Population history, phylogeography, and conservation genetics of the last Neotropical mega-herbivore, the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris)

A groundbreaking study on the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the last Neotropical mega-herbivore, reveals that its population history and phylogeography were significantly shaped by Pleistocene climatic events, parapatric speciation, Andean foothill divergence, and the Amazon River's role as a gene flow barrier. The research, using mitochondrial Cytochrome b gene variation, suggests a late Pleistocene divergence for lowland tapir, aligning with fossil records, and proposes western Amazonia—particularly the ecological gradient between Andean subcloud forests and Amazon lowland forests—as a critical region for tapir diversification. Contrary to conservation priorities, genetic structure does not correspond with proposed ecogeographic regions, questioning their effectiveness for vagile species. The study underscores the complex evolutionary history of lowland tapirs and highlights the need for further research with broader sampling and loci to refine conservation strategies.

de Thoisy, B., da Silva, A., Ruiz-García, M., Tapia, A., Ramirez, O., Arana, M., Quse, V., Paz-y-Miño, C., Tobler, M., Pedraza, C., & Lavergne, A. (2010). Population history, phylogeography, and conservation genetics of the last Neotropical mega-herbivore, the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris). BMC Evolutionary Biology, 10(1), 278. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-10-278