Multi-locus analysis supports the taxonomic validity of Arborophila
gingica
guangxiensis Fang Zhou & Aiwu Jiang, 2008 |
| |
Authors: | De Chen Qiong Liu Jiang Chang Aiwu Jiang Fang Zhou Yanyun Zhang Zhengwang Zhang |
| |
Affiliation: | 1.MOE Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;2.State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China;3.College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China;4.College of Animal Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, Guangxi, China |
| |
Abstract: | The taxonomic status of subspecies has long been debated, especially in conservation biology. Some proposed subspecies must be evolutionarily distinct to be considered conservation units. White-necklaced Partridge (Arborophilagingica) comprises two subspecies, Arborophilagingicagingica and Arborophilagingicaguangxiensis. Arborophilagingicaguangxiensis, restricted to three isolated small areas in Guangxi, China, with limited population sizes, is a newly discovered subspecies based on recently identified geographic and phenotypic differences between Arborophilagingicagingica; however, evidence is lacking that can effectively identify whether the subspecies is evolutionarily distinct. Here, three mitochondrial DNA segments and four nuclear introns were used to test whether the two subspecies are reciprocally monophyletic, which has been proposed as an objective method to evaluate evolutionary distinctiveness. The results indicate that the two subspecies are genetically divergent and form reciprocal monophyletic groups. Therefore, this study further supports the taxonomic validity and distinctiveness of Arborophilagingicaguangxiensis and suggests that this subspecies be considered as a conservation unit. |
| |
Keywords: | Conservation unit evolutionary distinctiveness hill partridge mitochondrial DNA nuclear introns monophyletic groups |
|
|