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High levels of population differentiation in E urasian lynx at the edge of the species' western range in Europe revealed by mitochondrial DNA analyses
Author(s) -
Ratkiewicz M.,
Matosiuk M.,
Kowalczyk R.,
Konopiński M. K.,
Okarma H.,
Ozolins J.,
Männil P.,
Ornicans A.,
Schmidt K.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
animal conservation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.111
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1469-1795
pISSN - 1367-9430
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2012.00556.x
Subject(s) - analysis of molecular variance , biology , genetic diversity , population , gene flow , mitochondrial dna , range (aeronautics) , mtdna control region , nucleotide diversity , carnivore , zoology , genetic variation , haplotype , evolutionary biology , phylogeography , genetic structure , ecology , genetics , phylogenetics , gene , demography , genotype , predation , materials science , sociology , composite material
Large terrestrial carnivores are particularly prone to factors constraining levels of population genetic diversity because of their low densities and high spatial requirements. We studied the pattern of E urasian lynx L ynx lynx population genetic variability in the westernmost part of its natural range from Scandinavia to the C arpathian M ountains (north‐central E urope) based on 190 samples using 613 base pair‐long sequences from the mitochondrial DNA control region ( mtDNA‐cr ). We examined whether the population history or contemporary habitat constraints of this large and mobile carnivore could have significantly affected its genetic structure. We recorded nine mtDNA haplotypes, including five not previously reported. Lynx from L atvia and E stonia had the highest variability with haplotype and nucleotide diversities of 0.81–0.88% and 0.44–0.47%, respectively. In contrast, there was no polymorphism present in peripheral populations from N orway and the C arpathian M ountains. Lynx populations were strongly differentiated [analysis of molecular variance ( AMOVA ): Φ ST = 0.570, P < 0.001, F ST = 0.464, P < 0.001)]. S patial A nalysis of M olecular V ariance identified four separate groups of populations: (1) N orway, F inland and E stonia; (2) L atvia and N orth E astern P oland; (3) the B iałowieża P rimeval F orest; (4) the C arpathians. The patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation suggested a number of discrete populations that are poorly connected by contemporary gene flow and could therefore be considered demographically independent. The peripheral location of these populations, habitat fragmentation and the strict territorial structure of lynx populations are factors likely contributing to the observed patterns. The study provides suggestions for active conservation/management decisions including translocations or reintroductions of lynx.