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Evolution of population genetic structure of the British roe deer by natural and anthropogenic processes (Capreolus capreolus).

ABSTRACT: Human influence typically impacts on natural populations of conservation interest. These interactions are varied and sometimes complex, and may be negative and unintended or associated with conservation and management strategy. Understanding the details of how these interactions influence and are influenced by natural evolutionary processes is essential to the development of effective conservation strategies. In this study, we investigate a species in Britain that has experienced both negative impact through overhunting in historical times and management efforts through culls and translocations. At the same time, there are regional populations that have been less affected by human influence. We use mtDNA and nuclear microsatellite DNA markers to investigate patterns of connectivity and diversity and find multiple insular populations in Britain that probably evolved within the Holocene (when the habitat was free of ice). We identify three concurrent processes. First, surviving indigenous populations show highly provincial patterns of philopatry, maintaining and generating population structure on a small geographic scale. Second, founder populations into habitat extirpated of native populations have expanded, but remained largely insular. Third, introductions into established populations generate some admixture. We discuss the implications for the evolution of diversity of the integration of natural processes with anthropogenic influences on population size and distribution.

SUBMITTER: Baker KH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3568846 | biostudies-other | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Sino-Vietnamese limestone karsts (SVLK) are a biodiversity hotspot rich in endemic plant species associated with caves and cave-like microhabitats. Based on phylogenetic studies of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum, a species-rich and characteristic SVLK clade, geographic isolation caused by extensive and continuous karstification was proposed as the major driving force triggering population diversification and geographic speciation. To test this proposition, population genetics and phylogeography of Begonia luzhaiensis were investigated using EST-SSR markers and the chloroplast trnC-ycf6 intergenic spacer. RESULTS:F statistics, Bayesian clustering analysis, AMOVA, and PCoA of both data sets all indicated substantial population differentiation and significant isolation by distance. Nested clade phylogeographic analyses inferred that historical fragmentations have been prominent, congruent with Guangxi's geohistory of karstification as well as suggesting a mountain chain in northeastern Guangxi could have also acted as a major geographic barrier. A Bayesian skyline plot (BSP) indicated a slight decline in effective population size at 75,000 years ago (75 Kya), coinciding with the last glacial period during which the increased aridity in East Asia had retarded karstification, negatively affecting the populations of B. luzhaiensis. However, BSP detected a continuous and further population decline until the present time even though summer monsoons have resumed since the end of the last glacial maximum. CONCLUSIONS:The microevolution patterns of B. luzhaiensis support that limited gene flow would have greatly enhanced the effects of random genetic drift and has been a major factor promoting diversification in Begonia, highly congruent with previous proposition. Based our study, we further propose that the arrival of Paleolithic Homo sapiens whose activities centered around limestone caves could have had further impacts on the populations of B. luzhaiensis, resulting in additional population decline. Further habitat destruction could have resulted from the transition from hunter gathering to food-producing societies ca. 20-10 Kya and the development of agriculture ca. 10 Kya in South China. Implications of the current study for SVLK plant conservation are also discussed.

Dataset Information

Evolution of population genetic structure of the British roe deer by natural and anthropogenic processes (Capreolus capreolus).

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