@article {129167, title = {Gene flow drives genomic diversity in Asian Pikas distributed along the core and range-edge habitats in the Himalayas.}, journal = {Ecol Evol}, volume = {13}, year = {2023}, month = {2023 May}, pages = {e10129}, abstract = {

Studying the genetic variation among different species distributed across their core and range-edge habitats can provide valuable insights into how genetic variation changes across the species{\textquoteright} distribution range. This information can be important for understanding local adaptation, as well as for conservation and management efforts. In this study, we have carried out genomic characterization of six species of Asian Pikas distributed along their core and range-edge habitats in the Himalayas. We utilized a population genomics approach using ~28,000 genome-wide SNP markers obtained from restriction-site associated DNA sequencing. We identified low nucleotide diversity and high inbreeding coefficients in all six species across their core and range-edge habitats. We also identified evidence of gene flow among genetically diverse species. Our results provide evidence of reduced genetic diversity in Asian pikas distributed across the Himalayas and the neighboring regions and indicate that recurrent gene flow is possibly a key mechanism for maintaining genetic diversity and adaptive potential in these pikas. However, full-scale genomics studies that utilize whole-genome sequencing approaches will be needed to quantify the direction and timing of gene flow and functional changes associated with introgressed regions in the genome. Our results represent an important step toward understanding the patterns and consequences of gene flow in species, sampled at the least studied, yet climatically vulnerable part of their habitat that can be further used to inform conservation strategies that promote connectivity and gene flow between populations.

}, issn = {2045-7758}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.10129}, author = {Dahal, Nishma and Romine, Melia G and Khatiwara, Sunita and Ramakrishnan, Uma and Lamichhaney, Sangeet} } @article {72071, title = {The role of geography, environment, and genetic divergence on the distribution of pikas in the Himalaya}, journal = {ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION}, year = {2020}, month = {01/2020}, abstract = {

Pikas (Ochotona Link, 1795) are high-altitude specialist species making them a useful bioindicator species to warming in high-altitude ecosystem. The Himalayan Mountains are an important part of their range, supporting approximately 23\%{\textendash}25\% of total pika species worldwide, yet we lack basic information on the distribution patterns. We combine field-based surveys with genetics-based identification and phylogeny to identify differences in species-environment relationships. Further, we suggest putative evolutionary causes for the observed niche patterns.

}, doi = {10.1002/ece3.6007}, author = {Dahal, Nishma and Kumar, Sunil and Noon, Barry R and Nayak, Rajat and Lama, Rinzin Phunjok and Ramakrishnan, Uma} } @article {8059, title = {Genetics, morphology and ecology reveal a cryptic pika lineage in the Sikkim Himalaya.}, journal = {Mol Phylogenet Evol}, volume = {106}, year = {2017}, month = {09/2016}, pages = {55-60}, abstract = {

Asian pika species are morphologically \~{}similar and have overlapping ranges. This leads to uncertainty and species misidentification in the field. Phylogenetic analyses of such misidentified samples leads to taxonomic ambiguity. The ecology of many pika species remains understudied, particularly in the Himalaya, where sympatric species could be separated by elevation and/or substrate. We sampled, measured, and acquired genetic data from pikas in the Sikkim Himalaya. Our analyses revealed a cryptic lineage, Ochotona sikimaria, previously reported as a subspecies of O. thibetana. The results support the elevation of this lineage to the species level, as it is genetically divergent from O. thibetana, as well as sister species, O. cansus (endemic to central China) and O. curzoniae (endemic to the Tibetan plateau). The Sikkim lineage diverged from its sister species{\textquoteright} about 1.7-0.8 myr ago, coincident with uplift events in the Himalaya. Our results add to the recent spate of cryptic diversity identified from the eastern Himalaya and highlight the need for further study within the Ochotonidae.

}, issn = {1095-9513}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2016.09.015}, author = {Dahal, Nishma and Lissovsky, Andrey A and Lin, Zhenzhen and Solari, Katherine and Hadly, Elizabeth A and Zhan, Xiangjiang and Ramakrishnan, Uma} } @article {26654, title = {A new subspecies of large-eared pika, Ochotona macrotis (Lagomorpha: Ochotonidae), from the Eastern Himalaya}, journal = {Russian J. Theriol}, volume = {16}, year = {2017}, month = {2017}, pages = {30{\textendash}42}, abstract = {

We examined 212 complete sequences of the cytochrome b gene for all pika species
(Lagomorpha: Ochotona) as well as 250 skulls of pikas from the eastern Himalayan region. The results of
our analyses suggest that a new and distinct subspecies of large-eared pika {\textemdash} Ochotona macrotis gomchee
ssp.n. occurs in Bhutan. Our phylogenetic analyses indicate that this subspecies holds a sister-taxon
relationship to other O. macrotis. The cranial shape of O. m. gomchee ssp.n. is similar to that of remaining
O. macrotis; pelage colouration and ear length differentiate O. m. gomchee ssp.n. from all other representatives
of O. macrotis. We hypothesize that pikas from the Great Bend of the Tsangpo River, which were
previously assigned to O. forresti, in fact belong to O. macrotis; the correct name for that particular
subspecies is therefore amended to O. m. duoxionglaensis. The distributional ranges of O. m. gomchee
ssp.n. and O. m. duoxionglaensis are hypothesized to be separated by a broad matrix of unsuitable habitats.
How to cite this article: Lissovsky A.A., McDonough M., Dahal N., Jin Wei, Liu Shaoying, Ruedas L.A.
2017. A new subspecies of large-eared pika, Ochotona macrotis (Lagomorpha: Ochotonidae), from the
Eastern Himalaya // Russian J. Theriol. Vol.16. No.1. P.30{\textendash}42. doi: 10.15298/rusjtheriol.16.1.03

}, doi = {10.15298/rusjtheriol.16.1.03}, author = {Lissovsky, Andrey A and McDonough, M and Dahal, Nishma and Jin, W and Liu, S and Ruedas, LA} }