Diversity and endemism of Murinae rodents in Thai limestone karsts

• Published in: Systematics and Biodiversity
• Main Authors: Latinne, Alice, Waengsothorn, Surachit, Rojanadilok, Prateep, Eiamampai, Krairat, Sribuarod, Kriangsak, Michaux, Johan
• Other Authors: Université de Liège, Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, Doi Chiangdao Wildlife Res Stn, Partenaires INRAE, Bung Boraphet Wildlife Research Station, Khlong Saeng Wildlife Research Station, Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations (UMR CBGP), Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (Cirad)-Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-Centre international d'études supérieures en sciences agronomiques (Montpellier SupAgro)-Université de Montpellier (UM)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD France-Sud )-Institut national d’études supérieures agronomiques de Montpellier (Montpellier SupAgro), Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro)-Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement (Institut Agro), Belgian FRS-FNRS (Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique); Belgian FRS-FNRS ('credits pour brefs sejours a l'etranger' ); Belgian FRS-FNRS ('credits pour brefs sejours a l'etranger'); network "Bibliotheque du Vivant'; CNRS; Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle; INRA; CEA (Centre National de Sequencage); 'CERoPath project' (Community Ecology of Rodents and their Pathogens in South-East Asia: effects of biodiversity changes and implications in health ecology), ANR Biodiversity ANR 07 BDIV 01, French National Agency for Research
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2013
• Subjects: GMYC lineages; limestone karsts; Murinae rodents; Southeast Asia; species delimitation; Thailand; GENETIC SPECIES CONCEPT; RATTUS-RATTUS; SOFTWARE; BIODIVERSITY; CONSERVATION; DELIMITATION; Rattini; DNA; MAMMALS; DISTRIBUTIONS; TRANSITION; [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]; Rattus rattus
• Online Access: https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-02652511; https://doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2013.818587

International audience This study aims to investigate the species diversity of rodents living in karst ecosystems of Thailand. A survey has been conducted throughout Thailand, 122 karsts sampled and 477 Murinae rodents live-trapped. Phylogenetic reconstructions were carried out using two mitochondrial markers (cytb, COI). A sequence-based species delimitation method completed by the analysis of the level of genetic divergence was then applied to define species boundaries within our dataset. The phylogenetic position of Niviventer hinpoon was also investigated and sequences obtained from the holotype specimen of this species were used to reliably identify samples of N. hinpoon. A total of 12 described Murinae species, corresponding to 17 deeply divergent genetic lineages, were encountered in limestone karsts of Thailand. Our study revealed an important genetic diversity within the traditionally recognized species Maxomys surifer (four highly divergent genetic lineages), Leopoldamys neilli (two highly divergent genetic lineages) and Berylmys bowersi (two highly divergent genetic lineages). These species could be considered as species complex and require further taxonomic work. This study also provides valuable information on the distribution of the two rodent species endemic to limestone karsts of Thailand, L. neilli and N. hinpoon. Leopoldamys neilli was the most abundant species encountered in Thai karsts during our survey. However, L. neilli specimens from western Thailand are genetically highly divergent from the remaining populations of L. neilli and could represent a separate species. Niviventer hinpoon, phylogenetically closely related to N. fulvescens, is much rarer and its distribution limited to central Thailand. Most of the other captured species are typically associated with forest ecosystems. This study suggests that limestone karsts play a key role in the preservation of the rodent species endemic to such habitat, but they would also provide refuges for the forest-dwelling Murinae rodents in ...