Genomic insights into zokors' phylogeny and speciation in China

Xi Liu, Shangzhe Zhang, Zhenyuan Cai, Zhuoran Kuang, Na Wan, Yinjia Wang, Leyan Mao, Xuan An, Fang Li, Tuo Feng, Xiaolong Liang, Zhenglei Qiao, Eviatar Nevo, Kexin Li

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The phylogeny and speciation of subterranean zokors in China are unclear, as previous studies on morphology and limited molecular markers have generated conflicting results. This study unraveled the complex evolutionary history of eight zokor species in China based on de novo assembly at chromosome level and whole-genome sequencing of 23 populations. We found extensive phylogenetic discordances between nuclear and mitochondrial phylogenies, and different coalescent phylogenies, which could be explained by introgression and incomplete lineage sorting (ILS). The recent Qinghai-Tibet Plateau uplift (∼3.60 million y ago; Mya) drove Eospalax to speciate into clade A and clade B (∼3.22 Mya), and discordant phylogenies in this node were mainly attributed to introgression rather than ILS. Clade A rapidly diverged into three lineages due to geographical isolation and glaciation, while glaciation and C4 plant expansion contributed to the speciation of clade B. ILS contributed to the discordances of two rapidly radiated nodes rather than introgression. The effective population sizes (Ne’s) of all the species of Eospalax were affected by three glaciations. Ancient polymorphisms and divergence hitchhiking contribute to genomic islands of all the species pairs. Positively selected genes putatively related to specific inhabitation adaptations were identified, such as heart development, neurogenesis, DNA repair, and immune response. Climate, geological tectonism, and C4 vegetation shaped the adaptation and speciation of zokors in China.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2121819119
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume119
Issue number19
DOIs
StatePublished - 10 May 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • incomplete lineage sorting
  • introgression
  • Myospalacinae
  • population genomics
  • speciation
  • Animals
  • China
  • Genomics
  • Rodentia/genetics
  • Phylogeny
  • Genome
  • Tibet

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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