title: Phylogenetic position of the white-cheeked macaque (Macaca leucogenys), a newly described primate from southeastern Tibet.
abstract: The white-cheeked macaque Macaca leucogenys is a recently described species that was only diagnosed based on photos, without any specimen measurements or molecular genetic diagnosis. Using DNA extracted from four newly collected skin specimens, we studied the genetic diversity and phylogenetic position of M. leucogenys using multilocus sequence data, including mitochondrial and Y chromosomal genes. Skin measurements of four individuals showed that the white-cheeked macaque is robust and larger than M. assamensis but is similar in body size to M. thibetana. Although the holotype male of M. leucogenys was observed to have a round glans penis in three photos and a 15-s video, the current phylogenetic analysis placed this species in the sinica group, which has a sagittate glans penis. Our results confirm full species status of M. leucogenys and indicate that this species might have diverged from its closest relatives c. 2.5million years ago. The mitochondrial gene tree showed that M. leucogenys is phylogenetically close to M. munzala and M. radiata within the sinica group; however, their relationships were unresolved by Y chromosomal phylogenies, which indicates possible historical episode of male introgression. Further studies using an integrative approach that combines morphological and ecological characterizations and population-based genome-wide analysis are needed to investigate divergence and reproductive isolation, which are very likely to elucidate mechanisms underlying these Asian macaque radiations.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, College of Ecology and Evolution/School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China; Institute of Eastern-Himalaya Biodiversity Research, Dali University, Dali 671003, PR China. Electronic address: fanpf1981@gmail.com.
authors: Pengfei
authors: P
authors: Fan
authors: State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, College of Ecology and Evolution/School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China.
authors: Yang
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, College of Ecology and Evolution/School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China.
authors: Zhechun
authors: Z
authors: Zhang
authors: Cloud Mountain Conservation, Dali 671003, PR China.
authors: Chao
authors: C
authors: Zhao
authors: Imaging Biodiversity Expedition, Beijing 100107, PR China.
authors: Cheng
authors: C
authors: Li
authors: Forestry Survey, and Planning Institute of Tibet, Lhasa 850000, PR China.
authors: Wulin
authors: W
authors: Liu
authors: Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China.
authors: Zhijin
authors: Z
authors: Liu
authors: Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China. Electronic address: lim@ioz.ac.cn.
authors: Ming
authors: M
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D045303:Cytochromes b / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006197:Hair / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D006239:Haplotypes; D008251:Macaca / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D018609:Tibet; D014998:Y Chromosome
chemical_list: D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D004247:DNA; D045303:Cytochromes b
keywords: Macaque; Mitochondrial DNA; New species; Tibet; Y chromosome