| dc.description.abstract | South and Southeast Asia have been considered as biodiversity hot-pot, however, unfortunately, they are now suffering from the highest rate of deforestation, which is the crucial factor causing habitat loss and puts biodiversity under serious threat. In spite of habitat loss due to deforestation, Duttaphrynus melanostictus is able to enlarge their occupation throughout South-Southeast Asia. Furthermore, this Asian Common toad also possesses three distinct lineages representing for Mainland, Coastal and Island populations. Identifying geological factors that shaped the current distribution pattern of living organisms has attracted research interest. Taking advantages of representative sample localities throughout South-Southeast Asia and intensive genetic analyses from both nuclear and mitochondrial genes, this research aims to elucidate the geological factors shaping the current distribution pattern of D. melanostictus. Expectedly, the phylogenetic tree, possessing three evolutionary lineages that differ genetically and ecologically, corresponding to Asian Mainland, Coastal Myanmar, and Sundaio islands, was reconstructed. The divergence time was estimated in Oligocene. Island group is the most distinct lineage due to the acclimatization to the unique geological condition of Sundaio islands, where locates on the Pacific Ring of Fire, while the distinction of the Coastal clade represents a lineage adapting to tidal flats environment. Furthermore, the outcome also suggests that D. melanostictus may consist of more than one species and each conquers unique niches. | en_US |