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是全球公认的物种多样性的栖息地。四川盆地通常被称为大陆岛，几乎完全被山脉包围。这些特征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作为生物多样性的影响因素已经被认识和研究，但四川盆地对该地区物种分布的影响却很少受到关注。白眉笑鸫（Garrulax sannio）在南亚大部分地区数量丰富且分布广泛，使其成为开展该项目的合适模式生物。这项研究将与温龙银博士和乐山师范大学合作进行，将使用对整个G. sannio范围内不同种群的DNA样本进行分析，以评估种群之间的亲缘关系。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，因为在一个面临与气候变化有关的挑战的世界里，有必要了解景观特征如何影响物种。响应。这个项目的结果将允许研究人员预测物种？应对未来的气候波动，指导研究人员和管理人员采取更有效和更有影响力的管理做法，并最终帮助保护物种多样性。地理的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。四川盆地是一个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。这种地球物理的复杂性创造了一种独特的景观特征，可能促进了四川盆地及其周边地区目前的生物多样性格局。虽然邻近地区的地形已被认为是影响生物多样性的因素，但四川盆地对当地生物地理格局的影响却很少受到关注。白眉眉鸫（Garrulax sannio）在南亚大部分地区数量丰富且分布广泛，是展示四川盆地影响该地区生物地理格局的合适模式生物。利用线粒体和核DNA的系统发育分析，研究四川盆地及周边地区山核桃居群的遗传结构和历史隔离期。将建立当代和古分布模型，以估计范围扩大和缩小的时期，并展示人口之间历史上孤立的时期。这项研究是与温龙银博士和乐山师范大学合作进行的，将为科学界提供更好地了解塑造当代生物地理格局的因素，同时允许对物种进行预测。应对未来气候波动，为我们提供维持世界生物多样性的工具？美国生物最丰富的地区。该奖项隶属于东亚和太平洋暑期研究所项目，由美国国家科学基金会和中国科技部共同资助，支持美国研究生的暑期研究。

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.