Phylogeographic and genetic insights into Sinonychia martensi: an endemic cave-dwelling harvestman in Beijing
Abstract Caves are one of the most exciting environments on earth, often considered an evolutionary laboratory due to the suite of convergent adaptive traits (troglomorphisms) of organisms inhabiting them. Sinonychia martensi Zhang & Derkarabetian, 2021, is the first and only Travunioidea specie...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-024-02341-z |
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| author | Ruoyi Xiao Jingjing Zhao Likun Zhao Shahan Derkarabetian Feng Zhang Chao Zhang |
| author_facet | Ruoyi Xiao Jingjing Zhao Likun Zhao Shahan Derkarabetian Feng Zhang Chao Zhang |
| author_sort | Ruoyi Xiao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Caves are one of the most exciting environments on earth, often considered an evolutionary laboratory due to the suite of convergent adaptive traits (troglomorphisms) of organisms inhabiting them. Sinonychia martensi Zhang & Derkarabetian, 2021, is the first and only Travunioidea species recorded in China and is endemic to Beijing, being known from multiple caves. However, nothing is known regarding its phylogeographic or evolutionary history. In this study, we assessed the species boundaries of S. martensi from nine caves using morphological and molecular methods to elucidate its phylogenetic position and genealogical relationships. We also investigated the genetic diversity, population genetic structure and demographic history of S. martensi to clarify the population-level relationships and make inferences about historical phylogeography. The results indicate that the species from different caves all belonged to S. martensi but represent different populations. These populations exhibit strong population structure and low genetic diversity. Cave populations may share a common ancestor and multiple independent invasions to different caves. The diversification within S. martensi was likely driven by climate change and subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests associated with the middle Miocene. This study highlights the need for further conservation efforts and exploration in Beijing caves. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8cd09f1c2aa2475ca55c423e853cb0d8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2730-7182 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj-art-8cd09f1c2aa2475ca55c423e853cb0d82025-01-12T12:05:01ZengBMCBMC Ecology and Evolution2730-71822025-01-0125112010.1186/s12862-024-02341-zPhylogeographic and genetic insights into Sinonychia martensi: an endemic cave-dwelling harvestman in BeijingRuoyi Xiao0Jingjing Zhao1Likun Zhao2Shahan Derkarabetian3Feng Zhang4Chao Zhang5Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei UniversityHebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei UniversityHebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei UniversityDepartment of Entomology, San Diego Natural History MuseumHebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei UniversityKey Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Application, Institute of Life Science and Green Development, College of Life Sciences, Hebei UniversityAbstract Caves are one of the most exciting environments on earth, often considered an evolutionary laboratory due to the suite of convergent adaptive traits (troglomorphisms) of organisms inhabiting them. Sinonychia martensi Zhang & Derkarabetian, 2021, is the first and only Travunioidea species recorded in China and is endemic to Beijing, being known from multiple caves. However, nothing is known regarding its phylogeographic or evolutionary history. In this study, we assessed the species boundaries of S. martensi from nine caves using morphological and molecular methods to elucidate its phylogenetic position and genealogical relationships. We also investigated the genetic diversity, population genetic structure and demographic history of S. martensi to clarify the population-level relationships and make inferences about historical phylogeography. The results indicate that the species from different caves all belonged to S. martensi but represent different populations. These populations exhibit strong population structure and low genetic diversity. Cave populations may share a common ancestor and multiple independent invasions to different caves. The diversification within S. martensi was likely driven by climate change and subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests associated with the middle Miocene. This study highlights the need for further conservation efforts and exploration in Beijing caves.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-024-02341-zArachnidaGrassatoresDivergence timeMale genitaliaChina |
| spellingShingle | Ruoyi Xiao Jingjing Zhao Likun Zhao Shahan Derkarabetian Feng Zhang Chao Zhang Phylogeographic and genetic insights into Sinonychia martensi: an endemic cave-dwelling harvestman in Beijing BMC Ecology and Evolution Arachnida Grassatores Divergence time Male genitalia China |
| title | Phylogeographic and genetic insights into Sinonychia martensi: an endemic cave-dwelling harvestman in Beijing |
| title_full | Phylogeographic and genetic insights into Sinonychia martensi: an endemic cave-dwelling harvestman in Beijing |
| title_fullStr | Phylogeographic and genetic insights into Sinonychia martensi: an endemic cave-dwelling harvestman in Beijing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Phylogeographic and genetic insights into Sinonychia martensi: an endemic cave-dwelling harvestman in Beijing |
| title_short | Phylogeographic and genetic insights into Sinonychia martensi: an endemic cave-dwelling harvestman in Beijing |
| title_sort | phylogeographic and genetic insights into sinonychia martensi an endemic cave dwelling harvestman in beijing |
| topic | Arachnida Grassatores Divergence time Male genitalia China |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-024-02341-z |
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