Genetic Diversity of Eastern Batrachuperus (Caudata: Hynobiidae)
Using mitochondrial cytochrome b and 16s gene sequences, we examined the genetic diversity of eastern Batrachuperus distributed in China along the eastern slopes of the Tibet Plateau. The group showed a moderate pairwise divergence compared to other salamander groups. The highest cytochrome b divergence is 10.07%. A phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial haplotypes revealed several evolutionarily independent lineages, including the Hongya and Pengxian populations of Batrachuperus tibetanus that probably represent undescribed species. The genetic divergence of Batrachuperus is clearly much higher than currently perceived. The distribution patterns of the mitochondrial haplotypes of the northwestern populations indicated that the dispersal or divergence of Batrachuperus might not be confined to river valleys, although all species in the genus are fully aquatic.Abstract
The distribution and localities of samples examined in this study. (1) Yanyuan, (2) Longdong, (5) Xinduqiao, (6) Baoxing, (3) Hongya, (4) Zhedoushan, (7) Pengxian, (8) Lixian, (9) Pingwu, (10) Wenxian, (11) Nanping, (12) Zhouqu, (13) Zhouzhi
A phylogram of the MtDNA haplotypes of the genus Batrachuperus. The branch length corresponds to the numbers of unambiguous changes. Numbers above the internal nodes are bootstrap proportions greater than 50%, and numbers in parentheses in front of population names are location numbers in Figure 1. All ingroup taxon names are locations. Solid boxes indicate the presence of the black horny covers on palms and tarsa. Open boxes indicate the absence of the horny covers. P. flavomaculatus = Pseudohynobius flavomaculatus