Genetic Diversity and Population History of Uropsilus (Eulipotyphla: Talpidae) in Mts. Qinling–Dabashan Area

ABSTRACT Clarifying formation processes and dispersal history of given taxon provides important insights into understanding the origins and persistence of regional biodiversity. Here, we investigated the phylogeny, divergence times, genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history of Uropsilus populations distributed across the Mts. Qinling–Dabashan area using two mitochondrial and three nuclear loci. The results indicated that Uropsilus populations in the Mts. Qinling–Dabashan area are composed of U. funiushanensis (east) and U. sp. 5 (west), with their most recent common ancestors dated back to 2.18 Ma (95% CI: 2.00–2.67 Ma). The populations exhibit pronounced east–west genetic differentiation, with additional north–south structuring observed within each species. During the Last Glacial Maximum, both U. funiushanensis and U. sp. 5 experienced population expansion, and the Hanjiang River posed a minimal barrier to north–south gene flow, whereas subsequent Holocene warming led to increased isolation. Overall, the Mts. Qinling–Dabashan have consistently provided suitable habitats, maintaining the genetic diversity of U. funiushanensis and U. sp. 5. These findings were expected to provide new insights into the speciation, historical dispersal, and the maintenance of genetic diversity of Uropsilus in the Mts. Qinling–Dabashan area of China.