Evolutionary History of Lagomorphs in Response to Global Environmental Change

摘要: Although species within Lagomorpha are derived from a common ancestor, the distribution range and body size of its two extant groups, ochotonids leporids, quite differentiated. It is unclear what has driven their disparate evolutionary history. In this study, we compile update all fossil records for first time, to trace processes infer history using mitochondrial genes, length species. We also compare forage selection species, which offers an insight into future prospects. The earliest lagomorphs originated in Asia later diversified different continents. Within ochotonids, more than 20 genera occupied period early Miocene middle Miocene, whereas most them became extinct during transition Pliocene. peak diversity leporids occurred Pliocene transition, while dramatically decreased late Quaternary. Mantel tests identified positive correlation between phylogenetic distance lagomorphs. shows normal distribution, displays non-normal pattern. find that pikas features strong preference C3 plants, diet 16% plant as C4 (31% Poaceae). ability several leporid consume plants likely result increase expansion, notably Lepus. Expansion so-called ‘nature’s green revolution’, induced by global environmental change, suggested be one major ‘ecological opportunities’, probably drove large-scale extinction contraction but inversely promoted diversification expansion leporids.