Cytochrome b gene (cytb) sequence diversity in a Microtus oeconomus population from Bialowieza Primeval Forest

Abstract

Based on published information about the glacial, postglacial, and recent distribution of the root vole, Microtus oeconomus, we hypothesized that a population inhabiting the pristine wetland in eastern Poland (Bialowieza Primeval Forest) might comprise a high diversity of haplotypes. The support for this hypothesis was provided by an analysis of partial cytb gene sequences from 149 voles sampled within a two-hectare plot during a nine-year study. In this population, we identified eight haplotypes (PLB1–PLB8), four of which were new to the root vole. These haplotypes were characterized by low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0054, SE = 0.0019), the absence of transversional differences between sequences, and no changes in the encoded amino acid sequence: features suggesting a lack of immigration from the distant populations. The haplotype number and their frequency distribution in males and females did not differ significantly. An assessment of the persistence of matrilines in the local population throughout the study period revealed that the haplotype composition was relatively stable for only about 3 years. A more complete haplotype network for root voles in Europe was constructed by combining the newly identified haplotypes with the 45 previously described haplotypes. Two of the haplotypes detected in this study occupy key positions in this network: PLB5, as the closest link to the North European group, and PLB8, as an ancestor to many other Central European haplotypes.

The effect of Pleistocene glacial morphogenesis on the genetic structure of the humid- and cold-tolerant root voleMicrotus oeconomus(Rodentia, Cricetidae) in Poland, central Europe

“…Perhaps the PL-9 haplotype, although most numerous among the 21 haplotypes found in this area, has not been revealed during this study, yet still exists here. A similar situation was previously observed in the root vole population studied for many years in eastern Poland (Dąbrowski et al, 2013). In spite of some geologic differences of the Polesie region, spatial analysis of molecular variance (SAMOVA) of mtDNA includes the root vole population from this area to the common group of populations from the Vistulian, Wartanian, and Odranian zones (Jancewicz et al, 2015).…”

Long Eared Owls (Asio otus Linnaeus, 1758) as Field-Assistants in an Integrative Taxonomy Survey of a Peculiar Microtus savii (Rodentia, Cricetidae) Population

“…Literature analysis revealed a high variability in haplotype numbers present in different sampling pools of the Microtus species. Data ranged from several haplotypes, each represented by a few individuals [49,50], to a small number of haplotypes, each represented by many individuals [45,51]. The number of different sequences is higher than those already documented for congeneric species at local geographic scale [45,51] and might be due either to the coexistence of different genetic pools in the same area or to the sampling method.…”

“…As reported in the Materials and Methods section, several samples showed double signals in the electropherogram and therefore were not included in the haplotype counts as described by D ąbrowski and colleagues [45]. This condition is presumably caused by heteroplasmy, i.e., the co-occurrence of different mtDNA haplotypes within the same individual.…”

“…This condition is presumably caused by heteroplasmy, i.e., the co-occurrence of different mtDNA haplotypes within the same individual. This condition can stem from several causes, including somatic or germline mutations or mitochondrial paternal leakage [46], a phenomenon already described within the Genus [45]. In this case, each double signal was visually scanned, and the two bases called by the sequencer were always typical of two of the already known haplotypes.…”

mtDNA evidence for a local northern latitude Pleistocene refugium for the root vole (Microtus oeconomus, Arvicolinae, Rodentia) from Eastern Poland

“…Furthermore, one intensively studied population in eastern Poland (9 years, 169 individuals) appeared to include eight haplotypes, four of which were not previously recorded (Dąbrowski et al. ). This suggests high haplotype diversity in this part of Poland.…”