原羚属分布格局及其影响因子

The genus Procapra is endemic to the wild region of semi-arid steppes of Asia. There are three species in this animal genus: Przewalski's gazelle Procapra przewalskii, Tibetan gazelle P. picticaudata and Mongolian gazelle P. gutturosa. Historically, the three antelope species were widely distributed in the west of China. However, their distribution ranges and population sizes have declined since the 20th century. And nowadays, they are distributed in isolated landscape. The decline of the distribution ranges of the three species may be attributed to the mixed effects of many factors, among which, vicariance events, global changes and anthropogenic influence attract the attention of scientists. In this study, we will use the complete mitochondrial genome sequence and microsatellite loci as genetic markers. Molecular clock model will be employed to estimate the species divergence time in the Procapra. Variable sites of mitochondrial genome with positive selection will be detected and analyzed to examine the mechanism of how the animals adapt to the changing environment. Hybridization and introgression will be examined with the help of Bayesian model. We will explore the role of the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in the species evolution in Procapra and their biogeographic distribution pattern. Genetic structure of metapopulation will be studied and functional landscape connectivity will be also modeled on the basis of long-term systematic empirical and field work. We provide and test the anthropogenic hypothesis that the human activities may shape the biogeographic distribution ranges of the animals in the genus Procapra. Global changes, especially the climatic changes, have been believed to have significant effects on animal species' distribution ranges. Thus, we will use the Species Distribution Model (SDMs) to stimulate the distribution range dynamics in the context of global climatic changes in the future. In a general sense, we will explore the formation mechanisms of distribution ranges in the three antelope species of Procapra and examine the effects of vicariance events, global climatic changes and human activities. Based on these efforts, we discuss the Evolutionary Significant Units (ESUs) and Management Units (MUs), model the current habitat quality, identify the potential patches and project the distribution range dynamics of Procapra. This study will provide useful and important information for formulating efficient management and conservation plans for the three declining and threatened species of Procapra.

原羚属Procapra是亚洲草原区特有动物属，包括普氏原羚、藏原羚和蒙古瞪羚。历史上，这三个物种广泛分布于我国西北，但20世纪以来，三种原羚种群数量下降，分布区也急剧萎缩，并呈片段化分布。原羚属现在的分布格局可能是多种因素叠加的结果，我们将利用线粒体全基因组序列以及微卫星位点作为遗传标记，采用分子钟模型估算分歧时间，利用正选择检测分析适应机制，利用贝叶斯模型检测杂交和渐渗杂交，从系统地理学、比较基因组学、种群遗传学三个角度验证青藏高原隆起在原羚属演化和地理格局形成中的作用，研究种群遗传结构以及斑块种群的生境连接度，验证人类活动是原羚属物种地理格局形成因子的假说，利用物种分布模型模拟未来气候变化对原羚属分布的影响。从地史演化、气候变化与人类活动三个角度研究其分布格局形成机制，探讨其进化显著单元与管理单元，构建当前背景下的潜在分布区，并预测未来的分布区动态，为制定管理和保护措施提供依据。

原羚属（Procapra），包括普氏原羚、藏原羚和蒙古瞪羚三个种，是亚洲草原区特有动物属。20世纪以来，三种原羚种群数量下降，分布区也急剧萎缩，并呈片段化分布。原羚属现在的分布格局可能是多种因素叠加的结果。在国家自然科学基金的资助下, 我们验证了青藏高原隆起在原羚属演化和地理格局形成中的作用；研究了种群遗传结构以及斑块种群的生境连接度；验证人类活动是原羚属物种地理格局形成因子的假说；发现了普氏原羚与藏原羚的野外杂交个体，研究了出现种间杂交的原因; 利用物种分布模型模拟未来气候变化对原羚属分布的影响。从地史演化、气候变化与人类活动等三个角度研究其分布格局形成机制，探讨其进化显著单元与管理单元，构建当前背景下的潜在分布区，并预测未来的分布区动态。本研究首次在国内发现了大型哺乳动物的种间杂交，提出了濒危物种保护面临的新问题，为制定原羚属管理和保护措施提供了依据。