Molecular evolution of the Asian francolins (Francolinus, Galliformes): A modern reappraisal of a classic study in speciation

There is lack of consensus regarding phylogenetic and biogeographical relationships of gamebirds. We investigated the evolution of the Asian francolins, five little known species in the genus Francolinus (Phasianidae). Evolutionary affinity of two of these species, F. gularis (swamp francolin) and F. pondicerianus (grey francolin), has long remained unclear. In contrast, the other three species, F. pintadeanus (Chinese francolin), F. pictus (painted francolin) and F. francolinus (black francolin) have been cast among the “spotted francolins” on a morphological and ecological basis. Previous molecular DNA investigations including Asian francolins mostly relied upon partial gene sequencing of one specimen per species (no more than three species and with the exclusion of F. pictus). Therefore, fundamental questions do persist. Are the Asian and/or the spotted francolins monophyletic? What kinship exists among the spotted and the other Asian francolins? What is the geographic origin of the black francolin, the species with the largest distribution range? We addressed these questions by sequencing the entire Control Region of the mitochondrial DNA in 228 samples of all five Asian francolin species, which were collected in 16 countries (from East Europe to East Asia). We constructed a molecular phylogeny according to Bayesian, Neighbour-Joining, Maximum Parsimony and Maximum Likelihood procedures. We proved the monophyly of each the Asian francolins and the spotted group. We also proved the East Asia origin and westwards adaptive radiation of the black francolin. In Pakistan, we identified F. f. asiae representatives in the Northern Areas and in the Sindh. The latter represents a relict population of Indian fauna within the Pakistani range of the Great Rann of Kachchh. Our results support the African origin of the Asian francolins. This is the accepted manuscript of the article published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. The final version of the record is available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2012.07.006 The Cypriot Game Fund Service(Ministry of the Interior, Nicosia, Cyprus) has funded this research.