Phylogeography of a Morphologically Cryptic Golden Mole Assemblage from South-Eastern Africa

摘要: The Greater Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany (GMPA) region of southern Africa was recently designated as a centre vertebrate endemism. phylogeography the taxa occupying this may provide insights into evolution faunal endemism in south-eastern Africa. Here we investigate phylogeographic patterns an understudied small mammal species assemblage (Amblysomus) endemic to GMPA, test for cryptic diversity within genus, and better understand diversification across region. We sampled specimens from 50 sites distributional range Amblysomus, with emphasis on widespread A. hottentotus, analyse geographic genetic using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) nuclear intron data. Molecular dating used elucidate evolutionary history Amblysomus. Our phylogenetic reconstructions show that hottentotus comprises several distinct lineages, or evolutionarily significant units (ESUs), some restricted ranges thus worthy conservation attention. Divergence major lineages dated early Pliocene, later radiations GMPA during late-Pliocene early-Pleistocene. Evolutionary Amblysomus have been driven by uplift Great Escarpment c. 5–3 million years ago (Ma), habitat changes associated intensification east-west rainfall gradient South influence subsequent global climatic cycles. These drivers possibly facilitated spread ancestral local adaptation vicariant isolation. study adds growing empirical evidence identifying East cradles diversity.