Phylogeography and Pleistocene refugia of the adder (Vipera berus) as inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence data

Abstract

In order to contribute to the debate about southern glacial refugia used by temperate species and more northern refugia used by boreal or cold-temperate species, we examined the phylogeography of a widespread snake species (Vipera berus) inhabiting Europe up to the Arctic Circle. The analysis of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence variation in 1043 bp of the cytochrome b gene and in 918 bp of the noncoding control region was performed with phylogenetic approaches. Our results suggest that both the duplicated control region and cytochrome b evolve at a similar rate in this species. Phylogenetic analysis showed that V. berus is divided into three major mitochondrial lineages, probably resulting from an Italian, a Balkan and a Northern (from France to Russia) refugial area in Eastern Europe, near the Carpathian Mountains. In addition, the Northern clade presents an important substructure, suggesting two sequential colonization events in Europe. First, the continent was colonized from the three main refugial areas mentioned above during the Lower-Mid Pleistocene. Second, recolonization of most of Europe most likely originated from several refugia located outside of the Mediterranean peninsulas (Carpathian region, east of the Carpathians, France and possibly Hungary) during the Mid-Late Pleistocene, while populations within the Italian and Balkan Peninsulas fluctuated only slightly in distribution range, with larger lowland populations during glacial times and with refugial mountain populations during interglacials, as in the present time. The phylogeographical structure revealed in our study suggests complex recolonization dynamics of the European continent by V. berus, characterized by latitudinal as well as altitudinal range shifts, driven by both climatic changes and competition with related species.

Habitat differentiation, hybridization and gene flow patterns in mixed populations of diploid and autotetraploid Dactylorhiza maculata s.l. (Orchidaceae)

“…These hybrid zones may be derived from local glacial refugia. Recent studies have suggested that areas of sheltered topography in Central Europe may have provided refugia for woodland species and other temperate plant and animal species (Stewart and Lister 2001;Pinceel et al 2005;Ursenbacher et al 2006). Furthermore it has been clearly indicated that several alpine-subarctic plant species probably survived the glaciations at the periphery of the Alps (Schönswetter et al , 2005Tribsch and Schönswetter 2003).…”

Relict Populations and Endemic Clades in Palearctic Reptiles: Evolutionary History and Implications for Conservation

“…In the Balkans, a subspecies V. berus bosniensis Boettger, 1889, is known, and in the Far East, V. berus sachalinensis Tsarevski, 1916, has been distinguished. The relationships between these taxa have been studied by Kalyabina-Hauf et al (2004b) and by Ursenbacher et al (2006a).…”

Winter Growth, Development, and Emergence of <I>Diamesa mendotae</I> (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Minnesota Streams

“…Newly founded populations frequently have signals of reduced genetic diversity through founder effects or bottlenecks until they reach equilibrium (e.g., Ibrahim et al 1996). The Carpathian basin, including the Apuseni Mountains, often has been considered a glacial refugium and a genetic center (Botoşaneanu 1975, Deffontaine et al 2005, Sommer and Benecke 2005, Malicky 2006, Ursenbacher et al 2006, Bálint et al 2008. The refugial sources for the southeastern lineage in the more southern Retezat and the Balkans could have been in the Apuseni.…”