Genetic and morphologic diversity of the moles (Talpomorpha, Talpidae, Mogera) from the continental Far East. (17th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zemlemerova, Elena; Abramov, Alexey; Kryukov, Alexey; Lebedev, Vladimir; Min, Mi‐Sook; Lee, Seo‐Jin; Bannikova, Anna
• Is Part Of: Journal of zoological systematics and evolutionary research. Volume 57:Number 3(2019)
• Page Start: 662
• Page End: 678
• Publication Date: 2019-02-17
• Subjects: continental Far East -- cranial variation -- molecular dating -- moles -- nuclear genes; Animals -- Classification -- Periodicals; Zoology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 578.012
• DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12272
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0947-5745

Abstract

Abstract: Taxonomy of the East Asian moles of the genus Mogera is still controversial. Based on the sequence data of 12 nuclear genes and one mitochondrial gene, we examine genetic variation in the Mogera wogura species complex and demonstrate that M. robusta, from the continental Far East, and M. wogura, from the Japanese Islands, are not conspecific. Our data do not support the existence of two or more species of Mogera in the Russian Far East. We suggest that the form " coreana " from the Korean Peninsula should be treated as a subspecies of M. robusta . Our morphological analysis shows that M. r. coreana differs from typical M. robusta, from Primorye, primarily in its smaller size. We show that there is strong morphological variability among continental moles, which may be associated with ecological and geographical factors. The time since the split between M. wogura s. str. and M. robusta dates back to the Middle Pleistocene (0.30–1.0 Myr), while M. r. coreana separated from M. r. robusta in the Upper Pleistocene (0.04–0.18 Myr). The results of the mismatch analysis indicate recent demographic expansion in populations of moles from Primorye. Abstract : We demonstrate that M. robusta, from the continental Far East, and M. wogura, from the Japanese Islands, are not conspecific. We suggest that the form " coreana " from the Korean Peninsula should be treated as a subspecies of M. robusta . The time since the split between M. wogura s. str. and M. robusta dates back to the Middle Pleistocene (0.30–1.0 Myr), while M. r. coreana separated from M. r. robusta in the Upper Pleistocene (0.04–0.18 Myr).