Phylogeography of lions ( Panthera leo ssp.) reveals three distinct taxa and a late Pleistocene reduction in genetic diversity

摘要: Lions were the most widespread carnivores in late Pleistocene, ranging from southern Africa to USA, but little is known about evolutionary relationships among these Pleistocene populations or dynamics that led their extinction. Using ancient DNA techniques, we obtained mitochondrial sequences 52 individuals sampled across present and former range of lions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed three distinct clusters: (i) modern lions, Panthera leo; (ii) extinct cave which formed a homogeneous population extending Europe Beringia (Siberia, Alaska western Canada); (iii) American separate south ice sheets. The lion appears have become genetically isolated around 340 000 years ago, despite apparent lack significant barriers gene flow with Beringian through much Pleistocene. We found potential evidence severe bottleneck during previous interstadial, sometime after 48 years, adding bison, mammoths, horses brown bears megafaunal underwent major genetic alterations throughout last potentially presaging processes involved subsequent end-Pleistocene mass extinctions.