Open AccessGenetic turnovers and northern survival during the last glacial maximum in European brown bears
Author(s) -
Ersmark Erik,
Baryshnikov Gennady,
Higham Thomas,
Argant Alain,
Castaños Pedro,
Döppes Doris,
Gasparik Mihaly,
Germonpré Mietje,
Lidén Kerstin,
Lipecki Grzegorz,
Marciszak Adrian,
Miller Rebecca,
MorenoGarcía Marta,
Pacher Martina,
Robu Marius,
RodriguezVarela Ricardo,
Rojo Guerra Manuel,
Sabol Martin,
Spassov Nikolai,
Storå Jan,
Valdiosera Christina,
Villaluenga Aritza,
Stewart John R.,
Dalén Love
Publication year - 2019
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/ece3.5172
Subject(s) - ursus , last glacial maximum , phylogeography , pleistocene , glacial period , ecology , holocene , climate change , mitochondrial dna , geography , genetic diversity , genetic structure , ancient dna , biology , paleontology , phylogenetics , demography , population , biochemistry , sociology , gene
The current phylogeographic pattern of European brown bears ( Ursus arctos ) has commonly been explained by postglacial recolonization out of geographically distinct refugia in southern Europe, a pattern well in accordance with the expansion/contraction model. Studies of ancient DNA from brown bear remains have questioned this pattern, but have failed to explain the glacial distribution of mitochondrial brown bear clades and their subsequent expansion across the European continent. We here present 136 new mitochondrial sequences generated from 346 remains from Europe, ranging in age between the Late Pleistocene and historical times. The genetic data show a high Late Pleistocene diversity across the continent and challenge the strict confinement of bears to traditional southern refugia during the last glacial maximum (LGM). The mitochondrial data further suggest a genetic turnover just before this time, as well as a steep demographic decline starting in the mid‐Holocene. Levels of stable nitrogen isotopes from the remains confirm a previously proposed shift toward increasing herbivory around the LGM in Europe. Overall, these results suggest that in addition to climate, anthropogenic impact and inter‐specific competition may have had more important effects on the brown bear's ecology, demography, and genetic structure than previously thought.