The Complete Phylogeny of Pangolins: Scaling Up Resources for the Molecular Tracing of the Most Trafficked Mammals on Earth

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2018

Autores

Gaubert, P (Autor) Outra; Agostinho Antunes (Autor) FCUP; Meng, H (Autor) Outra; Miao, L (Autor) Outra; Peigne, S (Autor) Outra; Justy, F (Autor) Outra; Njiokou, F (Autor) Outra; Dufour, S (Autor) Outra; Danquah, E (Autor) Outra; Alahakoon, J (Autor) Outra; Verheyen, E (Autor) Outra; Stanley, WT (Autor) Outra; O'Brien, SJ (Autor) Outra; Johnson, WE (Autor) Outra; Luo, SJ (Autor) Outra

Revista

Título: Journal of Heredity

Vol. 109

Páginas: 347-359

ISSN: 0022-1503

Editora: Oxford University Press

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 53 Citações

Scopus - 59 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-00R-3ZK

DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esx097

Abstract (EN): Pangolins, considered the most-trafficked mammals on Earth, are rapidly heading to extinction. Eight extant species of these African and Asian scale-bodied anteaters are commonly recognized, but their evolutionary relationships remain largely unexplored. Here, we present the most comprehensive phylogenetic assessment of pangolins, based on genetic variation of complete mitogenomes and 9 nuclear genes. We confirm deep divergence among Asian and African pangolins occurring not later than the Oligocene-Miocene boundary ca. 23 million years ago (Ma) (95% HPD = 18.7-27.2), limited fossil evidence suggesting dispersals from Europe. We recognize 3 genera including Manis (Asian pangolins), Smutsia (large African pangolins), and Phataginus (small African pangolins), which first diversified in the Middle-Upper Miocene (9.8-13.3 Ma) through a period of gradual cooling coinciding with a worldwide taxonomic diversification among mammals. Based on large mitogenomic distances among the 3 genera (18.3-22.8%) and numerous (18) morphological traits unique to Phataginus, we propose the subfamily Phatagininae subfam. nov. to designate small African pangolins. In contrast with the morphological-based literature, our results establish that the thick-tailed pangolin (Mams crassicaudata) is sister-species of the Sunda (Manis javanica) and Palawan (Manis culionensis) pangolins. Mitogenomic phylogenetic delineations supported additional pangolin species subdivisions (n = 13), including 6 African common pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) lineages, but these patterns were not fully supported by our multi-locus approach. Finally, we identified more than 5000 informative mitogenomic sites and diagnostic variation from 5 nuclear genes among all species and lineages of pangolins, providing an important resource for further research and for effectively tracing the worldwide pangolin trade.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 13