Fig. 1. Palaeogeographical processes in the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding regions during the Cenozoic.

Palaeotopography was derived from a palaeo-digital elevation model (palaeoDEM, 1° × 1° resolution) developed by Scotese & Wright52. Changes in the atmosphere–ocean climate system were compiled from the data of Sun & Wang50. Present-day zoogeographical regions were adapted from Kreft & Jetz6 and Holt et al.5. CA Central Asia, MP Mongolian Plateau, NA North Asia, NC North China, SA South Asia, SC South China, SEA Southeast Asia, TP Tibetan Plateau, WA West Asia.