Open AccessLow but contrasting neutral genetic differentiation shaped by winter temperature in European great tits
Author(s) -
Lemoine Mélissa,
Lucek Kay,
Perrier Charles,
Saladin Verena,
Adriaensen Frank,
Barba Emilio,
Belda Eduardo J.,
Charmantier Anne,
Cichoń Mariusz,
Eeva Tapio,
Grégoire Arnaud,
Hinde Camilla A.,
Johnsen Arild,
Komdeur Jan,
Mänd Raivo,
Matthysen Erik,
Norte Ana Cláudia,
Pitala Natalia,
Sheldon Ben C.,
Slagsvold Tore,
Tinbergen Joost M.,
Török János,
Ubels Richard,
Oers Kees,
Visser Marcel E.,
Doligez Blandine,
Richner Heinz
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
biological journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.906
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1095-8312
pISSN - 0024-4066
DOI - 10.1111/bij.12745
Subject(s) - biology , metapopulation , local adaptation , genetic structure , intraspecific competition , gene flow , evolutionary biology , ecology , population , genetic diversity , adaptation (eye) , genetic divergence , parus , population genetics , genetic variation , biological dispersal , genetics , gene , demography , neuroscience , sociology
Gene flow is usually thought to reduce genetic divergence and impede local adaptation by homogenising gene pools between populations. However, evidence for local adaptation and phenotypic differentiation in highly mobile species, experiencing high levels of gene flow, is emerging. Assessing population genetic structure at different spatial scales is thus a crucial step towards understanding mechanisms underlying intraspecific differentiation and diversification. Here, we studied the population genetic structure of a highly mobile species – the great tit Parus major – at different spatial scales. We analysed 884 individuals from 30 sites across Europe including 10 close‐by sites (< 50 km), using 22 microsatellite markers. Overall we found a low but significant genetic differentiation among sites ( F ST = 0.008). Genetic differentiation was higher, and genetic diversity lower, in south‐western Europe. These regional differences were statistically best explained by winter temperature. Overall, our results suggest that great tits form a single patchy metapopulation across Europe, in which genetic differentiation is independent of geographical distance and gene flow may be regulated by environmental factors via movements related to winter severity. This might have important implications for the evolutionary trajectories of sub‐populations, especially in the context of climate change, and calls for future investigations of local differences in costs and benefits of philopatry at large scales.