Alpine marmots in Austria. The present population structure as a result of the postglacial distribution history

Abstract

The present distribution of the Alpine marmot Marmota m. marmota (Linnaeus, 1758) in Austria, the historical range during the Pleistocene, and recent efforts of re-introduction were documented. Autochthonous populations inhabit a continuous range extending over the western part of the Austrian Alps. Non-autochthonous populations occur in a more fragmented area of partly isolated massifs in the east. The non-autochthonous populations were generated by the release of only a few founder individuals (median = 5). The impact of founder effects and migration barriers on the structure of the disjunct non-autochthonous populations is confirmed by the genetic analysis of allozymes and VNTR-loci. Whereas autochthonous populations are characterized by high genetic similarity and common polymorphisms, the non-autochthonous populations exhibit a more patchy pattern of variation caused by founder effects and subsequent drift. From the relationships indicated by the VNTR-patterns it appears possible to infer the putative origin of the founder individuals. In previous allozyme studies the genetic variability was found to be reduced with the exception of two widespread polymorphisms at the loci Pep-1 and Sod-1. A parasitological survey shows that Pep-1 genotypes differ in their degree of infestation by endoparasites (Citellina alpina and Ctenotaenia marmotae) indicating that this polymorphism may be maintained by selective forces.

Microsatellite analysis of genetic variation among and within Alpine marmot populations in the French Alps

“…Preleuthner & Pinsker (1993) also detected only two polymorphic loci out of 50 allozyme loci and estimated an average heterozygosity of 0.012 for populations from Austria and Switzerland. This result was confirmed by Preleuthner et al . (1995).…”

Differences in initial and acquired resistance to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis between populations of rainbowfish

“…One of the most controversial explanations for variation between strains or populations in disease-resistance is that resistance may be governed by the level of heterozygosity of individuals in a population (Allendorf & Leary, 1986 generally supports the assumption that more heterozygous individuals have a higher resistance to parasites (Ferguson & Drahushchak, 1990;Markowski et al, 1990;Gulland et al, 1993;Preleuthner et al, 1995). Similarly, losses of heterozygosity in desert fish Poeciliopsis spp.…”

Enzyme heterozygosity and developmental stability

“…Allozyme genotypes of the alpine marmot Marmota marmota marmota are related to differential susceptibility to intestinal parasites (Preleuthner et al 1995). An extensive allozyme survey of protein variation revealed polymorphisms at only super oxide dismutase (Sod) and peptidase (Pep) in populations in Austria.…”