The gut microbiota has gained attention because of its importance in facilitating host survival and evolution.However,it is unclear whether gut microbial communities are determined by the host(heritable factor) or env...The gut microbiota has gained attention because of its importance in facilitating host survival and evolution.However,it is unclear whether gut microbial communities are determined by the host(heritable factor) or environment(environmental factor).In this study,we investigated the gut microbial communities and potential functional signatures of two sympatric species distributed along an elevation gradient,the toadheaded lizards Phrynocephalus axillaris and P.forsythii.Our results indicated that at high elevations,the gut microbial communities of P.axillaris and P.forsythii did not significantly differ,and the phylogenetic relationships of gut microbial communities contradicted their hosts.At low altitudes,the two lizards could be distinguished based on their significantly different gut microbial communities.Compared to low-altitude populations,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis showed that at higher altitudes,energy metabolism,such as carbohydrate,lipid,and amino acids metabolism were higher in both lizards.While a larger number of pathogenic bacteria were found in the lowaltitude population of P.forsythii.This suggests that the convergence of gut microbiota of two lizards at highaltitude stem from environmental factors,as they were exposed to the same environmental stress,whereas the divergence at low-altitude stemmed from heritable factors,as they were exposed to different environmental stresses.These results provide a new perspective regarding whether heritable or environmental factors dominate the gut microbiota during exposure to environmental stress.展开更多
Phrynocephalus guinanensis has sexual dimorphism in abdominal coloration, but its ontogenetic development of sexual size dimorphism （SSD） is unknown. Using mark-recapture data during four days each year from August ...Phrynocephalus guinanensis has sexual dimorphism in abdominal coloration, but its ontogenetic development of sexual size dimorphism （SSD） is unknown. Using mark-recapture data during four days each year from August from 2014 to 2016, we investigated the development of sex ratios, SSD, sex-specific survivorship and growth rates in a population of P guinanensis. Our results indicated that the sex ratio of males to females was 1：2.8. Males had a lower survival rate （6%） than females （14%） across the age range from hatchling to adult, which supported the discovered female-biased sex ratio potentially associated with the low survival rate of males between hatchlings and juveniles. Male-biased SSD in tail length and head width existed in adults rather than in hatchling or juvenile lizards. The growth rates in body dimensions were undistinguishable between the sexes during the age from hatchling to juvenile, but the growth rate in head length from juvenile to adult was significantly larger in males than females. Average growth rate of all morphological measurements from hatchling to juvenile were larger compared with corresponding measurements from juvenile to adult, but only being significant in tail length, head width, abdomen length in females and snout-vent length in males. We provided a case study to strengthen our understanding of the important life history traits on how a viviparous lizard population can survive and develop their morphology in cold climates.展开更多
In Thailand,the forest crested lizard,Calotes emma consists of two subspecies,C.emma alticristatus Schmidt,1925 and C.emma emma Gray,1845.This study was performed to determine the genetic diversity and differentiation...In Thailand,the forest crested lizard,Calotes emma consists of two subspecies,C.emma alticristatus Schmidt,1925 and C.emma emma Gray,1845.This study was performed to determine the genetic diversity and differentiation of C.emma from 16 different localities throughout Thailand.A total of 116 samples were analyzed using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1(CO1).Of these,65 and 51 of C.e.alticristatus and C.e.emma were classified into 23(N1-N23)and 21(S1-S21)haplotypes,respectively.There was no shared haplotype between subspecies or between different populations within each subspecies.These haplotypes were classified into four(north-A to north-D)and three(south-A to south-C)haplogroups of C.e aliristaus and C.e.emma,respectively.Phylogenetic analyses retrieved four lineages(classified asⅠtoⅣ).LineagesⅠandⅡcontained the four haplogroups of C.e.alicristatus,whereas lineageⅡandⅣcontained three haplogroups of C.e.emma.These two subspecies live separately in different climate zones,ie.C.e.alticristatus is found in an equatorial winter dry climate,whereas C.e.emma inha bits areas with an equa torial monsoonal clima te.展开更多
We describe the complete mitochondrial genome of a small-scaled forest agamid （Pseudocalotes microlepis）, which is 17 873 bp in size, containing 13 PCGs, 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs and non-coding regions. The mitogenome has ...We describe the complete mitochondrial genome of a small-scaled forest agamid （Pseudocalotes microlepis）, which is 17 873 bp in size, containing 13 PCGs, 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs and non-coding regions. The mitogenome has a typical gene order among squamates. 13 PCGs include 2 start codons （ATG and ATA）, 3 stop codons （TAG, TAA and AGG）, and an incomplete stop codon （T-）. Codon usage analyses showed that CUA-Leul and CGG-Arg are the most frequently and rarely used codon, respectively. All 22 tRNAs were predicted to form canonical cloverleaf secondary structures, except for two tRNAs （tRNAcys and tRNASer （AGY）） lacking the dihydorouridine （DHU） arm. The large non- coding region （control region） is 2 687 bp long （28.3% T, 18.2% C, 42.3% A, and 11.2% G）, with four different types of repeating sequences. The phylogenetic tree resulting from BEAST analyses based on concatenated 2 rRNAs and 13 PCGs in sequence revealed that the newly sequenced P. microlepis, where the genus Acanthosaura were aggregated. Together with Calotes versicolor, they constitute the subfamily Draconinae.展开更多
Calotes versicolor Daudin,1802,is geographically widespread along the Mekong River basin.The Mekong River is play important role as a significant natural barrier to several terrestrial animals living on different side...Calotes versicolor Daudin,1802,is geographically widespread along the Mekong River basin.The Mekong River is play important role as a significant natural barrier to several terrestrial animals living on different sides.This study aims to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of C.versicolor populations collected from different sides of Mekong River using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1(CO1)sequences.We obtained sequences of 200 individuals from 18 sampling localities from left and right sides of the Mekong River in Lao PDR and Thailand respectively.Overall,91 haplotypes were detected,which reflect high levels of genetic diversity in this species at the study areas.Haplotype network and phylogenetic analyses revealed that there were six major lineages(lineage C–lineage H)of C.versicolor populations within the Mekong River,whereas lineages A and B have previously been found from China and Vietnam.The genetic distance among C.versicolor was significantly related to spatial distance,however,the Mekong River had no significant effect on genetic distance.Our findings,together with previous studies,suggests that C.versicolor in Asia is a species complex with other cryptic lineages being likely but there is a need for further exploration.Thus,comprehensive genetic,biological and ecological studies of C.versicolor should be conducted throughout its entire distribution range.展开更多
We examined the dietary diversity and food intake of Phrynocephalus frontalis, compared the difference of insect diversity in the natural habitats with different lizard densities, and discussed the potential role of t...We examined the dietary diversity and food intake of Phrynocephalus frontalis, compared the difference of insect diversity in the natural habitats with different lizard densities, and discussed the potential role of this lizard in the desert ecosystem. The results show that： （1） arthropodans of the orders Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Hemiptera were major dietary components of P. frontalis; （2） coleoptera larvae always formed the predominant component of lizard diets; （3） dietary diversities of P. frontalis were not significantly different between summer and autumn or between the two sexes; （4） the similarity in trophic niches between seasons was 0.756, whereas the similarity in trophic niches between sexes was 0.994; （5） stomach content weight of lizards varied significantly among different seasons, but there was no significant difference in stomach content weight between sexes; （6） insect diversity differed significantly among the groups of the habitat with different degrees of lizard density, and the habitat with moderate lizards density had the highest insect diversity. We infer that P. frontalis prey mainly on insects and change their diet and food intake with season; males and females consumed similar preys in types and weights. As an important predator, P. frontalis could affect the insect community in the arid ecosystem of Hunshandak Desert on the Mongolian Plateau.展开更多
The majority of extant reptiles are oviparous and produce eggs with three major components:embryo,yolk,and eggshell.The eggshell is species-specific and more diverse in squamate reptiles than in other amniote taxa.Her...The majority of extant reptiles are oviparous and produce eggs with three major components:embryo,yolk,and eggshell.The eggshell is species-specific and more diverse in squamate reptiles than in other amniote taxa.Here,we study the crystal structure,chemical composition,and bonding states of the eggshell of the green crested lizard Bronchocela cristatella.X-ray diffractometer(XRD)analysis showed the existence of two clearly defined and distinguishable crystalline phases,aragonite and calcite.Using the XRD data and a unit cell refinement routine,we identified two sets of cell parameters:a=4.956 A,b=7.965 A,and c=5.734 A for the aragonite phase;a=4.987 A,b=4.987 A,and c=17.056 A for the calcite structure.We used x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to examine detailed elemental composition and bonding states and found that the eggshell was composed primarily of elements C,N,Ca,and O,with C,N and O bonded to various types of hybridization in the protein of the eggshell membrane.The Ca:C:O ratio for the calcium carbonate yielded a value of-7:8:21,which is close to the expected stoichiometric value of CaCO3.展开更多
Endoctinological action is generally thought to be a way for animals to respond to stress at low temperatures. To learn the role of hormones in ectotherms inhabiting alpine environments, we studied the effects of acut...Endoctinological action is generally thought to be a way for animals to respond to stress at low temperatures. To learn the role of hormones in ectotherms inhabiting alpine environments, we studied the effects of acute low temperature exposure on tile endocrinological reactions of Qinghai toad-headed lizards in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. We monitored plasma corticos- terone and insulin concentration of the lizards under five low temperature treatments. We found no significant difference in plasma corticosterone or insulin in lizards among our five different treatments. For males and females the correlation between plasma corticosterone and insulin concentrations was not significant. In contrast to other studies on reptiles at low altitude, we suggest that due to the alpine environment （low temperature and low oxygen concentration） they inhabit, Qinghai toad-headed lizards respond to experimental cold stress slightly to mobilize energy and live their vivid life. In addition, corticosterone and insulin of Qinghai toad-headed lizards are secreted independently along with low temperature treatments展开更多
This paper describes a new species of the rock agamid genus Laudakia . The new species is closely similar to L. tuberculata (Hardwicke et Gray),but the new species differs from the latter in that:①nostril i...This paper describes a new species of the rock agamid genus Laudakia . The new species is closely similar to L. tuberculata (Hardwicke et Gray),but the new species differs from the latter in that:①nostril is situated in center of elliptic nasal,directing outwards and rearwards;②one supranasal;③superciliary ridge poorly developed,blunt and not everting upwards;④dorsum and flanks with many small,light colored spots,the large,conic scales scattered on flanks are not situated in those spots.展开更多
The Ching Hai Toad-headed Agama(Phrynocephalus vlangalii) complex is a small toad-headed viviparous lizard that is endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A fragment of mtDNA ND4-tRNALEU from 189 samples in 26 populat...The Ching Hai Toad-headed Agama(Phrynocephalus vlangalii) complex is a small toad-headed viviparous lizard that is endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A fragment of mtDNA ND4-tRNALEU from 189 samples in 26 populations was used to infer the phylogeographic history of this species complex in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that P. vlangalii and another proposed species(P. putjatia) do not form a monophyletic mtDNA clade,which in contrast with a previous study,includes P. theobaldi and P. forsythii. Lineage diversification occurred in the Middle Pleistocene for P. vlangali(ca. 0.95 Ma) and in the Early Pleistocene for P. putjatia(ca. 1.78 Ma). The uplift of the A’nyemaqen Mountains and glaciations since the mid-late Pleistocene,especially during the Kunlun Glaciation,are considered to have promoted the allopartric divergence of P. vlangalii. The diversification of P. putjatia may be triggered by the tectonic movement in the Huangshui River valley during the C phase of Qingzang Movement. Subsequently,the glacial climate throughout the Pleistocene may have continued to impede the gene flow of P. putjatia,eventually resulting in the genetic divergence of P. putjatia in the allopatric regions. Demographic estimates revealed weak population expansion in one lineage of P. vlangalii(A2,the Qaidam Basin lineage) and one lineage of P. putjatia(B2,the north Qinghai Lake lineage) after approximately 42 000 years before present. However,constant population size through time was inferred for two lineages(A1 and B1),the source of Yellow River lineage of P. vlangalii and the southeast of Qinghai Lake lineage of P. putjatia,possibly due to stable populations persisting in areas unaffected by glacial advances. Our results also suggest: 1) at least four differentiated lineages of P. vlangalii complex may have evolved allopatrically in different regions during the Pleistocene glaciation events; 2) in support of several recent studies,P. putjatia is a valid species,having a more wide distribution than previously considered; and 3) a hypothesis referring to P. v. hongyuanensis,inhabiting in the source region of the Yellow River,being synonymous with P. v. pylozwi is supported.展开更多
The pattern that many ectotherms have smaller body sizes in coM environments follows the converse to Bergmann＇s rule and is most frequently found in lizards. Allen＇s rule predicts animals from warm climates usually ...The pattern that many ectotherms have smaller body sizes in coM environments follows the converse to Bergmann＇s rule and is most frequently found in lizards. Allen＇s rule predicts animals from warm climates usually have longer tails and limbs, while these traits tend to be shorter in individuals from cold climates. We examined body size variation in an endemic Chinese lizard Phrynocephalus theobaldi along a broad elevational gradient （3,600-5,000 m on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau）. Female body size showed a U-shaped cline, decreasing with increased elevation within the range 3,600-4,200 m, but increasing at eleva- tions 〉 4200 m. Male body size continued to increase with increasing elevations. Both sexes showed an increased pattern of ex- tremity length with elevation that does not conform to Allen＇s rule. Limb length and tail length increased along the elevational gradients. In terms of color pattern, an abdominal black speckled area appears at elevations 〉4,200 m. This trait increases in size with increased elevation. Unlike most studies, our results indicated that annual sunshine hours corresponding to the activity pe- riod of the lizards could play an important role on the positive body size cline in environments at very high elevations 〉 4200 m展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.31471988 and N0.31200287)。
文摘The gut microbiota has gained attention because of its importance in facilitating host survival and evolution.However,it is unclear whether gut microbial communities are determined by the host(heritable factor) or environment(environmental factor).In this study,we investigated the gut microbial communities and potential functional signatures of two sympatric species distributed along an elevation gradient,the toadheaded lizards Phrynocephalus axillaris and P.forsythii.Our results indicated that at high elevations,the gut microbial communities of P.axillaris and P.forsythii did not significantly differ,and the phylogenetic relationships of gut microbial communities contradicted their hosts.At low altitudes,the two lizards could be distinguished based on their significantly different gut microbial communities.Compared to low-altitude populations,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis showed that at higher altitudes,energy metabolism,such as carbohydrate,lipid,and amino acids metabolism were higher in both lizards.While a larger number of pathogenic bacteria were found in the lowaltitude population of P.forsythii.This suggests that the convergence of gut microbiota of two lizards at highaltitude stem from environmental factors,as they were exposed to the same environmental stress,whereas the divergence at low-altitude stemmed from heritable factors,as they were exposed to different environmental stresses.These results provide a new perspective regarding whether heritable or environmental factors dominate the gut microbiota during exposure to environmental stress.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31372183, 31772447, 31471988)
文摘Phrynocephalus guinanensis has sexual dimorphism in abdominal coloration, but its ontogenetic development of sexual size dimorphism （SSD） is unknown. Using mark-recapture data during four days each year from August from 2014 to 2016, we investigated the development of sex ratios, SSD, sex-specific survivorship and growth rates in a population of P guinanensis. Our results indicated that the sex ratio of males to females was 1：2.8. Males had a lower survival rate （6%） than females （14%） across the age range from hatchling to adult, which supported the discovered female-biased sex ratio potentially associated with the low survival rate of males between hatchlings and juveniles. Male-biased SSD in tail length and head width existed in adults rather than in hatchling or juvenile lizards. The growth rates in body dimensions were undistinguishable between the sexes during the age from hatchling to juvenile, but the growth rate in head length from juvenile to adult was significantly larger in males than females. Average growth rate of all morphological measurements from hatchling to juvenile were larger compared with corresponding measurements from juvenile to adult, but only being significant in tail length, head width, abdomen length in females and snout-vent length in males. We provided a case study to strengthen our understanding of the important life history traits on how a viviparous lizard population can survive and develop their morphology in cold climates.
基金This research was supported by Higher Education Research Promotion(HERP),FY2015 to W.Saijuntha.We would like to thank Dr.Adrian R.Plant for English proofreading.
文摘In Thailand,the forest crested lizard,Calotes emma consists of two subspecies,C.emma alticristatus Schmidt,1925 and C.emma emma Gray,1845.This study was performed to determine the genetic diversity and differentiation of C.emma from 16 different localities throughout Thailand.A total of 116 samples were analyzed using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1(CO1).Of these,65 and 51 of C.e.alticristatus and C.e.emma were classified into 23(N1-N23)and 21(S1-S21)haplotypes,respectively.There was no shared haplotype between subspecies or between different populations within each subspecies.These haplotypes were classified into four(north-A to north-D)and three(south-A to south-C)haplogroups of C.e aliristaus and C.e.emma,respectively.Phylogenetic analyses retrieved four lineages(classified asⅠtoⅣ).LineagesⅠandⅡcontained the four haplogroups of C.e.alicristatus,whereas lineageⅡandⅣcontained three haplogroups of C.e.emma.These two subspecies live separately in different climate zones,ie.C.e.alticristatus is found in an equatorial winter dry climate,whereas C.e.emma inha bits areas with an equa torial monsoonal clima te.
基金provided by grant from Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation to Longhui LIN (LY17C030003)grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31270571 and 31670422)
文摘We describe the complete mitochondrial genome of a small-scaled forest agamid （Pseudocalotes microlepis）, which is 17 873 bp in size, containing 13 PCGs, 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs and non-coding regions. The mitogenome has a typical gene order among squamates. 13 PCGs include 2 start codons （ATG and ATA）, 3 stop codons （TAG, TAA and AGG）, and an incomplete stop codon （T-）. Codon usage analyses showed that CUA-Leul and CGG-Arg are the most frequently and rarely used codon, respectively. All 22 tRNAs were predicted to form canonical cloverleaf secondary structures, except for two tRNAs （tRNAcys and tRNASer （AGY）） lacking the dihydorouridine （DHU） arm. The large non- coding region （control region） is 2 687 bp long （28.3% T, 18.2% C, 42.3% A, and 11.2% G）, with four different types of repeating sequences. The phylogenetic tree resulting from BEAST analyses based on concatenated 2 rRNAs and 13 PCGs in sequence revealed that the newly sequenced P. microlepis, where the genus Acanthosaura were aggregated. Together with Calotes versicolor, they constitute the subfamily Draconinae.
基金Mahasarakham University in FY2015 to W.SAIJUNTHA。
文摘Calotes versicolor Daudin,1802,is geographically widespread along the Mekong River basin.The Mekong River is play important role as a significant natural barrier to several terrestrial animals living on different sides.This study aims to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of C.versicolor populations collected from different sides of Mekong River using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1(CO1)sequences.We obtained sequences of 200 individuals from 18 sampling localities from left and right sides of the Mekong River in Lao PDR and Thailand respectively.Overall,91 haplotypes were detected,which reflect high levels of genetic diversity in this species at the study areas.Haplotype network and phylogenetic analyses revealed that there were six major lineages(lineage C–lineage H)of C.versicolor populations within the Mekong River,whereas lineages A and B have previously been found from China and Vietnam.The genetic distance among C.versicolor was significantly related to spatial distance,however,the Mekong River had no significant effect on genetic distance.Our findings,together with previous studies,suggests that C.versicolor in Asia is a species complex with other cryptic lineages being likely but there is a need for further exploration.Thus,comprehensive genetic,biological and ecological studies of C.versicolor should be conducted throughout its entire distribution range.
基金the financial support of the Knowledge Innovation Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-EW-J-2)the Special Program for Key Basic Research of the Ministry of Science and Technology, China (2013FY110300)
文摘We examined the dietary diversity and food intake of Phrynocephalus frontalis, compared the difference of insect diversity in the natural habitats with different lizard densities, and discussed the potential role of this lizard in the desert ecosystem. The results show that： （1） arthropodans of the orders Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Hemiptera were major dietary components of P. frontalis; （2） coleoptera larvae always formed the predominant component of lizard diets; （3） dietary diversities of P. frontalis were not significantly different between summer and autumn or between the two sexes; （4） the similarity in trophic niches between seasons was 0.756, whereas the similarity in trophic niches between sexes was 0.994; （5） stomach content weight of lizards varied significantly among different seasons, but there was no significant difference in stomach content weight between sexes; （6） insect diversity differed significantly among the groups of the habitat with different degrees of lizard density, and the habitat with moderate lizards density had the highest insect diversity. We infer that P. frontalis prey mainly on insects and change their diet and food intake with season; males and females consumed similar preys in types and weights. As an important predator, P. frontalis could affect the insect community in the arid ecosystem of Hunshandak Desert on the Mongolian Plateau.
文摘The majority of extant reptiles are oviparous and produce eggs with three major components:embryo,yolk,and eggshell.The eggshell is species-specific and more diverse in squamate reptiles than in other amniote taxa.Here,we study the crystal structure,chemical composition,and bonding states of the eggshell of the green crested lizard Bronchocela cristatella.X-ray diffractometer(XRD)analysis showed the existence of two clearly defined and distinguishable crystalline phases,aragonite and calcite.Using the XRD data and a unit cell refinement routine,we identified two sets of cell parameters:a=4.956 A,b=7.965 A,and c=5.734 A for the aragonite phase;a=4.987 A,b=4.987 A,and c=17.056 A for the calcite structure.We used x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to examine detailed elemental composition and bonding states and found that the eggshell was composed primarily of elements C,N,Ca,and O,with C,N and O bonded to various types of hybridization in the protein of the eggshell membrane.The Ca:C:O ratio for the calcium carbonate yielded a value of-7:8:21,which is close to the expected stoichiometric value of CaCO3.
文摘Endoctinological action is generally thought to be a way for animals to respond to stress at low temperatures. To learn the role of hormones in ectotherms inhabiting alpine environments, we studied the effects of acute low temperature exposure on tile endocrinological reactions of Qinghai toad-headed lizards in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. We monitored plasma corticos- terone and insulin concentration of the lizards under five low temperature treatments. We found no significant difference in plasma corticosterone or insulin in lizards among our five different treatments. For males and females the correlation between plasma corticosterone and insulin concentrations was not significant. In contrast to other studies on reptiles at low altitude, we suggest that due to the alpine environment （low temperature and low oxygen concentration） they inhabit, Qinghai toad-headed lizards respond to experimental cold stress slightly to mobilize energy and live their vivid life. In addition, corticosterone and insulin of Qinghai toad-headed lizards are secreted independently along with low temperature treatments
文摘This paper describes a new species of the rock agamid genus Laudakia . The new species is closely similar to L. tuberculata (Hardwicke et Gray),but the new species differs from the latter in that:①nostril is situated in center of elliptic nasal,directing outwards and rearwards;②one supranasal;③superciliary ridge poorly developed,blunt and not everting upwards;④dorsum and flanks with many small,light colored spots,the large,conic scales scattered on flanks are not situated in those spots.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(30700062)the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(KSCX2-EW-Q-6 and KSCX2-EW-J-22)the Western Doctor Fund Project of the‘‘Bright of Western China’’Personnel Training Project
文摘The Ching Hai Toad-headed Agama(Phrynocephalus vlangalii) complex is a small toad-headed viviparous lizard that is endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A fragment of mtDNA ND4-tRNALEU from 189 samples in 26 populations was used to infer the phylogeographic history of this species complex in the upper reaches of the Yellow River. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that P. vlangalii and another proposed species(P. putjatia) do not form a monophyletic mtDNA clade,which in contrast with a previous study,includes P. theobaldi and P. forsythii. Lineage diversification occurred in the Middle Pleistocene for P. vlangali(ca. 0.95 Ma) and in the Early Pleistocene for P. putjatia(ca. 1.78 Ma). The uplift of the A’nyemaqen Mountains and glaciations since the mid-late Pleistocene,especially during the Kunlun Glaciation,are considered to have promoted the allopartric divergence of P. vlangalii. The diversification of P. putjatia may be triggered by the tectonic movement in the Huangshui River valley during the C phase of Qingzang Movement. Subsequently,the glacial climate throughout the Pleistocene may have continued to impede the gene flow of P. putjatia,eventually resulting in the genetic divergence of P. putjatia in the allopatric regions. Demographic estimates revealed weak population expansion in one lineage of P. vlangalii(A2,the Qaidam Basin lineage) and one lineage of P. putjatia(B2,the north Qinghai Lake lineage) after approximately 42 000 years before present. However,constant population size through time was inferred for two lineages(A1 and B1),the source of Yellow River lineage of P. vlangalii and the southeast of Qinghai Lake lineage of P. putjatia,possibly due to stable populations persisting in areas unaffected by glacial advances. Our results also suggest: 1) at least four differentiated lineages of P. vlangalii complex may have evolved allopatrically in different regions during the Pleistocene glaciation events; 2) in support of several recent studies,P. putjatia is a valid species,having a more wide distribution than previously considered; and 3) a hypothesis referring to P. v. hongyuanensis,inhabiting in the source region of the Yellow River,being synonymous with P. v. pylozwi is supported.
基金Acknowledgments This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China （31372183, 31000950）. We thank the Chinese National Climate Data Center for his- torical climatic data, and the Tibetan government for permis- sion to collect specimens. We thank R. Brown, S. Mullin for their kind detailed reviews on the manuscript before submis- sion, and appreciate R. Brown for his extensive help in im- proving the language of the manuscript before publication. We also thank S. Meiri and another anonymous referee for their kind revisions or suggestions on our submitted manuscript.
文摘The pattern that many ectotherms have smaller body sizes in coM environments follows the converse to Bergmann＇s rule and is most frequently found in lizards. Allen＇s rule predicts animals from warm climates usually have longer tails and limbs, while these traits tend to be shorter in individuals from cold climates. We examined body size variation in an endemic Chinese lizard Phrynocephalus theobaldi along a broad elevational gradient （3,600-5,000 m on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau）. Female body size showed a U-shaped cline, decreasing with increased elevation within the range 3,600-4,200 m, but increasing at eleva- tions 〉 4200 m. Male body size continued to increase with increasing elevations. Both sexes showed an increased pattern of ex- tremity length with elevation that does not conform to Allen＇s rule. Limb length and tail length increased along the elevational gradients. In terms of color pattern, an abdominal black speckled area appears at elevations 〉4,200 m. This trait increases in size with increased elevation. Unlike most studies, our results indicated that annual sunshine hours corresponding to the activity pe- riod of the lizards could play an important role on the positive body size cline in environments at very high elevations 〉 4200 m
