Microsatellite and Skull Morphology Analysis of Tupaia belangeri chinensis in Yunnan Province

Chinese tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) is an experimental animal with a close affinity to primates. A lot of genetic marker selections and physiological adaptation studies of T. belangeri chinensis have been reported in detail. But genetic diversity and skull adaptation within T. belangeri chinensis populations from different habitats remain largely unknown or are controversial. In the present study focuing on T. belangeri chinensis that from Mengla, Puer, Jingdong, Kunmimng, Chuxiong, Dali, Pianma and Lijiang. Using microsatellite approaches, we observed considerable genetic variation and high heterozygosity in T. belangeri chinensis populations in different Yunnan province, and Chuxiong population and Lijiang population had relative low genetic diversity. Moreover, skull morphology changed for adapting to changing environment in T. belangeri chinensis. Finally, MengLa population had remarkable differences with the other populations both in genetic diversity and skull morphology. Our study provides genetic diversity and skull morphology knowledge of T. belangeri chinensis, their adaptation of genetic level and skull offers new insight into their classification and adaptation.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the genetic diversity and skull morphology adaptation of the Chinese tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis). The results show significant genetic variation among populations of T. belangeri chinensis in different regions of Yunnan province, with the Chuxiong and Lijiang populations displaying lower genetic diversity. Furthermore, the skull morphology of the tree shrews has adapted to changing environments.