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Evolutionary history and identification of conservation units in the giant otter, Pteronura brasiliensis

Pickles, R.S.A., Groombridge, Jim J., Zambrana Rojas, V.D., Van Damme, P., Gottelli, D., Kundu, S., Bodmer, R., Ariani, C.V., Iyengar, A., Jordan, W.C. and others. (2011) Evolutionary history and identification of conservation units in the giant otter, Pteronura brasiliensis. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 61 (3). pp. 616-627. ISSN 1055-7903. (doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2011.08.017) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:48329)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2011.08.017

Abstract

The giant otter, Pteronura brasiliensis, occupies a range including the major drainage basins of South America, yet the degree of structure that exists within and among populations inhabiting these drainages is unknown. We sequenced portions of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome b (612 bp) and control region (383 bp) genes in order to determine patterns of genetic variation within the species. We found high levels of mtDNA haplotype diversity (h = 0.93 overall) and support for subdivision into four distinct groups of populations, representing important centers of genetic diversity and useful units for prioritizing conservation within the giant otter. We tested these results against the predictions of three hypotheses of Amazonian diversification (Pleistocene Refugia, Paleogeography, and Hydrogeology). While the phylogeographic pattern conformed to the predictions of the Refugia Hypothesis, molecular dating using a relaxed clock revealed the phylogroups diverged from one another between 1.69 and 0.84 Ma, ruling out the influence of Late Pleistocene glacial refugia. However, the role of Plio-Pleistocene climate change could not be rejected. While the molecular dating also makes the influence of geological arches according to the Paleogeography Hypothesis extremely unlikely, the recent Pliocene formation of the Fitzcarrald Arch and its effect of subsequently altering drainage pattern could not be rejected. The data presented here support the interactions of both climatic and hydrological changes resulting from geological activity in the Plio-Pleistocene, in shaping the phylogeographic structure of the giant otter.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.ympev.2011.08.017
Uncontrolled keywords: Pteronura; Phylogeography; Mitochondrial DNA; Amazonia; Refugia; Paleodrainage; Conservation units
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH426 Genetics
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH541 Ecology
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH75 Conservation (Biology)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Depositing User: Jim Groombridge
Date Deposited: 08 May 2015 14:42 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:19 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/48329 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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