[Mammalogy • 2022] Macaca selai • A Distinct Phylogenetic Species (Primates: Cercopithecidae) that evolved from the Arunachal Macaque following Allopatric Speciation

Macaca selai

 Ghosh, Thakur, Singh, Dutta, Sharma, Chandra & Banerjee, 2022

 

 Sela Macaque  ||  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107513

Highlights

• Arunachal macaque showed ample genetic polymorphism, and evolved into two phylogenetic species.

• Allopatric speciation driven by the sela mountain pass.

• A new species, Macaca selai described based on phylogenetic species concept.

• Novel findings imperative for conservation planning and management of Arunachal macaque.

Abstract

Arunachal macaque (M. munzala) is an endangered and recently discovered cercopithecine primate from Western Arunachal Pradesh, India. On genetic analyses of Arunachal macaques, we observed spatially distributed substantial inter-species genetic divergence among the samples collected from Arunachal Pradesh. The results suggested that Arunachal macaque evolved into two phylogenetic species about 1.96 mya following allopatric speciation by means of Sela mountain pass in Arunachal Pradesh, India. We describe - Sela macaque (Macaca selai) as a new macaque species that interestingly exhibited high intra-specific genetic variation and also harbors at least two conservation units. Further, we report the past demographic trajectories and quantify genetic variation required for taxonomic clarification. The present study also identifies gap areas for undertaking surveys to document the relic and unknown trans-boundary populations of macaques through multinational, multi-lateral cross border collaboration.

 

Keywords: Arunachal macaque, Sela macaque, Eastern Himalayas, Sela mountain pass, Allopatric speciation, Taxonomic revision

Order Primates Linnaeus, 1758

Superfamily Cercopithecoidea Gray, 1821

Family Cercopithecidae Gray, 1821

Genus Macaca Lacépèpde, 1799

Macaca selai species novum

Etymology: The proposed specific name for the taxon is derived from a local tribal woman ‘Sela’. The ‘Sela pass’ named after her who supported Indian soldier during the attack and invasion by Chinese army in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. For giving respect to the brave local girl-Sela, we chose her name to the newly defined macaque species which also a phylogenetic divergent of Arunachal macaque.

Population demography and phylogenetic position of Arunachal macaque and Sela macaque.
 (a) Bayesian skyline plots showing the trend of effective population size (Ne) of Arunachal macaque and Sela macaque. T is generation time. M. munzala and West Kameng population of M. selai showed declining trend of effective population size since last 2000 years while Upper Subansiri pop of M. selai showed expansion in last 8000 years followed by very recent decline. Scale in years.
(b) Bayesian phylogenetic tree of ‘sinica’ group of macaques using mitochondrial d-loop sequences. Rhesus macaque (M. mulatta) was considered as an outgroup. Three groups, i.e., M. munzala from Tawang, Upper Subansiri and West Kameng populations of M. selai showed significant divergence in term of their origin. Node time given in million years.

Avijit Ghosh, Mukesh Thakur, Sujeet K. Singh, Ritam Dutta,Lalit K. Sharma, Kailash Chandra and Dhriti Banerjee. 2022. The Sela Macaque (Macaca selai) is A Distinct Phylogenetic Species that evolved from the Arunachal Macaque following Allopatric Speciation. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press, 107513. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107513