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Low mitochondrial DNA variation and recent colonization of Scandinavia by the wood lemming Myopus schisticolor
Author(s) -
Fedorov V.,
Jaarola M.,
Fredga K.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
molecular ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.619
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1365-294X
pISSN - 0962-1083
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-294x.1996.00112.x
Subject(s) - biology , mitochondrial dna , colonization , phylogeography , haplotype , genetic diversity , population , restriction fragment length polymorphism , nucleotide diversity , mtdna control region , zoology , ecology , genetic variation , evolutionary biology , genetics , phylogenetics , demography , allele , genotype , gene , sociology
The population genetic structure of wood lemmings ( Myopus schisticolor ) from Scandinavia, Finland and western Siberia was examined by restriction fragment length polymorphism of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in 45 individuals from six localities. The 12 observed mtDNA haplotypes demonstrated a distinct phylogeographic pattern, suggesting that the postglacial colonization of Scandinavia by wood lemmings occurred from north‐east. However, a very low level of haplotype and nucleotide diversity and a lack of geographical structure were found within Scandinavia. The limited mtDNA diversity in the Scandinavian populations probably reflects recent divergence in situ after colonization by a limited number of founders. Allozyme data support this scenario.