Eizirik E, Bonatto S L, Johnson W E, Crawshaw P G, Vié J C, Brousset D M, O'Brien S J, Salzano F M
Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
J Mol Evol. 1998 Nov;47(5):613-24. doi: 10.1007/pl00006418.
The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and margay (L. wiedii) are sister-species of Neotropical cats which evolved from a lineage that migrated into South America during the formation of the Panamanian land bridge 3-5 million years ago. Patterns of population genetic divergence of each species were studied by phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequences in individuals sampled across the distribution of these taxa. Abundant genetic diversity and remarkably concordant phylogeographic partitions for both species were observed, identifying parallel geographic regions which likely reflect historical faunal barriers. Inferred aspects of phylogeography, population genetic structure, and demographic history were used to formulate conservation recommendations for these species. In addition, observed patterns of sequence variation provided insight into the molecular evolution of the mtDNA control region in closely related felids.
豹猫（Leopardus pardalis）和虎猫（L. wiedii）是新热带界猫科动物中的姐妹物种，它们起源于一个在300 - 500万年前巴拿马陆桥形成期间迁移到南美洲的谱系。通过对这些分类单元分布范围内采样个体的线粒体DNA（mtDNA）控制区序列进行系统发育分析，研究了每个物种的种群遗传分化模式。观察到这两个物种都具有丰富的遗传多样性和显著一致的系统地理学划分，确定了可能反映历史动物区系屏障的平行地理区域。利用推断出的系统地理学、种群遗传结构和种群历史方面的信息，为这些物种制定了保护建议。此外，观察到的序列变异模式为深入了解近缘猫科动物mtDNA控制区的分子进化提供了线索。
