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

人们普遍认为山脉等地理特征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物种。四川盆地通常被称为大陆岛屿，几乎完全被山脉包围。这些特征可能在一定程度上造成了四川盆地及其周边地区目前的生物多样性模式。虽然邻近地区的景观特征已被认为是影响生物多样性的因素并进行了研究，但四川盆地对其影响该地区物种分布的作用却很少受到关注。白眉笑鸫 (Garrulax sannio) 数量丰富且广泛分布于南亚大部分地区，使该物种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，将使用来自整个 G. sannio 范围内不同种群的 DNA 样本分析来评估种群之间的相关性。此外，还将生成环境生态位模型来显示该物种的现代分布以及历史分布。这项研究很重要，因为在面临气候变化相关挑战的世界中，有必要了解景观特征如何影响物种？回复。该项目的结果将使研究人员能够预测物种？应对未来的气候波动，并通过更有效和有影响力的管理实践指导研究人员和管理人员，最终帮助保护物种多样性。地理复杂性通过在历史气候波动期间定期隔离种群，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，其特点是被山地地形隔绝的大陆岛屿。这种地球物理的复杂性创造了独特的景观特征，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影响生物多样性的因素，但四川盆地在影响当地生物地理格局方面的作用却很少受到关注。白眉笑鸫 (Garrulax sannio) 数量丰富且广泛分布于南亚大部分地区，使该物种成为展示四川盆地对该地区生物地理格局影响的适当模式生物。线粒体和核 DNA 的系统发育分析将用于研究四川盆地及周边地区 G. sannio 种群的遗传结构并估计历史隔离时期。将生成当代和古分布模型来估计范围扩张和收缩的时期，并展示种群之间的历史隔离时期。这项研究是与温龙银博士和乐山师范大学合作进行的，将使科学界更好地了解影响当代生物地理模式的因素，同时允许对物种进行预测？应对未来气候波动为我们提供了维持世界上生物最丰富地区之一的生物多样性的工具。该奖项属于东亚及太平洋地区暑期学院项目，支持美国研究生的暑期研究，由美国国家科学基金会和中国科学技术部共同资助。

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.