Mitochondrial DNA genetic variation and phylogeography of the recently described vole species Proedromys liangshanensis Liu, Sun, Zeng and Zhao, 2007 (Rodentia: Arvicolinae)

A vole species, Proedromys liangshanensis Liu, Sun, Zeng and Zhao, 2007 (Rodentia: Arvicolinae), which is endemic to the Liangshan Mountains, Sichuan, China, was reported in 2007. The species is restricted to a narrow range because of its weak dispersal ability and habitat specificity, and only lives in fir and spruce forests with abundant grass. In this study, the genetic diversity and phylogeographical structure of 42 P. liangshanensis were examined based on analysis of a partial mitochondrial DNA control region. The results revealed low genetic diversity in the P. liangshanensis populations. Twelve nucleotide haplotypes were defined in the 42 collected individuals, and were divided into two major phylogenetic clades, which were obviously related to geographic pattern. Estimates of gene flow (Nm = 0.09) also revealed a genetic divergence between the Jinyang and Meigu populations. Species-specific traits, habitat specificity and geographic events contributed to the genetic divergence of the new vole.