Rangewide phylogeography in the greater horseshoe bat inferred from microsatellites: implications for population history, taxonomy and conservation

Abstract

The distribution of genetic variability across a species' range can provide valuable insights into colonization history. To assess the relative importance of European and Asian refugia in shaping current levels of genetic variation in the greater horseshoe bats, we applied a microsatellite-based approach to data collected from 56 localities ranging from the UK to Japan. A decline in allelic richness from west Asia to the UK and analyses of F(ST) both imply a northwestward colonization across Europe. However, sharp discontinuities in gene frequencies within Europe and between the Balkans and west Asia (Syria/Russia) are consistent with suture zones following expansion from multiple refugia, and a lack of recent gene flow from Asia Minor. Together, these results suggest European populations originated from west Asia in the ancient past, and experienced a more recent range expansion since the Last Glacial Maximum. Current populations in central Europe appear to originate from the Balkans and those from west Europe from either Iberia and/or Italy. Comparisons of R(ST )and F(ST) suggest that stepwise mutation has contributed to differentiation between island and continental populations (France/UK and China/Japan) and also among distant samples. However, pairwise R(ST) values between distant populations appear to be unreliable, probably due to size homoplasy. Our findings also highlight two priorities for conservation. First, stronger genetic subdivision within the UK than across 4000 km of continental Eurasia is most likely the result of population fragmentation and highlights the need to maintain gene flow in this species. Second, deep splits within China and between Europe and China are indicative of cryptic taxonomic divisions which need further investigation.

Phylogeography of einkorn landraces in the Mediterranean basin and Central Europe: population structure and cultivation history

“…The geographical distribution of the present genetic diversity within a species can be informative about the historical processes that shaped that diversity (Rossiter et al 2007). This phylogeographical approach has been applied to other crop species such as cassava (Olsen and Schaal 1999), rice (Londo et al 2006), barley (Jones et al 2008;Saisho and Purugganan 2007) and emmer (Brown et al 2006) and durum wheats (Moragues et al 2007).…”

Roost Use, Ranging Behavior, and Diet of Greater Horseshoe Bats (Rhinolophus Ferrumequinum) Using a Transitional Roost

“…Although considered as ''not threatened'' across its natural range (Anonymous 1995;Hutson 1993), populations of R. ferrumequinum have declined significantly throughout northern Europe over the last 100 years (Hutson 2001) and the species is listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources 2007). Several populations in Asia appear to be distinct operational taxonomic units, and some populations may even deserve elevation to species status (Flanders et al 2009;Rossiter et al 2007). Hence, the risks to western populations, already known to be in decline, may have been underestimated because of the assumption that greater horseshoe bats occupy a wide geographic range that might render them less at risk.…”

“…Since radiotransmitters have been made small enough to allow radiotracking, studies (mainly at maternity colonies) have examined the ranging and foraging patterns of R. ferrumequinum (Bontadina 2002;Duvergé 1996;Duvergé andJones 1994, 2003;Jones et al 1995;Jones and Morton 1992;Stebbings 1982). More recently, studies have examined genetic variation and population structure (Rossiter et al 2000a(Rossiter et al , 2007, including the effects of inbreeding (Rossiter et al 2001) and mate choice (Rossiter et al 2005). …”

Evidence for Two Karyotypic Variants of the Lesser Horseshoe Bat (<b><i>Rhinolophus hipposideros</i></b>, Chiroptera, Mammalia) in Central Europe

“…With regard to R. hipposideros , the proposed postglacial recolonization routes of the greater horseshoe bat from multiple refugia in the south to Central and West Europe are of particular interest. Analysis of polymorphic microsatellite loci throughout the distributional range of R. ferrumequinum led to the assumption that exchanges between Asia Minor and Europe may have been blocked by the Marmara Sea [Rossiter et al, 2007]. For R. hipposideros this may also apply as the 2n = 58 variant is found to the east [Zima, 2004] and the 2n = 56 variant to the west of the Bosphorus strait.…”