Open AccessWolves at the crossroad: Fission–fusion range biogeography in the Western Carpathians and Central Europe
Author(s) -
Hulva Pavel,
Černá Bolfíková Barbora,
Woznicová Vendula,
Jindřichová Milena,
Benešová Markéta,
Mysłajek Robert W.,
Nowak Sabina,
Szewczyk Maciej,
Niedźwiecka Natalia,
Figura Michał,
Hájková Andrea,
Sándor Atilla D.,
Zyka Vladimír,
Romportl Dušan,
Kutal Miroslav,
Finďo Slavomír,
Antal Vladimír
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
diversity and distributions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.918
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1472-4642
pISSN - 1366-9516
DOI - 10.1111/ddi.12676
Subject(s) - phylogeography , biological dispersal , population , geography , biogeography , ecology , range (aeronautics) , population genetics , vicariance , demographic history , context (archaeology) , gene flow , biology , genetic variation , demography , phylogenetics , archaeology , biochemistry , materials science , sociology , gene , composite material
Abstract Aim Population fragmentation represents a leitmotif of conservation biology, but the impact of population reconnection is less well studied. The recent recolonization of large carnivores in Europe is a good model for studying this phenomenon. We aim to show novel data regarding distribution and population genetic structure of the grey wolf in Central Europe, a region considered a frequent crossroad and contact zone of different phylogeographic lineages, in a biogeographic context. Location Western Carpathians, Central Europe. Methods In concordance with the presumption of a highly mobile mammal, individual‐based Bayesian clustering and a posteriori definition of populations were used. Integrating the frameworks of landscape genetics and biogeography enabled the identification of transitions in population architecture. These patterns could be ascribed to isolating factors based on historical knowledge about species demography. Results Genetic differentiation mirrors population isolation and recognized environmental clusters, suggesting ecotypic variation. The east–west split in the Western Carpathians likely represents the signature of range fragmentation during bottlenecks in the 20th century. Mitochondrial variability is more depleted than nuclear variability, indicating founder‐flush demography. Microsatellites show finer‐scale differentiation in the Carpathians compared to the European plain, corresponding to topographic heterogeneity. Long‐range dispersal of a Carpathian wolf (ca. 300 km), the establishment of enclaves originated from the lowland population and admixture with mountain wolves were ascertained, indicating a population fraction producing large‐scale gene flow. Main conclusion Carpathian wolves are characterized by periods of population and range decline due to eradication, facilitating refugial role of alpine habitats and peripatric effects, followed by expansions and fusions probably caused by forest transition, population adaptation and efforts in conservation management. New occurrence and hybridization events predict further contacts between formerly isolated populations, with potential opposing effects of heterosis and outbreeding depression. Population recovery might be hindered due to isolation by environment and anthropogenic impacts.