Dispersal patterns and population structure in a small marsupial, Antechinus agilis, from two forests analysed using microsatellite markers

2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 325 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. L. Kraaijeveld-Smit ◽  
D. B. Lindenmayer ◽  
A. C. Taylor

Juvenile male agile antechinus (Antechinus agilis) are thought to disperse immediately after they leave the nest, whereas females are philopatric. However, no genetic data are available to support a hypothesis of male-biased dispersal, and the possible effects of habitat characteristics on dispersal are not known. We used five microsatellite loci to describe the dispersal patterns and population structure of A. agilis at two different forested sites (Mt Donna Buang and Mt Disappointment in central Victoria, south-eastern Australia). Within each site, DNA samples were collected from individuals from different trapping grids (four grids in Mt Donna Buang, collected over two years, and seven grids at Mt Disappointment, collected over one year). To assess levels of genetic structuring among the populations, Fst values (the proportion of genetic variance among populations) were calculated for each site and sex separately, and a test for isolation by distance was performed. Overall, Fst values were low, and did not increase with distance, and this may be the result of high levels of gene flow for both sexes at both sites, at least on the scale of less than 10 km. To investigate microsatellite patterns at a finer scale, we calculated pair-wise relatedness values separately for sites, years and sexes. By comparing these values for animals within and between grids, evidence was found for male-biased dispersal. A genetic assignment test provided further evidence for this: males were more likely to be assigned to grids other than their capture site. Most females had high assignment values for their capture site, although some of the females may have been immigrants. This result could be due to inaccuracies in the assignment test, or due to a higher frequency of dispersal of females than previously thought. The sex-biased dispersal was less pronounced at Mt Disappointment than at Mt Donna Buang. This may be related to the level of disturbance: logging patches, roads and fire-breaks (grass strips) disrupt the forest at Mt Disappointment more than at Mt Donna Buang.

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Rakeb-Ul Islam ◽  
Daniel J Schmidt ◽  
David A Crook ◽  
Jane M Hughes

Freshwater fishes often exhibit high genetic population structure due to the prevalence of dispersal barriers (e.g., waterfalls) whereas population structure in diadromous fishes tends to be weaker and driven by natal homing behaviour and/or isolation by distance. The Australian smelt (Retropinninae: Retropinna semoni) is a facultatively diadromous fish with a broad distribution spanning inland and coastal drainages of south-eastern Australia. Previous studies have demonstrated variability in population genetic structure and movement behaviour (potamodromy, facultative diadromy, estuarine residence) across the southern part of its geographic range. Some of this variability may be explained by the existence of multiple cryptic species. Here, we examined genetic structure of populations at the northern extent of the species’ distribution, using ten microsatellite loci and sequences of the mitochondrial cyt b gene. We tested the hypothesis that connectivity among rivers should be low due to a lack of dispersal via the marine environment, but high within rivers due to potamodromous behaviour. We investigated populations corresponding with two putative cryptic species, the South East Queensland (SEQ), and Central East Queensland (CEQ) lineages. In agreement with our hypothesis, highly significant overall FST values suggested that both groups exhibit very low dispersal among rivers (SEQ FST = 0.13; CEQ FST = 0.30). The two putative cryptic species, formed monophyletic clades in the mtDNA gene tree and among river phylogeographic structure was also evident within clades. Microsatellite data indicated that connectivity among sites within rivers was also limited, suggesting potamodromous behaviour does not homogenise populations at the within-river scale. Overall, northern groups in the smelt cryptic species exhibit higher among-river population structure and smaller geographic ranges than southern groups. These properties make northern Australian smelt populations potentially susceptible to future conservation threats, and we define eight genetically distinct management units to guide future conservation management.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Rakeb-Ul Islam ◽  
Daniel J Schmidt ◽  
David A Crook ◽  
Jane M Hughes

Freshwater fishes often exhibit high genetic population structure due to the prevalence of dispersal barriers (e.g., waterfalls) whereas population structure in diadromous fishes tends to be weaker and driven by natal homing behaviour and/or isolation by distance. The Australian smelt (Retropinninae: Retropinna semoni) is a facultatively diadromous fish with a broad distribution spanning inland and coastal drainages of south-eastern Australia. Previous studies have demonstrated variability in population genetic structure and movement behaviour (potamodromy, facultative diadromy, estuarine residence) across the southern part of its geographic range. Some of this variability may be explained by the existence of multiple cryptic species. Here, we examined genetic structure of populations at the northern extent of the species’ distribution, using ten microsatellite loci and sequences of the mitochondrial cyt b gene. We tested the hypothesis that connectivity among rivers should be low due to a lack of dispersal via the marine environment, but high within rivers due to potamodromous behaviour. We investigated populations corresponding with two putative cryptic species, the South East Queensland (SEQ), and Central East Queensland (CEQ) lineages. In agreement with our hypothesis, highly significant overall FST values suggested that both groups exhibit very low dispersal among rivers (SEQ FST = 0.13; CEQ FST = 0.30). The two putative cryptic species, formed monophyletic clades in the mtDNA gene tree and among river phylogeographic structure was also evident within clades. Microsatellite data indicated that connectivity among sites within rivers was also limited, suggesting potamodromous behaviour does not homogenise populations at the within-river scale. Overall, northern groups in the smelt cryptic species exhibit higher among-river population structure and smaller geographic ranges than southern groups. These properties make northern Australian smelt populations potentially susceptible to future conservation threats, and we define eight genetically distinct management units to guide future conservation management.


2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (12) ◽  
pp. 901-907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit Talbot ◽  
Maarten J. Vonhof ◽  
Hugh G. Broders ◽  
M. Brock Fenton ◽  
Nusha Keyghobadi

Subdivided populations can be described by different models of population structure that reflect population organization, dynamics, and connectivity. We used genetic data to investigate population structure in two geographically sympatric, congeneric species of generalist ectoparasites of warm-blooded animals. We characterized the spatial genetic structure of the eastern bat bug (Cimex adjunctus Barber, 1939), an understudied and fairly abundant species, using microsatellite markers at a spatial scale representing contemporary dispersal of the species. We found seven genetic clusters, global [Formula: see text] of 0.2, 33% of genetic variation among sites, and nonsignificant isolation-by-distance. We compared these results with the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius L., 1758), a closely related but conversely well-known species, in the same geographic area. We found stronger genetic structuring in C. lectularius than in C. adjunctus, with 11 genetic clusters, [Formula: see text] of 0.7, 57% of genetic variation among sites, and significant but weak isolation-by-distance (R2 = 0.09). These results suggest that while both species can be described as having classic metapopulation structure, C. adjunctus leans more towards a patchy population and C. lectularius leans more towards a nonequilibrium metapopulation. The difference in population structure between these species may be attributable to differences in movement potential and extinction–colonization dynamics.


Author(s):  
Paul R Berg ◽  
Per E Jorde ◽  
Kevin A Glover ◽  
Geir Dahle ◽  
John B Taggart ◽  
...  

Abstract The advent of novel genetic methods has made it possible to investigate population structure and connectivity in mobile marine fish species: knowledge of which is essential to ensure a sustainable fishery. Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) is a highly exploited marine teleost distributed along the coast and continental shelf on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean. However, little is known about its population structure. Here, we present the first study using single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to assess the genetic population structure of haddock at multiple geographic scales, from the trans-Atlantic to the local (fjord) level. Genotyping 138 SNP loci in 1329 individuals from 19 locations across the North Atlantic revealed three main genetic clusters, consisting of a Northwest Atlantic cluster, a Northeast Arctic cluster, and a Northeast Atlantic cluster. We also observed a genetically distinct fjord population and a pattern of isolation by distance in the Northeast Atlantic. Our results contrast with the current management regime for this species in the Northeast Atlantic, as we found structure within some management areas. The study adds to the growing recognition of population structuring in marine organisms in general, and fishes in particular, and is of clear relevance for the management of haddock in the Northeast Atlantic.


2013 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda E. Neaves ◽  
Kyall R. Zenger ◽  
Robert I. T. Prince ◽  
Mark D. B. Eldridge

There are several aspects of biology in which the contribution of males and females is unequal. In these instances the examination of Y chromosome markers may be used to elucidate male-specific attributes. Here, male dispersal patterns and genetic structuring were examined using four Y-microsatellite loci in 186 male western grey kangaroos, Macropus fuliginosus, from throughout the species’ trans-continental distribution. In addition, 52 male grey kangaroos were examined to investigate hybridisation between M. fuliginosus and the eastern grey kangaroo, Macropus giganteus, in their region of sympatry in eastern Australia. Detected Y chromosome diversity was low, resulting from low effective male population size due to skewed sex ratios and a polygynous mating system. As expected, male dispersal was high across the range. However, the Lake Torrens–Flinders Ranges region appears to have significantly restricted male movement between eastern and central/western Australia. There was little evidence to suggest that other barriers (Nullarbor Plain and Swan River Valley) previously identified by nuclear and mitochondrial DNA marker studies restrict male movement. Hence, the admixture events previously identified may be associated with high male dispersal. Within the region of sympatry between M. fuliginosus and M. giganteus in eastern Australia, four M. giganteus individuals were found to possess M. fuliginosus Y-haplotypes. These results confirm the occurrence of hybridisation between male M. fuliginosus and female M. giganteus. Additionally, the introgression of M. fuliginosus Y-haplotypes into M. giganteus populations indicates that at least some male hybrids are fertile, despite evidence to the contrary from captive studies. This study has provided insights into the male contribution to population history, structure and hybridisation in M. fuliginosus, which were not predicted by comparisons between biparentally and maternally inherited markers. This highlights the importance of direct examination of the Y chromosome to provide novel insights into male-mediated processes, especially where the contribution of the sexes may differ.


PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Rakeb-Ul Islam ◽  
Daniel J. Schmidt ◽  
David A. Crook ◽  
Jane M. Hughes

Freshwater fishes often exhibit high genetic population structure due to the prevalence of dispersal barriers (e.g., waterfalls) whereas population structure in diadromous fishes tends to be weaker and driven by natal homing behaviour and/or isolation by distance. The Australian smelt (Retropinnidae:Retropinna semoni) is a native fish with a broad distribution spanning inland and coastal drainages of south-eastern Australia. Previous studies have demonstrated variability in population genetic structure and movement behaviour (potamodromy, facultative diadromy, estuarine residence) across the southern part of its geographic range. Some of this variability may be explained by the existence of multiple cryptic species. Here, we examined genetic structure of populations towards the northern extent of the species’ distribution, using ten microsatellite loci and sequences of the mitochondrial cytbgene. We tested the hypothesis that genetic connectivity among rivers should be low due to a lack of dispersal via the marine environment, but high within rivers due to dispersal. We investigated populations corresponding with two putative cryptic species, SEQ-North (SEQ-N), and SEQ-South (SEQ-S) lineages occurring in south east Queensland drainages. These two groups formed monophyletic clades in the mtDNA gene tree and among river phylogeographic structure was also evident within each clade. In agreement with our hypothesis, highly significant overallFSTvalues suggested that both groups exhibit very low dispersal among rivers (SEQ-SFST= 0.13; SEQ-NFST= 0.27). Microsatellite data indicated that connectivity among sites within rivers was also limited, suggesting dispersal may not homogenise populations at the within-river scale. Northern groups in the Australian smelt cryptic species complex exhibit comparatively higher among-river population structure and smaller geographic ranges than southern groups. These properties make northern Australian smelt populations potentially susceptible to future conservation threats, and we define eight genetically distinct management units along south east Queensland to guide future conservation management. The present findings at least can assist managers to plan for effective conservation and management of different fish species along coastal drainages of south east Queensland, Australia.


2013 ◽  
Vol 103 (4) ◽  
pp. 414-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marana Park ◽  
Kyung-Seok Kim ◽  
Joon-Ho Lee

AbstractLycorma delicatula (White) was identified in 2004 as an invasive pest in South Korea, where it causes serious damage to vineyard crops. To investigate the population structure and dispersal pattern of L. delicatula in South Korea, we estimated the population genetic structure and gene flow among nine locations across the country using seven microsatellite markers. Although L. delicatula spread throughout most of its geographical range in South Korea within 5–7 years following invasion, its populations show evidence of genetic structuring across the range with a low but significant global FST (genetic differentiation across all populations) of 0.0474. Bayesian-based clustering analysis indicates the presence of at least three genetically unique populations in South Korea, including populations in northeastern South Korea, which show a distinct genetic background. However, isolation by distance suggests that populations in South Korea have not yet reached genetic equilibrium. Estimates of the historical rate of gene flow (Nem) indicate that relatively high rates of flow have been maintained among populations within the western region, which may indicate recent range expansion. A population assignment test using the first-generation migrant detection method suggested that long-distance dispersal of L. delicatula may have occurred over large areas of South Korea. More complex dispersal patterns may have occurred during L. delicatula invasion of heterogeneous landscapes in South Korea.


2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (7) ◽  
pp. 627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtenay E. Mills ◽  
Wade L. Hadwen ◽  
Jane M. Hughes

Through the use of mitochondrial DNA (ATP8 gene), the prediction of intermediate genetic structuring was investigated in two species of estuarine glassfish (Ambassis marianus and Ambassis jacksoniensis) (Perciformes : Ambassidae) to determine the possibility of a generalised ‘estuarine’ genetic structure. Individuals were collected from estuaries in eastern Australia between Tin Can Bay (Queensland) in the north and Kempsey (New South Wales) in the south. Analysis of the haplotype frequencies found in this region suggested panmictic populations with star-like phylogenies with extremely high levels of genetic diversity, but with no correlation between geographic distance and genetic distance. Non-significant FST and ΦST suggested extensive dispersal among estuaries. However, Tajima’s D and Fu’s FS values suggest ‘mutation–genetic drift equilibrium’ has not been reached, and that population expansions occurring 262 000 (A. marianus) and 300 000 (A. jacksoniensis) years ago may obscure any phylogeographic structuring or isolation by distance. The finding of panmixia was contrary to the prediction of genetic structuring intermediate between that of marine fish (shallowly structured) and freshwater fish (highly structured), suggesting high dispersal capabilities in these species.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maysa Tiemi Motoki ◽  
Dina Madera Fonseca ◽  
Elliott Frederic Miot ◽  
Bruna Demari-Silva ◽  
Phoutmany Thammavong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) is an important worldwide invasive species and can be a locally important vector of chikungunya, dengue and, potentially, Zika. This species is native to Southeast Asia where populations thrive in both temperate and tropical climates. A better understanding of the population structure of Ae. albopictus in Lao PDR is very important in order to support the implementation of strategies for diseases prevention and vector control. In the present study, we investigated the genetic variability of Ae. albopictus across a north-south transect in Lao PDR. Methods We used variability in a 1337-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1), to assess the population structure of Ae. albopictus in Lao PDR. For context, we also examined variability at the same genetic locus in samples of Ae. albopictus from Thailand, China, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Italy and the USA. Results We observed very high levels of genetic polymorphism with 46 novel haplotypes in Ae. albopictus from 9 localities in Lao PDR and Thailand populations. Significant differences were observed between the Luangnamtha population and other locations in Lao PDR. However, we found no evidence of isolation by distance. There was overall little genetic structure indicating ongoing and frequent gene flow among populations or a recent population expansion. Indeed, the neutrality test supported population expansion in Laotian Ae. albopictus and mismatch distribution analyses showed a lack of low frequency alleles, a pattern often seen in bottlenecked populations. When samples from Lao PDR were analyzed together with samples from Thailand, China, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Italy and the USA, phylogenetic network and Bayesian cluster analysis showed that most populations from tropical/subtropical regions are more genetically related to each other, than populations from temperate regions. Similarly, most populations from temperate regions are more genetically related to each other, than those from tropical/subtropical regions. Conclusions Aedes albopictus in Lao PDR are genetically related to populations from tropical/subtropical regions (i.e. Thailand, Singapore, and California and Texas in the USA). The extensive gene flow among locations in Lao PDR indicates that local control is undermined by repeated introductions from untreated sites.


Hydrobiologia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruben Alexander Pettersen ◽  
Claudia Junge ◽  
Kjartan Østbye ◽  
Tor Atle Mo ◽  
Leif Asbjørn Vøllestad

Abstract Understanding how populations are structured in space and time is a central question in evolutionary biology. Parasites and their hosts are assumed to evolve together, however, detailed understanding of mechanisms leading to genetic structuring of parasites and their hosts are lacking. As a parasite depends on its host, studying the genetic structure of both parasite and host can reveal important insights into these mechanisms. Here, genetic structure of the monogenean parasite Gyrodactylus thymalli and its host the European grayling (Thymallus thymallus) was investigated in 10 tributaries draining into the large Lake Mjøsa in Norway. The population genetic structure of spawning grayling was studied using microsatellite genotyping, while G. thymalli was studied by sequencing a mitochondrial DNA gene (dehydrogenase subunit 5). Two main genetic clusters were revealed in grayling, one cluster comprising grayling from the largest spawning population, while the remaining tributaries formed the second cluster. For both taxa, some genetic differentiation was observed among tributaries, but there was no clear isolation-by-distance signature. The structuring was stronger for the host than for the parasite. These results imply that moderate to high levels of gene flow occur among the sub-populations of both taxa. The high parasite exchange among tributaries could result from a lack of strong homing behavior in grayling as well as interactions among individual fish outside of the spawning season, leading to frequent mixing of both host and parasite.


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