Open AccessSelection and drift influence genetic differentiation of insular Canada lynx ( Lynx canadensis ) on Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island
Author(s) -
Prentice Melanie B.,
Bowman Jeff,
Khidas Kamal,
Koen Erin L.,
Row Jeffrey R.,
Murray Dennis L.,
Wilson Paul J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.2945
Subject(s) - genetic drift , biology , natural selection , founder effect , genetic diversity , evolutionary biology , selection (genetic algorithm) , population , locus (genetics) , cape , genetic variation , ecology , allele , geography , genetics , gene , demography , archaeology , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science , haplotype
Island populations have long been important for understanding the dynamics and mechanisms of evolution in natural systems. While genetic drift is often strong on islands due to founder events and population bottlenecks, the strength of selection can also be strong enough to counteract the effects of drift. Here, we used several analyses to identify the roles of genetic drift and selection on genetic differentiation and diversity of Canada lynx ( Lynx canadensis ) across eastern Canada, including the islands of Cape Breton and Newfoundland. Specifically, we assessed whether we could identify a genetic component to the observed morphological differentiation that has been reported across insular and mainland lynx. We used a dinucleotide repeat within the promoter region of a functional gene that has been linked to mammalian body size, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 ( IGF‐1 ). We found high genetic differentiation at neutral molecular markers but convergence of allele frequencies at the IGF‐1 locus. Thus, we showed that while genetic drift has influenced the observed genetic structure of lynx at neutral molecular markers, natural selection has also played a role in the observed patterns of genetic diversity at the IGF‐1 locus of insular lynx.