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The European Ground Squirrel’s Genetic Diversity in Its Ancestral Land: Landscape Insights and Conservation Implications. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15030365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
The European ground squirrel is an endangered rodent whose populations are declining throughout its range. Only in Bulgaria, the genetic hotspot of the species, are some abundant populations still present. We employed 12 microsatellite loci in ten Bulgarian populations to look at population structure, gene flow and recent bottlenecks. We found that the populations are in good condition in terms of heterozygosity, where values ranged from 0.55 to 0.78. However, the inbreeding index (FIS) was significant for most populations. A recent bottleneck was detected in only one population. Based on Bayesian clustering methods, the populations in Bulgaria were attributed to two groups, northern and southern, with admixture in the northern one. The AMOVA test between these groups showed no differentiation in genetic diversity. The mean value of FST was 0.184, which shows strong diversification among all populations. Hence, gene flow is probably limited. All these results indicate that Bulgaria is the main area to focus the efforts for conservation of the species by ensuring that the complex and rich genetic structure of Bulgarian populations is preserved.
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Detection of spatial avoidance between sousliks and moles by combining field observations, remote sensing and deep learning techniques. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8264. [PMID: 35585229 PMCID: PMC9117191 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12405-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, remote sensing is being increasingly applied in ecology and conservation, and even underground animals can successfully be studied if they leave clear signs of their presence in the environment. In this work, by combining a field study, analysis of high-resolution aerial images, and machine learning techniques, we investigated the interspecies relationships of two small burrowing mammals: the spotted souslik Spermophilus suslicus and the European mole Talpa europaea. The study was conducted for 3 years (2018–2020) at a 105-ha grass airfield where both species coexist (Poland). Both field studies and the analysis of aerial imagery showed that, in the period of low population numbers, the souslik avoided coexistence with the European mole, and the presence of the mole was found to reduce the area of the habitat suitable for the souslik. The presence of other burrowing species may be an important element in the habitat selectivity of the souslik, but this has not yet been included in the conservation guidelines for this species. We discuss the contribution of our results to the knowledge of the ecology of burrowing mammals and their interspecies relationships. We also assess the possibility of using remote sensing and deep learning methods in ecology and conservation of small burrowing mammals.
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Łopucki R, Mróz I, Nowak-Życzyńska Z, Perlińska-Teresiak M, Owadowska-Cornil E, Klich D. Genetic Structure of the Root Vole Microtus oeconomus: Resistance of the Habitat Specialist to the Natural Fragmentation of Preferred Moist Habitats. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13030434. [PMID: 35327989 PMCID: PMC8954809 DOI: 10.3390/genes13030434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate-related changes have a severe impact on wetland ecosystems and pose a serious challenge for wetland-dependent animals as their preferred habitats decline, lose spatial continuity, and appear as isolated islands in the landscape. In this paper, we studied the effects of long-term habitat changes (drying out and fragmentation of wet non-forest habitats) on the genetic structure of the population of the root vole Microtus oeconomus, a species preferring moist habitats. We intended to check what barriers and what distances affected its genetic isolation on a local scale. The study was conducted in the area of Kampinoski National Park in central Poland (Europe). DNA variability of 218 root vole individuals was assessed by genotyping nine microsatellite loci. Despite its spatial fragmentation, the studied population did not seem to be highly structured, and isolation through distance was the main differentiating factor. Even a distance of several kilometres of unfavourable natural habitats and unfavourable terrain did not exclude the exchange of genes between subpopulations. Our results suggest that the genetic effects of the fragmentation of wetlands have been considerably compensated (delayed) due to the migratory abilities of this species. Our study does not provide clear results on the impact of anthropogenic barriers but suggests that such barriers may have a much stronger effect than natural barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Łopucki
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1J, 20-708 Lublin, Poland;
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (Z.N.-Ż.); (M.P.-T.)
| | - Iwona Mróz
- The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Zuzanna Nowak-Życzyńska
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (Z.N.-Ż.); (M.P.-T.)
| | - Magdalena Perlińska-Teresiak
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (Z.N.-Ż.); (M.P.-T.)
| | - Edyta Owadowska-Cornil
- Science and Nature Monitoring Department, Kampinoski National Park, Tetmajera 38, 05-080 Izabelin, Poland;
| | - Daniel Klich
- Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland; (Z.N.-Ż.); (M.P.-T.)
- Correspondence:
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Matrosova VA, Rusin MY, Volodina EV, Proyavka SV, Savinetskaya LE, Shekarova ON, Rashevska HV, Volodin IA. Genetic and alarm call diversity across scattered populations of speckled ground squirrels (Spermophilus suslicus). Mamm Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Herdegen M, Radwan J, Sobczynska U, Dabert M, Konjević D, Schlichter J, Jurczyszyn M. Population structure of edible dormouse in Poland: the role of habitat fragmentation and implications for conservation. J Zool (1987) 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Herdegen
- Institute of Environmental Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań Poland
| | - J. Radwan
- Institute of Environmental Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań Poland
| | - U. Sobczynska
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - M. Dabert
- Molecular Biology Techniques Laboratory Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poland
| | - D. Konjević
- Department of Veterinary Economics and Epidemiology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb Zagreb Republic of Croatia
| | - J. Schlichter
- Öko‐log Freilandforschung Heiko Müller‐Stieß Trippstadt Germany
| | - M. Jurczyszyn
- Institute of Environmental Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań Poland
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Kajtoch Ł, Mazur M, Kubisz D, Mazur MA, Babik W. Low effective population sizes and limited connectivity in xerothermic beetles: implications for the conservation of an endangered habitat. Anim Conserv 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ł. Kajtoch
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals; Polish Academy of Science; Cracow Poland
| | - M. Mazur
- Institute of Biology; Pedagogical University; Cracow Poland
| | - D. Kubisz
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals; Polish Academy of Science; Cracow Poland
| | - M. A. Mazur
- Center for Biodiversity Studies; Department of Biosystematics; Opole University; Opole Poland
| | - W. Babik
- Institute of Environmental Sciences; Jagiellonian University; Cracow Poland
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Wang S, Zhu W, Gao X, Li X, Yan S, Liu X, Yang J, Gao Z, Li Y. Population size and time since island isolation determine genetic diversity loss in insular frog populations. Mol Ecol 2014; 23:637-48. [PMID: 24351057 DOI: 10.1111/mec.12634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2013] [Revised: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Supen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology; Institute of Zoology; The Chinese Academy of Sciences; 1 Datun Beichen West Road Chaoyang Beijing 100101 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; 19 Yuquan Road Shijingshan Beijing 100049 China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology; Institute of Zoology; The Chinese Academy of Sciences; 1 Datun Beichen West Road Chaoyang Beijing 100101 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; 19 Yuquan Road Shijingshan Beijing 100049 China
| | - Xu Gao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology; Institute of Zoology; The Chinese Academy of Sciences; 1 Datun Beichen West Road Chaoyang Beijing 100101 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; 19 Yuquan Road Shijingshan Beijing 100049 China
| | - Xianping Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology; Institute of Zoology; The Chinese Academy of Sciences; 1 Datun Beichen West Road Chaoyang Beijing 100101 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; 19 Yuquan Road Shijingshan Beijing 100049 China
| | - Shaofei Yan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology; Institute of Zoology; The Chinese Academy of Sciences; 1 Datun Beichen West Road Chaoyang Beijing 100101 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences; 19 Yuquan Road Shijingshan Beijing 100049 China
| | - Xuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology; Institute of Zoology; The Chinese Academy of Sciences; 1 Datun Beichen West Road Chaoyang Beijing 100101 China
| | - Ji Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology; Institute of Zoology; The Chinese Academy of Sciences; 1 Datun Beichen West Road Chaoyang Beijing 100101 China
| | - Zengxiang Gao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering; Ocean University of China; 5 Yushan Road Lao Shan Qingdao 266003 China
| | - Yiming Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology; Institute of Zoology; The Chinese Academy of Sciences; 1 Datun Beichen West Road Chaoyang Beijing 100101 China
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Matějů J, Říčanová Š, Poláková S, Ambros M, Kala B, Matějů K, Kratochvíl L. Method of releasing and number of animals are determinants for the success of European ground squirrel (Spermophilus citellus) reintroductions. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-011-0597-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Ben Slimen H, Gedeon CI, Hoffmann IE, Suchentrunk F. Dwindling genetic diversity in European ground squirrels? Mamm Biol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2011.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Biedrzycka A, Kloch A, Buczek M, Radwan J. Major histocompatibility complex DRB genes and blood parasite loads in fragmented populations of the spotted suslik Spermophilus suslicus. Mamm Biol 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2011.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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La Haye MJJ, Neumann K, Koelewijn HP. Strong decline of gene diversity in local populations of the highly endangered Common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) in the western part of its European range. CONSERV GENET 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-011-0278-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Sutton JT, Nakagawa S, Robertson BC, Jamieson IG. Disentangling the roles of natural selection and genetic drift in shaping variation at MHC immunity genes. Mol Ecol 2011; 20:4408-20. [PMID: 21981032 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2011.05292.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jolene T Sutton
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
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Górecki MT, Juszkiewicz A, Graclik A, Kala B. Exposure to humans and activity pattern of European souslik (Spermophilus citellus) in zoo conditions. Zoo Biol 2011; 31:249-54. [DOI: 10.1002/zoo.20412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2010] [Revised: 06/17/2011] [Accepted: 06/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Tadeusz Górecki
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
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BIEDRZYCKA ALEKSANDRA, RADWAN JACEK. Population fragmentation and major histocompatibility complex variation in the spotted suslik,Spermophilus suslicus. Mol Ecol 2008; 17:4801-11. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2008.03955.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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