Complete mitogenome of Chinese shrew moleUropsilus soricipes(Milne-Edwards, 1871) (Mammalia: Talpidae) and genetic structure of the species in the Jiajin Mountains (China)

Researchers have uncovered evidence that the Chinese shrew mole (Uropsilus soricipes) experienced significant demographic expansion around 46,600 years ago, with its genetic structure shaped by mountain ranges. Analyzing the complete mitochondrial genome of this species—16,575 base pairs long—the study revealed low nucleotide diversity and high haplotype diversity in populations from the Jiajin Mountains. Phylogenetic analysis further indicated that two distinct clades diverged during the middle Pleistocene, approximately 0.986 million years ago, highlighting the role of geological features in influencing species distribution. This work provides new insights into the evolutionary history and population dynamics of Uropsilus soricipes, contributing to our understanding of biodiversity patterns in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries.

Tu, F., Liu, S., Liu, Y., Sun, Z., Yin, Y., Yan, C., Lu, L., Yue, B., & Zhang, X. (2014). Complete mitogenome of Chinese shrew moleUropsilus soricipes(Milne-Edwards, 1871) (Mammalia: Talpidae) and genetic structure of the species in the Jiajin Mountains (China). Journal of Natural History, 48(23-24), 1467–1483. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2013.842012