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Multilocus phylogeny suggests a distinct species status for the Nepal population of Assam macaques ( Macaca assamensis): implications for evolution and conservation.

ABSTRACT: Phylogenetic relationships within the sinica-group of macaques based on morphological, behavioral, and molecular characteristics have remained controversial. The Nepal population of Assam macaques ( Macaca assamensis) (NPAM), the westernmost population of the species, is morphologically distinct but has never been used in phylogenetic analyses. Here, the phylogenetic relationship of NPAM with other congeners was tested using multiple mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal loci. The divergence times and evolutionary genetic distances among macaques were also estimated. Results revealed two major mitochondrial DNA clades of macaques under the sinica-group: the first clade included M. thibetana, M. sinica, and eastern subspecies of Assam macaque ( M. assamensis assamensis); the second clade included M. radiata together with species from the eastern and central Himalaya, namely, M. leucogenys, M. munzala, and NPAM. Among the second-clade species, NPAM was the first to diverge from the other members of the clade around 1.9 million years ago. Our results revealed that NPAM is phylogenetically distinct from the eastern Assam macaques and closer to other species and hence may represent a separate species. Because of its phylogenetic distinctiveness, isolated distribution, and small population size, the Nepal population of sinica-group macaques warrants detailed taxonomic revision and high conservation priority.

SUBMITTER: Khanal L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7840459 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Multilocus phylogeny suggests a distinct species status for the Nepal population of Assam macaques ( Macaca assamensis): implications for evolution and conservation.

Khanal Laxman L Chalise Mukesh Kumar MK Fan Peng-Fei PF Kyes Randall C RC Jiang Xue-Long XL

Zoological research 20210101 1

Phylogenetic relationships within the sinica-group of macaques based on morphological, behavioral, and molecular characteristics have remained controversial. The Nepal population of Assam macaques ( Macaca assamensis) (NPAM), the westernmost population of the species, is morphologically distinct but has never been used in phylogenetic analyses. Here, the phylogenetic relationship of NPAM with other congeners was tested using multiple mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal loci. The diverg ...[more]

PMID: 33410309

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Dataset Information

Multilocus phylogeny suggests a distinct species status for the Nepal population of Assam macaques ( Macaca assamensis): implications for evolution and conservation.

Publications

Multilocus phylogeny suggests a distinct species status for the Nepal population of Assam macaques ( <i>Macaca assamensis</i>): implications for evolution and conservation.

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