Geological and climatic factors affect the population genetic connectivity in Mirabilis himalaica (Nyctaginaceae): insight from phylogeography and dispersal corridors in the Himalaya-Hengduan Biodiversity hotspot

The genetic differentiation within a species in the Himalaya-Hengduan Mountains (HHM) region was considered as the combined consequence of historical orogenesis and climatic oscillations. The visualization of dispersal corridors as the function of population genetic connectivity became crucial to elucidate the spatiotemporal dynamics of organisms. However, geodiversity and physical barriers created by paleo-geoclimatic events acted vigorously to impact notable alterations in the phylogeographic pattern and dispersal corridors. Therefore, to achieve detailed phylogeography, locate dispersal corridors and estimate gene flow, we integrated phylogeography with species distribution modelling and Least Cost method of Mirabilis himalaica (Edgew.) Heimerl in the HHM. We amplified four cpDNA (petL-psbE, rps16-trnK, rps16 intron, trnS-trnG), and a low copy nuclear gene (G3pdh) sequences from entire 29 populations. SAMOVA, genealogical relationships, and phylogenetic analysis revealed four structu...