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Genetic differentiation of the edible dormouse ( Glis glis ) in the Polish Sudetens: the current status of an endangered species
Author(s) -
Moska M.,
Mucha A.,
Wierzbicki H.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/jzo.12552
Subject(s) - biology , mantel test , biological dispersal , gene flow , genetic structure , cytochrome b , zoology , habitat fragmentation , population , genetic variation , ecology , phylogenetic tree , evolutionary biology , habitat , genetics , gene , demography , sociology
In this study, we investigated the influence of geographical barriers and forest fragmentation on the genetic structure and variability in an arboreal rodent, the edible dormouse, inhabiting the Polish Sudetens. A total of 56 free‐living edible dormice ( Glis glis ) sampled from four mountain ranges in the Sudetens were analysed. Twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci and mt DNA (cytochrome b ) were used in the study. Principal components analysis ( PCA ) and genetic structure analysis were carried out to detect the most probable number of genetically differentiated clusters. The correlations between the genetic/geographical distances and the barriers were studied using Mantel tests. The mt DNA cytochrome b analysis revealed only two haplotypes, both corresponding to the European haplogroup. Although the Mantel test results showed no significant impact of distance or habitat barrier on the observed interpopulation genetic variation, PCA and genetic structure analyses clearly indicated four genetic clusters as the most probable number of genetically distinct groups. They corresponded to the four populations inhabiting the mountain ranges studied. These results show that dormouse dispersal is closely linked to forests, and hence that gene flow within the edible dormouse population is influenced by the connectivity of landscape features. Furthermore, this may reflect adaptation to environmental conditions in the Sudetens as well as historical patterns of post‐glacial colonization. The results of our study should be used to develop conservation strategies of this species.