Molecular phylogeographic analyses and species delimitations reveal that Leopoldamys edwardsi(Rodentia:Muridae)is a species complex

Leopoldamys edwardsi is a species with wide distribution ranges in southern China but is not discussed in stud­ies on geographic variation and species differentiation.We used 2 mitochondrial(Cytb,CO1)and 3 nuclear(GHR,IRBP and RAG1)genes to clarify species phylogeography and geographical differentiation.Maximum likelihood(ML)and Bayesian phylogenetic inference(BI)trees consistently indicated that L.edwardsi is a spe­cies complex containing 3 main lineages with high Kimura-2-parameter(K2P)divergences(i.e.lineages LN,LS and LHN)found in the northern and southern China and Hainan Island,respectively.The 3 species delimitation methods,automated barcoding gap discovery,Bayesian poisson tree process analysis and Bayesian phylogenet­ics and phylogeography,consistently supported the existence of cryptic species.Divergence times among the main lineages were inferred to be during the Pleistocene,with LHN/LS split at 1.33 Ma and LN/(LHN+LS)at 2.61 Ma;the diversifications of L.edwardsi complex might be caused by the rapid uplifts of Tibetan Plateau,paleo­climate change and complex topography.The divergence between LHN and LS was probably related to the sepa­ration of Hainan Island from the mainland via the formation of the Qiongzhou Strait.Lineages LN and(LS+LHN)likely diverged due to the Wuyi-Nanling mountain range forming a dispersal barrier.Our results suggested that L.edwardsi complex contains at least 3 distinct species:LHN represents L.hainanensis,endemic to Hainan Island and previously considered as a subspecies L.e.hainanensis;LS represents a cryptic species distributed through­out the southern Chinese continent;and LN represents the nominotypical species L.edwardsi.

The effects of seed detectability and seed traits on hoarding preference of two rodent species

Seed traits play an important role in affecting seed preference and hoarding behaviors of small rodents.Despite greatly affected by seed traits,seed detectability of competitors represents pilfering risks and may also modify seed hoarding preference of animals.However,whether seed traits and seed detectability show consistent effects on seed hoarding preference of animals remain largely unknown.Here,we explored how seed traits and seed detectability correlate with seed hoarding preference of Leopoldamys edwardsi and Apodemus chevrieri in a subtropical forest.Despite the effects of seed coat thickness and caloric value on hoarding preference of L.edwardsi,we detected no significant effects of other seed traits on hording preference of the 2 rodent species.There was no correlation between larder-hoarding preference and inter-or intra-specific seed detectability of L.edwardsi;however,seed detectability of L.edwardsi was negatively correlated with its own scatter-hoarding preference.Although scatter-hoarding preference of A.chevrieri was not correlated with inter-and intra-specific seed detectability,larder-hoarding preference of A.chevrieri was positively correlated with intra-specific seed detectability.Our study may provide evidence that intra-specific seed detectability rather than seed traits and inter-specific pilfering risks play an important role in modifying seed hoarding preference of rodents.