Reanalysis on Phylogeographic Pattern of Sharpbelly Hemiculter leucisculus (Cyprinidae: Cultrinae) in China: A Review and the Implications for Conservation

Hemiculter leucisclus , as a widely distributed freshwater fish in China, provides an interesting model to explore the impact of drainage evolution and geologic history Pleistocene on diversification patterns. We collected mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene recombination activating 2 (RAG2) from 1,070 individuals 59 sampling locations. Phylogenetic population genetic approaches were used describe phylogeographic pattern test how geological climatic factors diversification. The results suggested that there existed four sublineages H. across six river systems, among which two sublineages, showing strongly indigenous characteristics, are constrained particular geographical regions China. molecular data ancestral states demonstrated possibly originated Pearl River basin during later Pliocene. appears have been driven by palaeoenvironmental perturbations rather than anthropogenic translocations. geographically A middle lower sublineage B upper Yangtze deserves special protection.