The Hengduan Mountains' Subsidiary ranges impacted the geographic distribution patterns of bats

The role of the Hengduan Mountains in biodiversity distribution is well-documented, but the impact of its subsidiary ranges on species distribution and evolution remains unclear. This study examined the Stoliczka's Asian Trident Bat (Aselliscus stoliczkanus) to assess how Pleistocene climatic changes and the uplift of these ranges influenced its distribution and evolution. Using species distribution models, morphometric data, and molecular genetic analysis, we identified shifts in the bat's distribution under different climatic scenarios and evaluated its morphological and genetic differentiation. We found a significant correlation between the bat's distribution and warmest quarter precipitation, with habitat suitability fluctuating in response to climatic changes. The subsidiary ranges facilitated morphological and genetic differentiation among bat populations and acted as barriers to dispersal. These findings underscore the critical role of the Hengduan Mountains' subsidiary ranges in shaping bat distribution and evolution, providing new insights into the effects of geological changes on small mammals in the region.