EAPSI: Evolutionary Biogeography of the White-browed Laughingthrush in and around China?s Sichuan Basin

人们普遍认为，地理特征，如山脉，影响了物种的现代分布。中国南部的四川盆地被全球公认为拥有多种多样的物种。通常被称为大陆岛屿，四川盆地几乎完全被山脉包围。这些特征很可能是造成四川盆地及其周边地区目前生物多样性格局的部分原因。虽然邻近地区的景观特征已被确认和研究的因素塑造生物多样性，四川盆地很少受到关注，其在影响该地区的物种分布的作用。白眉噪鹛（Garrulax sannio）数量丰富，广泛分布于南亚大部分地区，使该物种成为进行该项目的适当模式生物。这项研究将与乐山师范大学和文龙银博士合作进行，将使用来自G. sannio评估人口之间的相关性。此外，将生成环境生态位模型，以显示该物种的现代分布和历史分布。这项研究很重要，因为在一个面临气候变化挑战的世界里，有必要了解景观特征如何影响物种？反应该项目的结果将使研究人员能够预测物种？地理复杂性通过在历史气候波动期间周期性地隔离种群，影响了不同谱系的进化。四川盆地是全球公认的生物多样性生态区，其特征是被山地地形隔离的大陆岛屿。这种地质物理的复杂性创造了一个独特的景观特征，可能促进了四川盆地及其周边地区目前的生物多样性模式。虽然邻近地区的地形已被认为是形成生物多样性的因素，但四川盆地在影响当地地理格局方面的作用却很少受到关注。白眉噪鹛（Garrulax sannio）在南亚的大部分地区都很丰富且分布广泛，这使得该物种成为一个合适的模式生物，以证明四川盆地在影响该地区的地理格局中的作用。线粒体和核DNA的系统发育分析将用于研究遗传结构和估计G.四川盆地及其周边地区的桑尼奥。现代和古分布模型将产生估计时期的范围扩大和收缩，并显示人口之间的历史隔离的时期。这项研究是与龙音文博士和乐山师范大学合作，并将提供科学界更好地了解塑造当代地理模式的因素，同时允许对物种的预测？应对未来的气候波动，为我们提供工具，以保持生物多样性在世界之一？是生物最丰富的地区。该奖项属于东亚和太平洋夏季研究所计划，支持美国研究生的夏季研究，由NSF和中国科技部共同资助。

It is widely accepted that geographic characteristics, such as mountain ranges, have influenced the modern distribution of species. The Sichuan Basin in southern China is recognized globally as housing a diverse array of species. Often referred to as a continental island, the Sichuan Basin is nearly completely encircled by mountain ranges. Such characteristics are likely responsible, in part, for present patterns of biodiversity in and around the Sichuan Basin. While the landscape characteristics of neighboring regions have been recognized and studied as factors shaping biodiversity, the Sichuan Basin has received little attention regarding its role in influencing the distribution of species in this region. The White-browed Laughingthrush (Garrulax sannio) is both abundant and widely distributed throughout much of southern Asia, making this species an appropriate model organism with which to conduct this project. This research, which will be conducted in collaboration with Dr. Longyin Wen and LeShan Normal University, will use the analysis of DNA samples from various populations throughout the range of G. sannio to assess the relatedness among populations. In addition, environmental niche models will be generated to show both the modern day distribution, as well as historic distribution of this species. This research is important because, in a world facing challenges related to climate change, it is necessary to understand how landscape features may influence species? response. The results of this project will allow researchers to anticipate species? response to future climate fluctuations and guide researchers and managers through more efficient and influential management practices and ultimately help conserve species diversity.Geographic complexities have influenced the evolution of distinct lineages by periodically isolating populations during historical climatic fluctuations. The Sichuan Basin is a globally recognized biodiverse eco-region characterized as a continental island isolated by mountainous topography. Such geo-physical complexity creates a unique landscape feature that has likely facilitated the present patterns of biodiversity in and around the Sichuan Basin. While the topography of neighboring regions has been recognized as factors shaping biodiversity, the Sichuan Basin has received little attention regarding its role in influencing local biogeographic patterns. The White-browed Laughingthrush (Garrulax sannio) is both abundant and widely distributed throughout much of southern Asia, making this species an appropriate model organism to demonstrate the role of the Sichuan Basin in influencing biogeographic patterns in this region. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA will be used investigate the genetic structure and estimate periods of historical isolation among populations of G. sannio in and around the Sichuan Basin. Contemporary and paleo-distribution models will be generated to estimate periods of range expansion and contraction and demonstrate periods of historical isolation among populations. This research is in collaboration with Dr. Longyin Wen and LeShan Normal University, and will provide the scientific community with a better understanding of the factors shaping contemporary biogeographic patterns while allowing for predictions toward species? response to future climate fluctuations providing us with the tools to maintain biodiversity in one of the world?s most biologically rich regions. This award under the East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes program supports summer research by a U.S. graduate student and is jointly funded by NSF and the Ministry of Science and Technology of China.