Molecular phylogenetic study of Felidae species in China

本项目的目的是调查新疆中国地区猫科动物种类及其猎物的现状，并探讨猫科动物之间的分子系统学关系。在这次项目中，我们进行了三次考察，可以参观新疆的大部分地区，包括塔里木盆地、准噶尔盆地和天山山脉。在塔里木盆地，我们调查了草原野猫的栖息地环境，并对其现状进行了讨论。尤其是在塔里木盆地南部和北部，伊尔坎野兔的种群数量较高，表明这些地区适合野猫捕食野兔的栖息地。在准噶尔盆地，我们在田间发现了帕拉斯猫的粪便和脚印。在野猫的栖息地，我们调查了小型哺乳动物是它们的猎物。结果，我们捕获了几种啮齿动物，包括大沙鼠和一些适应干旱地区的跳鼠。此外，我们还调查了天山海拔2000米以上的山猫和雪豹的栖息地以及自然环境。在那里，我们还研究了小型哺乳动物的动物群，发现了与盆地的不同之处。来自中国的两名研究人员参观了北海道大学，然后研究了DNA分析的方法学。日本研究人员建立了线粒体DNA的聚合酶链式反应技术，并对亚洲猫科动物进行了分子系统发育分析。同时，对新疆生态系统中与猫科竞争的蜂科动物的遗传特征进行了调查。这些发现为中亚哺乳动物进化的更先进的遗传学研究提供了宝贵的信息。在这个项目中获得的经验对推动未来的海外项目非常有帮助。

The objective of this project was to survey the status of Felidae species and small mammals as their preys living in Xinjiang of China and to investigate molecular phylogentic relationships among Felidae. During this project, we made expeditions for surveys three times, and we could visit most of areas in Xinjiang including Tarim Basin, Jungar Basin, and Tianshan Mountains. In Tarim Basin, we surveyed environments of habitats of the steppe wildcat and discussed their present status. Especially in southern and northern parts of Tarim Basin, population sizes of the yarkand hare were much higher, indicating that these areas are suitable for habitats of wildcats which prey on hares. In Jungar Basin, we found feces and footprints of the Pallas' cat in the field. In habitats of wildcats, we made surveys of small mammals to be their preys. As a results, we trapped sveral species of rodents including the great gerbil and some jerboas which have adapted themselves to arid regions. In addition, we surveyed habitats of the lynx and snow leopard as well as natural environments in Tianshan Mountains which are more than 2,000 m above sea level. There, we also examined the fauna of small mammals, and found the difference from that of the basins. From China, two researchers visited Hokkaido University and then studied the methodology of DNA analysis. Japanese researchers established PCR techniques of mitochondrial DNA and proceeded with molecular phylogenetic analysis of Felidae species of Asia. Genetic characteristics of Mustelidae which are competitors against Felidae in ecosystem of Xinjiang were also investigated. These findings provide invaluable information for more advancing genetic study of mammalian evolution in Middle Asia. Experiences obtained during this project are very helpful for promoting future overseas projects.