The present study is the first molecular characterization of Alticola argentatus from Ladakh, India. Eleven gene sequences of Cytochrome b were analysed from 7 species of the genus Alticola. Phylogenetic study and genetic distance were calculated by using MEGA XII. The phylogenetic study demonstrated that species Alticola argentatus from India and Russia nested in one subclades with genetic distance (0.00167) indicating that the species from India and Russia were evolved at the same time.

Alticola argentatus, Cytochrome b, Ladakh, India

Eleven gene sequences of Cytochrome b thus analysed from 7 species of the genus Alticola by using phylogenetic delimitation and genetic distance by using MEGA XII demonstrated that species Alticola argentatus from India and Russia nested in one subclade with genetic distance of 0.00167. Thus, study inferred the co evolution of the species from India and Russia. Other species of Alticola however also delimitated by using Cytochrome b gene with separate lineages.

Archana Bahuguna, Anil Kumar, Anurag Kumar Chauhan and Iqbal Ali Khan (2025). A first molecular study of Alticola argentatus (Severtzov, 1879) from Ladakh, India. Biological Forum, 17(9): 118-122.