Influence of ancient glacial periods on the Andean fauna: the case of the pampas cat (Leopardus colocolo)

摘要

BackgroundWhile numerous studies revealed the major role of environmental changes of the Quaternary on the evolution of biodiversity, research on the influence of that period on current South-American fauna is scarce and have usually focused on lowland regions. In this study, the genetic structure of the pampas cat (Leopardus colocolo), a widely distributed felid, was determined and linked to ancient climate fluctuations on the Andean region.