Li Chen, Fang Yi-Hao, Ren Guo-Peng, Li Yan-Peng, Huang Zhi-Pang, Cui Liang-Wei, Youlatos Dionisios, Garber Paul A, Ni Xi-Jun, Zhu Hua, Luo De-Wen, Liu Xin, Chu-Yuan Meng-Ran, Tian Ying-Ping, Li Ying-Chun, Zeng Xiang-le, Yan Dong, Li Gen-Hui, Xiao Wen, Wu Rui-Dong, Yang Yin
Conservation Biogeography Research Group, Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.
Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.
Glob Chang Biol. 2025 Apr;31(4):e70178. doi: 10.1111/gcb.70178.
The southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (Yunnan, China) exhibits high biodiversity but stark differences in species richness between its western Longitudinal Range Gorge (LRG) and eastern Yunnan Plateau (YP). We collected distribution data for 16 primate species in Yunnan and analyzed palynological records over the past 20 ka from 21 localities to identify the biogeographic, climatic, and anthropogenic factors that have driven the present-day distribution of primates in this region. By integrating local ecological knowledge, field surveys, species distribution models, niche utilization rates, and historical vegetation and land use changes, we found that spatial-temporal shifts in the monsoon climate have been a critical factor in shaping primate species richness on the southeastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Compared to the YP, the LRG receives more precipitation, has more limited seasonal temperature variation, and has higher minimum temperatures during the coldest month. These conditions have facilitated the development of moist evergreen broadleaf forests, which represent a more suitable habitat for the 14 primate species that inhabit this area. In contrast, the drought-adapted forests of the YP support only one primate species. Palynological records indicate that the differentiation of the LRG and YP predates human influence. However, over the past 2000 years, anthropogenic habitat loss and hunting have significantly affected the distribution of primates. The ranges of gibbons, langurs, and snub-nosed monkeys are now restricted to the central and northern regions of the LRG and have disappeared from lower elevations. Lorises have disappeared from their northernmost range. In contrast, the distribution of macaques has remained relatively stable. The Yangtze-Red River-24° N line marks the biogeographic boundary of high primate species richness and biodiversity in the LRG and southeastern Yunnan. Our research suggests that changes in monsoon climate have fundamentally shaped contemporary species richness, while recent anthropogenic pressures have caused 'range contraction' for many taxa.
青藏高原东南边缘（中国云南）生物多样性高，但西部的纵向岭谷（LRG）和东部的云南高原（YP）之间物种丰富度存在显著差异。我们收集了云南16种灵长类物种的分布数据，并分析了过去2万年中来自21个地点的孢粉记录，以确定驱动该地区灵长类动物现今分布的生物地理、气候和人为因素。通过整合当地生态知识、实地调查、物种分布模型、生态位利用率以及历史植被和土地利用变化，我们发现季风气候的时空变化是塑造青藏高原东南边缘灵长类物种丰富度的关键因素。与云南高原相比，纵向岭谷降水更多，季节性温度变化更有限，最冷月份的最低温度更高。这些条件促进了湿润常绿阔叶林的发展，而湿润常绿阔叶林是栖息在该地区的14种灵长类物种更适宜的栖息地。相比之下，云南高原适应干旱的森林仅支持一种灵长类物种。孢粉记录表明，纵向岭谷和云南高原的分化早于人类影响。然而，在过去2000年里，人为造成的栖息地丧失和捕猎对灵长类动物的分布产生了重大影响。长臂猿、叶猴和仰鼻猴的分布范围现在仅限于纵向岭谷的中部和北部地区，在低海拔地区已经消失。懒猴已经从其最北分布范围消失。相比之下，猕猴的分布相对稳定。长江 - 红河 - 北纬24°线标志着纵向岭谷和云南东南部灵长类物种丰富度和生物多样性高的生物地理边界。我们的研究表明，季风气候的变化从根本上塑造了当代物种丰富度，而近期的人为压力导致许多分类群出现“分布范围收缩”。
