Spatial patterns of mitochondrial and nuclear gene pools in chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) from the Eastern Alps

Abstract

We have assessed the variability of maternally (mtDNA) and biparentally (allozymes) inherited genes of 443 chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) from 19 regional samples in the Eastern Alps, to estimate the degree and patterns of spatial gene pool differentiation, and their possible causes. Based on a total mtDNA-RFLP approach with 16 hexanucleotiderecognizing restriction endonucleases, we found marked substructuring of the maternal gene pool into four phylogeographic groups. A hierarchical AMOVA revealed that 67.09% of the variance was partitioned among these four mtDNAphylogroups, whereas only 8.04% were because of partitioning among regional samples within the populations, and 24.86% due to partitioning among individuals within regional samples. We interpreted this spatial pattern of mtDNA variability as a result of immigration of chamois from different Pleistocene refugia surrounding the Alps after the withdrawal of glaciers, rather than from topographic barriers to gene flow, such as Alpine valleys, extended glaciers or woodlands. However, this striking geographical structuring of the maternal genome was not paralleled by allelic variation at 33 allozyme loci, which were used as nuclear DNA markers. Wright's hierarchical F-statistics revealed that only p0.45% of the explained allozymic diversity was because of partitioning among the four mtDNA-phylogroups. We conclude that this discordance of spatial patterns of nuclear and mtDNA gene pools results from a phylogeographic background and sexspecific dispersal, with higher levels of philopatry in females.

Mitochondrial phylogeography and demographic history of the Vicuña: implications for conservation

“…However, the population history of southern vicuna appears different. The levels of diversity in vicuñ a are in general comparable with those in other montane ungulates (chamois h ¼ 0.000-0.705, p ¼ 0.000-0.1571; Schaschl et al, 2003;Mongolian sheep p ¼ 0.01-0.03;Tserenbataa et al, 2004). In comparison with other taxa, these results broadly agree with those of Sarno et al (2004) (V. v. mensalis h ¼ 0.110-0.395, p ¼ 0.002-0.002 and V. v. vicugna h ¼ 0.209-0.524, p ¼ 0.005-0.008), but when we compare the results for vicuñ a, our data show higher average levels of both haplotype and nucleotide diversity, except within Chile where the results are similar.…”

Population genetic structure of Alpine chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra) in the Italian Alps

“…Apparently, the scabiesrelated population crashes have not resulted in a distinct substructuring of the investigated gene pool. Scabies has never been reported in Italy, West of the Adige river (Berrilli et al 2002;Schaschl et al 2003).…”

“…The spatial pattern of mtDNA variability was interpreted as a result of immigration of chamois from different Pleistocene refuges surrounding the Alps after glacier withdrawal. However, the distribution of allele frequencies at nuclear markers did not result in a corresponding pattern of geographical differentiation, possibly due to sexspecific dispersal with higher levels of philopatry in females and tendency toward dispersal in males (Schaschl et al 2003).…”

“…An increasing number of investigations have been devoted to defining the phylogeographic structure of chamois populations based on allozyme and/or DNA polymorphisms (Miller and Hartl 1986;Pemberton et al 1989;Pérez et al 2002;Schaschl et al 2003;Rodriguez et al 2009). Pemberton et al (1989) demonstrated an existing gene pool divergence between the two subspecies (R. r. rupicapra and R. r. carthusiana) that was greater than divergences among local populations of Rupicapra r. rupicapra.…”

European wildcat populations are subdivided into five main biogeographic groups: consequences of Pleistocene climate changes or recent anthropogenic fragmentation?

“…The location of glacial refuge areas and the directions of postglacial dispersal routes, although in part species‐specific, are roughly congruent in brown bear ( Ursus arctos ), wolf ( Canis lupus ), red deer ( Cervus elaphus ), roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus ), wild boar ( Sus scrofa ), chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra ), and in wildcats ( Felis silvestris ) (Schaschl et al. 2003; Pilot et al. 2006; Scandura et al.…”