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Dynamics of genetic and morphological diversification in an incipient intra‐island radiation of Philippine rodents (Muridae: Bullimus )
Author(s) -
Kyriazis Christopher C.,
Bates John M.,
Heaney Lawrence R.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of biogeography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 158
eISSN - 1365-2699
pISSN - 0305-0270
DOI - 10.1111/jbi.13063
Subject(s) - coalescent theory , archipelago , phylogeography , biology , population , ecology , phylogenetic tree , zoology , demography , genetics , sociology , gene
Abstract Aim To investigate patterns of genetic and morphological differentiation in a ‘New Endemic’ Philippine rodent ( Bullimus ) and examine the dynamics on intra‐island speciation on oceanic islands. Location The Philippine archipelago, focusing on Luzon Island. Methods We examined patterns of genetic differentiation by sequencing one mitochondrial and three nuclear loci for an archipelago‐wide sampling of Bullimus , which we analysed using phylogenetic, population genetic, and coalescent‐based methods. We also measured 16 craniodental features for Bullimus luzonicus to examine morphological differentiation on Luzon. Results Time‐calibrated species tree analysis indicated that Bullimus colonized the southern Philippines during the late Pliocene or Pleistocene and diversified on Luzon during the last c . 540 kyr. We found substantial phylogeographical structure in B. luzonicus , most completely developed in the southern part of the island, where colonization initially occurred. Coalescent species delimitation analysis indicated strong support for genetic isolation among eight B. luzonicus populations, however, morphometric analyses suggested that only two or three of these populations were morphologically distinctive. Main conclusions Phylogeographical structure in B. luzonicus largely corresponded to Luzon's numerous isolated mountain ranges, which likely played a major role in driving diversification in central/northern Luzon over the last c . 230 kyr. The majority of B. luzonicus populations appear to be in the process of speciation, with only the furthest south population from Camarines Sur warranting elevation to species status. We found little evidence for diversification in B. bagobus on Mindanao, suggesting that Luzon may be an exceptional setting for murid rodent diversification.