Phylogenetic reassessment of gorals with new evidence from northern Myanmar reveals five distinct species |
| |
Authors: | Guogang Li Nan Sun Kyaw Swa Mingxia Zhang Ye Htet Lwin Rui-Chang Quan |
| |
Institution: | 1. Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, Yunnan, 666303 China;2. Hponkan Razi Wildlife Sanctuary Offices, Putao, Kachin, 01051 Myanmar |
| |
Abstract: | Researchers have recognised one to seven species of goral (Naemorhedus spp., Caprinae, Bovidae). We compared all available whole mitogenomic sequences, including eight new ones from northern Myanmar, and now recognise five distinct species. Naemorhedus caudatus remains a valid species. Naemorhedus griseus is a synonym of Naemorhedus goral. Naemorhedus evansi is a valid species, with a geographic range that extends northwards into southwestern China. Naemorhedus cranbrooki and Naemorhedus baileyi are distinct species, not synonyms. Molecular divergence analyses suggest that goral speciation was closely related to the rapid uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Hengduan Mountains from the early Pliocene to the Pleistocene. |
| |
Keywords: | Biogeography gorals mitogenome Naemorhedus northern Myanmar phylogenetics Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and Hengduan Mountains |
|
|