Molecular demographic history of the Hainan Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron katsumatae) and its conservation implications

Abstract

Knowledge of the historical responses of animal species to climate changes is critical for understanding their evolutionary history and conservation. During the late Quaternary period, Southeast Asia had a larger land area than today due to lower sea levels, and its terrestrial landscape was covered by extensive forests and savannah. To date, however, the general fluctuations in landscape distribution and their impacts on the demographics history of native species during the late Quaternary periods are still disputed. Specifically, the responses of animals on Hainan Island, which is located in the northernmost region of Southeast Asia, to historical climate changes, are poorly understood. Here, we performed a series of demographic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA genes to examine the response of the resident Hainan Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron katsumatae) to climate change. Unlike the pattern of population collapse during the ice age and expansion during the warming period, we detected a historical expansion pattern in the demographic history of Hainan Peacock Pheasant through the late Quaternary period. It was concluded that the Hainan Peacock Pheasant survived through the late Quaternary periods, despite of its currently limited distribution and population size on Hainan Island. Anthropogenic influences must be considered in conservation planning due to their impacts on currently fragmented habitats and populations. phylogeography, Quaternary, Hainan Island, Polyplectron katsumatae, conservation Citation:Chang J, Chen D, Liang W, et al. Molecular demographic history of the Hainan Peacock Pheasant (Polyplectron katsumatae) and its conservation implications.

Molecular Phylogeny of Pheretimoid Earthworms (Haplotaxina: Megascolecidae) Based on Mitochondrial DNA in Hainan Island, China

“…Furthermore, the westnorth-west trending structural patterns (such as Wangwu-Wenjiao fault, Changjiang-Qionghai fault, Jianfeng-Diaoluo fault, and Jiusuo-Lingshui fault) in Hainan Island are tectonically temporally compatible with and spatially linked to those in Indochina and South China Blocks, respectively [8]. In general, the species diffusion and the population differentiation are strongly affected by the geographical events, which also directly lead to the fauna's migration among different regions [12,52]. Our previous investigation demonstrated that the 81% of the exotic earthworms in Hainan were also found in Vietnam, 75% in Laos, 56% in Cambodia, 50% in Malasiyia, and 31% in China mainland and Taiwan Island [13,53].…”

Alleviation of Hepatotoxicity of Arecoline (Areca Alkaloid) by a Synthetic Receptor

“…Arecoline has been well studied for its beneficial role in the treatment of neurological disorders, such as the reversal of memory loss and learning impairment in male Alzheimer's dementia (AD) rats induced by scopolamine, and alleviating symptoms associated with schizophrenia . Additionally, arecoline also shows potential benefits with regard to the cardiovascular system: enhancing Ach‐induced vaso‐relaxation, inducing an anti‐thrombotic effect, and suppressing the release of inflammatory cytokines . Moreover, a number of researches have been carried out concerning arecoline and its benefits in alleviating the symptoms of diseases related to the endocrine and digestive system .…”

Phylogeography of Haplocarpha rueppelii (Asteraceae) suggests a potential geographic barrier for plant dispersal and gene flow in East Africa

“…For example, divergent population history of Prunus africana was most likely associated to Pleistocene changes in climatic conditions [12]. However, in comparison with the large amount of studies in Northern Hemisphere [13], exploring phylogeography of East Africa was hampered by sampling difficulties [14]. So far, only four studies have investigated the phylogeography of Afro-alpine plants [5][6][7]14].…”