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Urban population genetics of slum‐dwelling rats ( R attus norvegicus ) in S alvador, B razil
Author(s) -
Kajdacsi Brittney,
Costa Federico,
Hyseni Chaz,
Porter Fleur,
Brown Julia,
Rodrigues Gorete,
Farias Helena,
Reis Mitermayer G.,
Childs James E.,
Ko Albert I.,
Caccone Adalgisa
Publication year - 2013
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 - 10.1111/mec.12455
Subject(s) - biology , population , microsatellite , genetic diversity , ecology , genetic variation , genetic structure , slum , population genetics , gene flow , zoology , evolutionary biology , genetics , demography , allele , gene , sociology
Throughout the developing world, urban centres with sprawling slum settlements are rapidly expanding and invading previously forested ecosystems. Slum communities are characterized by untended refuse, open sewers and overgrown vegetation, which promote rodent infestation. N orway rats ( R attus norvegicus ) are reservoirs for epidemic transmission of many zoonotic pathogens of public health importance. Understanding the population ecology of R . norvegicus is essential to formulate effective rodent control strategies, as this knowledge aids estimation of the temporal stability and spatial connectivity of populations. We screened for genetic variation, characterized the population genetic structure and evaluated the extent and patterns of gene flow in the urban landscape using 17 microsatellite loci in 146 rats from nine sites in the city of S alvador, B razil. These sites were divided between three neighbourhoods within the city spaced an average of 2.7 km apart. Surprisingly, we detected very little relatedness among animals trapped at the same site and found high levels of genetic diversity, as well as structuring across small geographical distances. Most F ST comparisons among sites were statistically significant, including sites <400 m apart. Bayesian analyses grouped the samples in three genetic clusters, each associated with distinct sampling sites from different neighbourhoods or valleys within neighbourhoods. These data indicate the existence of complex genetic structure in R . norvegicus in S alvador, linked to the heterogeneous urban landscape. Future rodent control measures need to take into account the spatial and temporal linkage of rat populations in S alvador, as revealed by genetic data, to develop informed eradication strategies.