Weak Population Structure in European Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) and Evidence of Introgressive Hybridization with Siberian Roe Deer (C. pygargus) in Northeastern Poland

Abstract

We investigated contemporary and historical influences on the pattern of genetic diversity of European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The study was conducted in northeastern Poland, a zone where vast areas of primeval forests are conserved and where the European roe deer was never driven to extinction. A total of 319 unique samples collected in three sampling areas were genotyped at 16 microsatellites and one fragment (610 bp) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region. Genetic diversity was high, and a low degree of genetic differentiation among sampling areas was observed with both microsatellites and mtDNA. No evidence of genetic differentiation between roe deer inhabiting open fields and forested areas was found, indicating that the ability of the species to exploit these contrasting environments might be the result of its phenotypic plasticity. Half of the studied individuals carried an mtDNA haplotype that did not belong to C. capreolus, but to a related species that does not occur naturally in the area, the Siberian roe deer (C. pygargus). No differentiation between individuals with Siberian and European mtDNA haplotypes was detected at microsatellite loci. Introgression of mtDNA of Siberian roe deer into the genome of European roe deer has recently been detected in eastern Europe. Such introgression might be caused by human-mediated translocations of Siberian roe deer within the range of European roe deer or by natural hybridization between these species in the past.

Polish suture zone as the goblet of truth in post-glacial history of mammals in Europe

“…Three mtDNA lineages of European roe deer meet in south-eastern Poland and are referred to as the Central, West, and East clades ( Fig. 1b, Table 1; Matosiuk et al 2014a;Olano-Marin et al 2014). The Central and West haplogroups probably originated from the Iberian refugium, while the East clade survived the last glaciation on the Balkan Peninsula (Randi et al 2004).…”

Genomic variation across cervid species in respect to the estimation of red deer diversity

“…Through hunting, habitat degradation, domestication and translocation, humans have brought many non-native species into contact with native heterospecifi cs, leading to anthropogenically induced hybridisation that can cause signifi cant losses in the economic value of native genetic resources [5,6]. Despite the world distribution of Cervidae family half of the species are currently considered as endangered or extinct in the world [7,8].…”

Morphometrics reveal correlation between morphology and bioclimatic factors and population mixture in Tetrix japonica (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae)

“…Historical and recent events, shaped by both natural and anthropogenic factors, play an important role in the current patterns of genetic variation within species (Olano‐Marin et al., ). Human practices, such as agriculture, deforestation, the development of infrastructure, the introduction of alien species (Balkenhol & Waits, ), geographic isolation, habitat variation and food differentiation, have large effects on the dynamics of natural populations and have been widely reported in vertebrates and invertebrates (Aketarawong, Isasawin, & Thanaphum, ; Černá, Straka, & Munclinger, ; Hablutzel, Gregoir, Vanhove, Volckaert, & Raeymaekers, ; Schutze et al., ).…”