# Shared historical refugia and genetic diversity hotspots of co-distributed species on the Qinghai Tibet plateau

## TL;DR

The study finds that the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a shared hotspot of genetic diversity for three endemic species, highlighting its importance for conservation.

## Contribution

The integration of genomic data and ecological niche models reveals shared genetic diversity hotspots and historical refugia across multiple species.

## Key findings

- The northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a shared genetic diversity hotspot for three co-distributed species.
- Genetic diversity declines from northeast to southwest across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
- Species-specific evolutionary responses to historical climate fluctuations are observed.

## Abstract

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is a global biodiversity hotspot, yet the distribution of genetic diversity hotspots in co-distributed species remains poorly understood. Here, we integrate genomic data from three co-distributed endemic species (plateau pika and two snowfinches) on the QTP, with ecological niche models (ENMs) based on paleoclimate data to identify shared genetic diversity hotspots. Our results reveal a consistent northeast-to-southwest decline in genetic diversity, with a shared hotspot located in the northeastern QTP. ENMs further suggest that these species shared glacial refugia in this region during the last glacial maximum, followed by post-glacial expansions into the central plateau, resulting in similar spatial patterns of genetic diversity. Differences in genetic differentiation, demographic history, inbreeding depression, and genetic load suggest species-specific evolutionary responses to historical climate fluctuations. Overall, our study highlights the importance of protecting hotspots of shared genetic diversity across multiple species to preserve their evolutionary potential.

•The northeastern QTP is a shared genetic diversity hotspot for the three species•Genetic diversity decreasing from northeast to southwest across the QTP•Species-specific evolutionary responses to historical climate fluctuations•Conservation priority should focus on northeastern QTP to safeguard evolutionary potential

The northeastern QTP is a shared genetic diversity hotspot for the three species

Genetic diversity decreasing from northeast to southwest across the QTP

Species-specific evolutionary responses to historical climate fluctuations

Conservation priority should focus on northeastern QTP to safeguard evolutionary potential

Ecology; Wildlife genetics; Zoology