阔叶林; V: 山地苔藓矮林; VI: 寒温性灌丛或草甸; VII: 流石滩稀疏植被)中调查绿僵菌资源。从生境土壤中分离菌株, 通过多基因(nrSSU、nrLSU、EF-1α、RPB1和RPB2)系统发育分析进行物种鉴定。结果表明, 高黎贡山绿僵菌物种资源丰富, 获得的161株菌株分属于12个物种(Metarhizium rileyi, M. viridulum, M. lepidiotae, M. brunneum, M. pingshaense, M. anisopliae, M. robertsii, M. guizhouense, M. indigoticum, M. pemphigi, M. campsosterni和Metacordyceps neogunnii), 其中M. indigoticum为中国新记录种, M. anisopliae complex中的物种(8种)较集中; 同时还采集到了绿僵菌的近缘属Nigelia属物种N. martiale。高黎贡山绿僵菌广泛分布于除类型VII (海拔3,600-3,800 m)外的6种植被类型(海拔600-3,400 m)中。中低海拔植被类型(I-IV)中菌株数量较多(≥23株)、物种多样性较高(4-9种), 而高海拔植被类型(V-VI)中菌株数量较少(2-8株)、物种较单一(1-2种)。中海拔的常绿阔叶林中绿僵菌资源最丰富, 其中季风常绿阔叶林(植被类型II)中的菌株数量(52株, 占总数的32.3%)和物种数(9种)最多; 中山湿性常绿阔叶林(植被类型IV)为其次(47株, 占总数的29.2%; 7种)。高黎贡山绿僵菌优势种现象明显, M. brunneum为最优势物种, 其菌株数占总数的46.6%, 在生境条件差异很大的6种植被类型(I-VI)中都存在, 说明该物种生态适应能力最强。     

基于孢子形态和分子证据探讨鳞盖蕨属(碗蕨科)系统分类

孢粉学是解决植物分类中疑难类群物种微形态分化的重要方法, 随着分子系统学的发展, 结合这两门学科的优势可以更加有效地解决疑难类群的分类学问题。鳞盖蕨属(Microlepia)是一个分类困难的疑难类群, 采用孢粉学与分子系统学一一对应的方法, 以及居群取样方式, 选取280份样本, 联合4个叶绿体片段(rbcL、trnL-F、psbA-trnH和rps4), 采用最大似然法和贝叶斯法构建该属的系统发生关系, 在此基础上对凭证标本中100份材料的孢子进行观察和分析。综合分子系统学和孢粉学的研究结果, 得出结论: (1) 在形态学研究中广泛被接受的15个物种得到了单系支持, 并厘清了分类困难的复合群; (2) 发现边缘鳞盖蕨(M. marginata)可能存在隐性种; (3) 建议恢复过去归并处理为异名的瑶山鳞盖蕨(M. yaoshanica)、罗浮鳞盖蕨(M. lofoushanensis)、四川鳞盖蕨(M. szechuanica)以及滇西鳞盖蕨(M. subspeluncae); (4) 提出鳞盖蕨属可能存在杂交现象; (5) 提出鳞盖蕨属完整的属下分类建议。     

笼养狗獾东北亚种繁殖规律

2013年3~10月,使用红外监控设备对哈尔滨市松北区某狗獾养殖场的24只笼养东北亚种狗獾(Meles meles amurensis)的繁殖行为进行全天候观察记录。狗獾3月末至5月初交配,翌年3月末至4月初产仔,妊娠期长达11~12个月。以往国内文献报道狗獾交配时间主要分布于7~8月,这种交配时间的变化表明其延迟着床的时间可能也存在较大变化。对交配期内全天各时段交配频次的观察发现,交配可在全天任一时间段发生,昼、夜差异不大。交配时长10~110 min,多数交配的时长为60~80 min。观察还发现,狗獾交配期内交配频次和时长具有明显的周期性变化。     

异源过表达OsATG8b基因提高转基因拟南芥的 氮/碳胁迫耐受性和产量

氮素是参与植物生长发育的一种重要元素, 对植物的产量和品质具有重要作用。自噬是真核生物中一种保守的细胞组分降解-循环再利用途径, 在植物生长发育和籽粒形成期间的氮素再动员过程中发挥作用。我们鉴定到水稻(Oryza sativa)自噬核心基因OsATG8b, 并获得2个独立的35S-OsATG8b转基因拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)纯合株系。研究表明OsATG8b基因响应低氮胁迫处理, 过表达OsATG8b基因促进转基因拟南芥的生长发育, 使莲座叶增大, 单株产量显著提高(15.16%)。进一步研究表明, 过表达OsATG8b能够显著增强缺氮胁迫下转基因拟南芥叶片中的自噬活性, 从而有效缓解氮胁迫和碳胁迫对转基因拟南芥造成的生长抑制。因此, OsATG8b是提高氮素利用效率和产量的候选基因。     

磷酸肌醇激酶FAB1调控拟南芥根毛伸长

FAB1/PIKfyve是介导PI(3,5)P₂ (磷脂酰肌醇3,5-二磷酸)生物合成的磷酸肌醇激酶。在动物和酵母(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)中, PI(3,5)P₂参与调控胞内膜运输, 但在植物中的研究较少。该文通过分析拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana) FAB1的T-DNA插入突变体的表型解析PI(3,5)P₂的生物学功能。拟南芥FAB1基因家族包含FAB1A、FAB1B、FAB1C和FAB1D四个基因。研究发现, fab1a/b呈现雄配子体致死的表型。利用遗传杂交获得fab1b/c/d三突变体, 发现FAB1B、FAB1C和FAB1D功能缺失导致根毛相比野生型变短, 经FAB1特异性抑制剂YM201636处理后的野生型中也观察到相似的短根毛表型。此外, fab1b/c/d三突变体中DR5转录水平降低。同时, 外源施加生长素类似物2,4-D和NAA能部分恢复fab1b/c/d植株短根毛的表型, 但fab1b/c/d突变体对生长素转运抑制剂(1-NOA和TIBA)的敏感性与野生型相似。此外, FAB1B/C/D功能缺失使根毛中ROS的含量减少且影响肌动蛋白的表达。上述结果表明, FAB1B/C/D通过调控生长素分布、ROS含量和肌动蛋白的表达影响拟南芥根毛伸长。     

鲁桑叶绿体基因组序列及特征分析

鲁桑(Morus multicaulis)是亚洲地区栽培的重要经济作物。以鲁桑品种日本胡橙为实验材料, 利用高通量测序技术对鲁桑叶绿体基因组进行测序, 获得NCBI登录号(KU355297), 并研究鲁桑的叶绿体基因组结构。结合前人对蒙桑(M. mongolica)、印度桑(M. indica)和川桑(M. notabilis)的研究结果, 对鲁桑的系统进化关系进行了探讨。研究结果表明: 鲁桑叶绿体基因组是一个典型的四部分结构, 全长159 154 bp, 共注释130个基因, 包含85个蛋白质编码基因(18个基因在反向重复区重复)、37个转运RNA (tRNA)基因和8个核糖体RNA (rRNA)基因。生物信息学分析表明, 在鲁桑中共搜索到82个SSR位点, 单核苷酸、二核苷酸、三核苷酸、四核苷酸和五核苷酸重复基序个数分别为63、7、2、9和1个, 并没有发现六核苷酸; 其中单核苷酸重复在鲁桑的叶绿体基因组SSR中占76.8%。采用MEGA 6.0软件, 通过最大似然法和近邻结合法对包括4个桑属物种在内的15个物种的叶绿体基因组序列进行聚类分析, 2种方法得到的聚类结果均为鲁桑和蒙桑聚在一起。研究结果对叶绿体基因组工程研究及桑属种间的分子标记开发和优良品种培育具有一定的参考价值。     

侧金盏花属修订(一)

(1)本文承认毛莨科侧金盏花属植物共30种,4亚种,11变种和2变型,并将其等区分为2亚属,6组,6系。(2)根据有关特征分析,发现了一些重要演化趋势,据此确定以特产尼泊尔的Adonis nepalensis为代表的Sect.Leiocarpa为此属的原始群,此属的其他群均源出于此群。(3)根据Sect.Ancistrocarpium,Ser.Amurenses,以及Ser.Apenninae和ser.Vernales的地理分布可分别看出三条迁移路线:(a)由喜马拉雅西部向西到达欧洲西南部,(b)由我国西南部山地向东北沿中国西南-东北走廊到达西伯利亚东部和日本,(c)从我国西南部山地向北到达亚洲北部。(4)一年生的亚属Subgen.Adonis有9种,在中东集中分布了8种,1亚种,6变种,这里是此亚属的次生分化中心,其起源中心可能位于喜马拉雅西部。(5) A.nepalensis具原始的瘦果,但同时又具进化的羽状复叶,因此不是此属的最原始种,后者可能尚未被发现,或已绝灭,根据上述三条迁移路线的分布格局,以及A.nepalensis和Ser.Amurenses的原始种的分布,推测喜马拉雅东部至横断山区一带可能是最原始种和Adonis属起源中心的所在地区。(6)简要回顾了此属的分类历史,并综述了此属的经济用途。     

Phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity of badgers from the Korean Peninsula: Implications for the taxonomic status of the Korean badger

Accurate taxonomic classification of wildlife species is crucial for guiding biological research and for developing effective management and conservation programs. The taxonomic status of Eurasian badgers from South Korea remains poorly resolved. Here we assessed the phylogenetic relationships and genetic variation of Eurasia badgers using partial mitochondrial fragments to elucidate the evolutionary history and taxonomic status of badgers from the Korean Peninsula. Forty-eight unique haplotypes from 125 individuals were observed. Phylogenetic reconstructions and reduced median networks indicate that Eurasian badgers consisted of four geographic clades (Japan, Eastern Eurasia, Western Eurasia, and Caucasus) with a relatively weak split observed within Eastern Eurasia. Estimated divergence time between the Japanese and Eastern Eurasian clades, including the Korean population, was 467,100 years (69,200–1,085,500 years). The results of this study support the hypothesis that the Japanese badger migrated from the Eurasian continent over the Korea-Japan land bridge and that the Korean Peninsula was an important refugia during the Pleistocene. Our study confirmed that the South Korean badger, Meles meles, belongs to the Eastern Eurasian clade. Based on these results and those of previous studies, we recommend that the scientific name of the Korean badger be changed from M. meles to Meles leucurus (Asian badger).     

Mitochondrial DNA reveals a strong phylogeographic structure in the badger across Eurasia

The badger, Meles meles, is a widely distributed mustelid in Eurasia and shows large geographic variability in morphological characters whose evolutionary significance is unclear and needs to be contrasted with molecular data. We sequenced 512 bp of the mitochondrial DNA control region in 115 Eurasian badgers from 21 countries in order to test for the existence of structuring in their phylogeography, to describe the genetic relationships among their populations across its widespread geographic range, and to infer demographic and biogeographic processes. We found that the Eurasian badger is divided into four groups regarding their mitochondrial DNA: Europe, Southwest Asia, North and East Asia, and Japan. This result suggests that the separation of badgers into phylogeographic groups was influenced by cold Pleistocene glacial stages and permafrost boundaries in Eurasia, and by geographic barriers, such as mountains and deserts. Genetic variation within phylogeographic groups based on distances assuming the Tamura-Nei model with rate heterogeneity and invariable sites (d(T-N) range: 3.3-4.2) was much lower than among them (d(T-N) range: 10.7-38.0), and 80% of the variation could be attributed to differences among regions. Spatial analysis of molecular variance (samova), median-joining network, and Mantel test did not detect genetic structuring within any of the phylogeographic groups with the exception of Europe, where 50% of variation was explained by differences among groups of populations. Our data suggest that the European, Southwest Asian, and North and East Asian badgers evolved separately since the end of Pliocene, at the beginnings of glacial ages, whereas Japanese badgers separated from continental Asian badgers during the middle Pleistocene. Endangered badgers from Crete Island, classified as Meles meles arcalus subspecies, were closely related to badgers from Southwest Asia. We also detected sudden demographic growth in European and Southwest Asian badgers that occurred during the Middle Pleistocene.     

Complete taxon sampling of the avian genus Pica (magpies) reveals ancient relictual populations and synchronous Late‐Pleistocene demographic expansion across the Northern Hemisphere

Previous studies have suggested that bird populations in east Asia were less affected by Pleistocene climatic fluctuations than those in Europe and North America. However, this is mainly based on comparisons among species. It would be more relevant to analyse geographical populations of widespread species or species complexes. We analyzed two mitochondrial genes and two nuclear introns for all taxa of Pica to investigate 1) which Earth history factors have shaped the lineage divergence, and 2) whether different geographical populations were differently affected by the Pleistocene climatic changes. Our mitochondrial tree recovered three widespread lineages, 1) in east Asia, 2) across north Eurasia, and 3) in North America, respectively, with three isolated lineages in northwest Africa, Arabia and the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, respectively. Divergences among lineages took place 1.4–3.1 million yr ago. The northwest African population was sister to the others, which formed two main clades. In one of these, Arabia was sister to Qinghai‐Tibet, and these formed the sister clade to the east Asia clade. The other main clade comprised the North American and north Eurasian clades. There was no or very slight structure within these six geographical clades, including a lack of differentiation between the two North American species black‐billed magpie P. hudsonia and yellow‐billed magpie P. nutalli. Demographic expansion was recorded in the three most widespread lineages after 0.06 Ma. Asymmetric gene flow was recorded in the north Eurasian clade from southwestern Europe eastward, whereas the east Asian clade was rooted in south central China. Our results indicate that the fragmentation of the six clades of Pica was related to climatic cooling and aridification during periods of the Pliocene–Pleistocene. Populations on both sides of the Eurasian continent were similarly influenced by the Pleistocene climate changes and expanded concomitantly with the expansion of steppes. Based on results we also propose a revised taxonomy recognising seven species of Pica.     

Postglacial colonisation patterns and the role of isolation and expansion in driving diversification in a passerine bird

Pleistocene glacial cycles play a major role in diversification and speciation, although the relative importance of isolation and expansion in driving diversification remains debated. We analysed mitochondrial DNA sequence data from 15 great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) populations distributed over the vast Eurasian breeding range of the species, and revealed unexpected postglacial expansion patterns from two glacial refugia. There were 58 different haplotypes forming two major clades, A and B. Clade A dominated in Western Europe with declining frequencies towards Eastern Europe and the Middle East, but showed a surprising increase in frequency in Western and Central Asia. Clade B dominated in the Middle East, with declining frequencies towards north in Central and Eastern Europe and was absent from Western Europe and Central Asia. A parsimonious explanation for these patterns is independent postglacial expansions from two isolated refugia, and mismatch distribution analyses confirmed this suggestion. Gene flow analyses showed that clade A colonised both Europe and Asia from a refugium in Europe, and that clade B expanded much later and colonised parts of Europe from a refugium in the Middle East. Great reed warblers in the eastern parts of the range have slightly paler plumage than western birds (sometimes treated as separate subspecies; A. a. zarudnyi and A. a. arundinaceus, respectively) and our results suggest that the plumage diversification took place during the easterly expansion of clade A. This supports the postglacial expansion hypothesis proposing that postglacial expansions drive diversification in comparatively short time periods. However, there is no indication of any (strong) reproductive isolation between clades and our data show that the refugia populations became separated during the last glaciation. This is in line with the Pleistocene speciation hypothesis invoking that much longer periods of time in isolation are needed for speciation to occur.     

Mitochondrial DNA analysis reveals Holarctic homogeneity and a distinct Mediterranean lineage in the Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

The Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is among the most widespread of the birds of prey, covering basically the whole Palaearctic from Europe and North Africa through Asia and Japan, to the North American continent. Only few studies have addressed the species’ genetic structure and the consequences of its demographic history so far, and none of them has covered larger areas of the distribution range. Our present study aims at closing this gap. Based on 283 samples (mostly feathers collected in the field or from museum collections) across the species’ distribution, but with a focus on Europe, we uncover the phylogeography of the Golden eagle. Results imply a phylogeographic split between mainly Northern Europe, Continental Asia, Japan and North America on the one hand and Central–Southern Europe on the other. The observed pattern is likely to be caused by the Last Ice Age, when the population survived in two reproductively isolated glacial refugia. Repopulation of Northern Europe occurred from a presumed Asian refugium, whereas the Alpine range was probably repopulated from a refugium in the Mediterranean region. In Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean and Alpine region we find a co‐occurrence of both lineages that heavily influences the local genetic diversity. This pattern is unlike that in most other large raptors in which usually a western and an eastern Eurasian lineage have been recovered.     

Shaped by uneven Pleistocene climate: mitochondrial phylogeographic pattern and population history of white wagtail Motacilla alba (Aves: Passeriformes)

We studied the phylogeography and population history of the white wagtail Motacilla alba, which has a vast breeding range, covering areas with different Pleistocene climatic histories. The mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit II gene (ND2) and Control Region (CR) were analyzed for 273 individuals from 45 localities. Our data comprised all nine subspecies of white wagtail. Four primary clades were inferred (M, N, SW and SE), with indications of M. grandis being nested within M. alba. The oldest split was between two haplotypes from the endemic Moroccan M. a. subpersonata (clade M) and the others, at 0.63–0.96 Mya; other divergences were at 0.31–0.38 Mya. The entire differentiation falls within the part of the Pleistocene characterized by Milankovitch cycles of large amplitudes and durations. Clade N was distributed across the northern Palearctic; clade SW in southwestern Asia plus the British Isles and was predicted by Ecological niche models (ENMs) to occur also in central and south Europe; and clade SE was distributed in central and east Asia. The deep divergence within M. a. subpersonata may reflect retention of ancestral haplotypes. Regional differences in historical climates have had different impacts on different populations: clade N expanded after the last glacial maximum (LGM), whereas milder Pleistocene climate of east Asia allowed clade SE a longer expansion time (since MIS 5); clade SW expanded over a similarly long time as clade SE, which is untypical for European species. ENMs supported these conclusions in that the northern part of the Eurasian continent was unsuitable during the LGM, whereas southern parts remained suitable. The recent divergences and poor structure in the mitochondrial tree contrasts strongly with the pronounced, well defined phenotypical differentiation, indicating extremely fast plumage divergence.     

Nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenies provide evidence for four species of Eurasian badgers (Carnivora)

Del Cerro, I., Marmi, J., Ferrando, A., Chashchin, P., Taberlet, P. & Bosch, M. (2010). Nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenies provide evidence for four species of Eurasian badgers (Carnivora). —Zoologica Scripta, 39, 415–425. The Eurasian badgers (Meles spp.) have a fairly widespread distribution in the Palearctic region and their great morphological variability throughout the vast geographic area has nourished an intense debate about the classification of this taxon. Therefore, the aim of this study was to clarify controversies in Eurasian badger taxonomy by means of a new molecular phylogeny. One‐hundred and seventeen individuals of Eurasian badgers from 18 countries throughout Eurasia were sequenced for up to 3257 bp of nuclear DNA over six loci (ACTC, BGN, CFTR, CHRNA1, TS and TTR) and 512 bp of the mitochondrial DNA control region. Statistical and phylogenetic analyses for combined nDNA, mtDNA and the total‐evidence data clearly showed a strong genetic differentiation in four well‐supported clades, three of which corresponded to allopatric badger species previously defined according to morphological data: Meles meles Linnaeus, 1758 in Europe; Meles leucurus Hodgson, 1847 in the continental part of Asia, except the south‐west part; and M. anakuma Temminck, 1844 in Japan. Up to now, the fourth clade, made up of individuals from south‐west Asia, had been considered as a subspecies. Supported by several pieces of morphological evidence, the new phylogeny revealed that it is necessary to revise the current taxonomic classification of Meles spp. and suggested that the badgers from south‐west Asia should be recognised as a separate species, being renamed M. canescens Blanford, 1875.     

A study of hominin dispersal out of Africa using computer simulations

A study of hominin dispersal out of Africa using computer simulations is presented. Attention is focused on the joint probability of the colonization of Western Europe later than 1 Ma and that of Eastern Asia prior to 1.6 or 1.8 Ma, as current archaeological estimates suggest. We found that the determinant factor to hominin dispersal is the mode of hominin movement. If the movement of all populations is uniform and their number great enough, greater than 300 in our models, then such movement favors the colonization of Eastern Asia and Western Europe at more or less the same time. On the other hand, the colonization acquires prominent probabilistic features if the number of populations migrating is small enough, smaller than 10 in our models, or when all hominin populations may move but there are only a few with much higher mobility. In this case, the joint probability for the earliest dispersals of hominins in Western Europe after 1 Ma and Eastern Asia prior to 1.6 Ma ranges from 0.02 to 0.05. The single probability of colonization of Western Europe after 1 Ma is very high, about 0.5 for the majority of the colonization routes, whereas the corresponding probability of the colonization of Eastern Asia prior to 1.6 Ma is ten times lower, about 0.05. The least probable event is the earliest colonization of Java prior to 1.6 Ma, to which our simulation attributes a probability of ca 0.01. Deserts, mountains, and mountain ranges may delay the arrival at a certain location; nevertheless, their effect on the joint probability is very small.     

Molecular phylogeny and intraspecific differentiation of the Eremias velox complex of the Iranian Plateau and Central Asia (Sauria,Lacertidae)

The Central Asian racerunner, Eremias velox, is a widely distributed lizard of the Eurasian lacertid genus Eremias. Nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial genes, cyt b and 12S rDNA from 13 geographically distant localities in Iran and Central Asia, were analysed. Phylogenetic analyses of the sequence data unambiguously recovered five major clades within the E. velox complex with a high level of genetic divergence, indicating long periods of isolation. The basal position of the Iranian clades in the phylogenetic trees suggests that the E. velox clade originated on the Iranian plateau in the Middle Miocene. According to our calibrations, the northern Iranian clade diverged first some 10–11 Ma and that the Central Asian lineages split from the northeastern Iranian lineage approximately 6 Ma, most likely as a result of uplifting of the Kopet‐Dagh Mountains in the northern margin of the Iranian plateau. Topology of the phylogenetic trees, combined with the degree of the genetic distances among the independent lineages recovered in this study, provide a solid foundation for a fundamental revision of the taxonomic status of the major clades within this species complex.