Abstract
Background: Comparative phylogeography links historical population processes to current/ecological processes through
congruent/incongruent patterns of genetic variation among species/lineages. Despite high biodiversity, India lacks a
phylogeographic paradigm due to limited comparative studies. We compared the phylogenetic patterns of Indian populations of jungle cat (Felis chaus) and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). Given similarities in their distribution within India, evolutionary histories, body size and habits, congruent patterns of genetic variation were expected.

Methodology/Principal Findings: We collected scats from various biogeographic zones in India and analyzed mtDNA from
55 jungle cats (460 bp NADH5, 141 bp cytochrome b) and 40 leopard cats (362 bp NADH5, 202 bp cytochrome b). Jungle
cats revealed high genetic variation, relatively low population structure and demographic expansion around the mid-
Pleistocene. In contrast, leopard cats revealed lower genetic variation and high population structure with a FST of 0.86
between North and South Indian populations. Niche-model analyses using two approaches (BIOCLIM and MaxEnt) support
absence of leopard cats from Central India, indicating a climate associated barrier. We hypothesize that high summer
temperatures limit leopard cat distribution and that a rise in temperature in the peninsular region of India during the LGM
caused the split in leopard cat population in India.

Conclusions/Significance: Our results indicate that ecological variables describing a species range can predict genetic
patterns. Our study has also resolved the confusion over the distribution of the leopard cat in India. The reciprocally
monophyletic island population in the South mandates conservation attention.