PHENOTYPIC DIFFERENTIATION AT SOUTHERN LIMIT BORDERS: THE CASE STUDY OF TWO FUCOID MACROALGAL SPECIES WITH DIFFERENT LIFE‐HISTORY TRAITS1

Marginal populations are often geographically isolated, smaller, and more fragmented than central populations and may frequently have to face suboptimal local environmental conditions. Persistence of these populations frequently involves the development of adaptive traits at phenotypic and genetic levels. We compared population structure and demographic variables in two fucoid macroalgal species contrasting in patterns of genetic diversity and phenotypic plasticity at their southern distribution limit with a more central location. Models were Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jol. (whose extreme longevity and generation overlap may buffer genetic loss by drift) and Fucus serratus L. (with low genetic diversity at southern margins). At edge locations, both species exhibited trends in life‐history traits compatible with population persistence but by using different mechanisms. Marginal populations of A. nodosum had higher reproductive output in spite of similar mortality rates at all life stages, making edge populations denser and with smaller individuals. In F. serratus, rather than demographic changes, marginal populations differed in habitat, occurring restricted to a narrower vertical habitat range. We conclude that persistence of both A. nodosum and F. serratus at the southern‐edge locations depends on different strategies. Marginal population persistence in A. nodosum relies on a differentiation in life‐history traits, whereas F. serratus, putatively poorer in evolvability potential, is restricted to a narrower vertical range at border locations. These results contribute to the general understanding of mechanisms that lead to population persistence at distributional limits and to predict population resilience under a scenario of environmental change.     

Population structure,population history and DNA barcoding of fruit fly Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae)

The fruit fly Bactrocera latifrons (Hendel) is an important pest of commercially significant plants such as chili, tomato and eggplant. The species is native to South and Southeast Asia, but has now invaded Japan, Hawaii and Africa. In this study, mitochondrial DNA sequences were used to infer genetic structure and demographic history of B. latifrons. The efficiency of DNA barcodes for identification of B. latifrons was also tested. Ninety‐three specimens infesting four host‐plant species were obtained from 11 sampling locations in Thailand. The mitochondrial haplotype network revealed no major divergent lineage, which was consistent with a phylogenetic analysis that found strong support for the monophyly of B. latifrons. Population pairwise F_ST revealed that most (65%) comparisons were not significantly different, suggesting a high rate of gene flow. Analysis of molecular variance (amova ) found no significant genetic differentiation among populations from different host‐plant species. Sharing of several haplotypes among flies from different host‐plants indicates that the flies were moved freely across the plant species. Demographic history analysis revealed that the population has undergone recent expansion dating back to the end of the last glaciation. Thus, the results indicate that both ongoing and historical factors have played important roles in determining the genetic structure and diversity of B. latifrons. DNA barcoding analysis revealed that B. latifrons specimens were clearly differentiated from other species with 100% correct identification. Therefore, cytochrome oxidase I (COI) barcoding sequences could be effectively used to identify this important pest species, which could encourage monitoring and control efforts for this species.     

Population genetic structure and demographic history of the lone star tick,Amblyomma americanum (Ixodida: Ixodidae): New evidence supporting old records

Range expansions are a potential outcome of changes in habitat suitability, which commonly result as a consequence of climate change. Hypotheses on such changes in the geographic distribution of a certain species can be evaluated using population genetic structure and demography. In this study we explore the population genetic structure, genetic variability, demographic history of, and habitat suitability for Amblyomma americanum, a North American tick species that is a known vector of several pathogenic microorganisms. We used a double digestion restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing technique (dd‐RAD seq) and discovered 8,181 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 189 ticks from across the geographic range of the species. Genetic diversity was low, particularly when considering the broad geographic range of this species. The edge populations were less diverse than populations belonging to the historic range, possibly indicative of a range expansion, but this hypothesis was not statistically supported by a test based on genetic data. Nonetheless, moderate levels of population structure and substructure were detected between geographic regions. For New England, demographic and species distribution models support a scenario where A. americanum was present in more northern locations in the past, underwent a bottleneck, and subsequently recovered. These results are consistent with a hypothesis that this species is re‐establishing in this area, rather than one focused on range expansion from the south. This hypothesis is consistent with old records describing the presence of A. americanum in the northeastern US in the early colonial period.     

Contrasting patterns of population structure and demographic history in cryptic species of Bostrychia intricata (Rhodomelaceae,Rhodophyta) from New Zealand

Spatial patterns of genetic diversity provide insight into the demography and history of species. Morphologically similar but genetically distinct “cryptic” species are increasingly being recognized in marine organisms through molecular analyses. Such species are, on closer inspection, often discovered to display contrasting life histories or occasionally minor morphological differences; molecular tools can thus be useful indicators of diversity. Bostrychia intricata, a marine red alga, is widely distributed throughout the Southern Hemisphere and comprises many cryptic species. We used mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene sequences to assess the genetic variation, population genetic structure, and demographic history of B. intricata in New Zealand. Our results supported the existence of three cryptic species of B. intricata (N2, N4, and N5) in New Zealand. Cryptic species N4, which was found throughout New Zealand, showed a higher genetic diversity and wider distribution than the other two species, which were only found in the North Island and northern South Island. Our analyses showed low to moderate genetic differentiation among eastern North Island populations for cryptic species N2, but high differentiation among North and South Island populations for N4, suggesting different population structure between these cryptic species. Data also indicated that N2 has recently undergone population expansion, probably since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), while the higher genetic diversity in N4 populations suggests persistence in situ through the LGM. The contrasting population structures and inferred demographic histories of these species highlight that life history can vary greatly even among morphologically indistinguishable taxa.     

Population genetic structure of the point-head flounder, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cleisthenes herzensteini</Emphasis>, in the Northwestern Pacific

Intraspecific phylogenies can provide useful insights into how populations have been shaped by historical and contemporary processes. To determine the population genetic structure and the demographic and colonization history of Cleisthenes herzensteini in the Northwestern Pacific, one hundred and twenty-one individuals were sampled from six localities along the coastal regions of Japan and the Yellow Sea of China. Mitochondrial DNA variation was analyzed using DNA sequence data from the 5′ end of control region. High levels of haplotype diversity (>0.96) were found for all populations, indicating a high level of genetic diversity. No pattern of isolation by distance was detected among the population differentiation throughout the examined range. Analyses of molecular variance (AMOVA) and the conventional population statistic Fst revealed no significant population genetic structure among populations. According to the exact test of differentiation among populations, the null hypothesis that C. herzensteini within the examined range constituted a non-differential mtDNA gene pool was accepted. The demographic history of C. herzensteini was examined using neutrality test and mismatch distribution analyses and results indicated Pleistocene population expansion (about 94–376 kya) in the species, which was consistent with the inference result of nested clade phylogeographical analysis (NCPA) showing contiguous range expansion for C. herzensteini. The lack of phylogeographical structure for the species may reflect a recent range expansion after the glacial maximum and insufficient time to attain migration-drift equilibrium.     

Historical demographic profiles and genetic variation of the East African Butana and Kenana indigenous dairy zebu cattle

Butana and Kenana breeds from Sudan are part of the East African zebu Bos indicus type of cattle. Unlike other indigenous zebu cattle in Africa, they are unique due to their reputation for high milk production and are regarded as dairy cattle, the only ones of their kind on the African continent. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D‐loop of 70 animals to understand the maternal genetic variation, demographic profiles and history of the two breeds in relation to the history of cattle pastoralism on the African continent. Only taurine mtDNA sequences were identified. We found very high mtDNA diversity but low level of maternal genetic structure within and between the two breeds. Bayesian coalescent‐based analysis revealed different historical and demographic profiles for the two breeds, with an earlier population expansion in the Butana vis a vis the Kenana. The maternal ancestral populations of the two breeds may have diverged prior to their introduction into the African continent, with first the arrival of the ancestral Butana population. We also reveal distinct demographic history between the two breeds with the Butana showing a decline in its effective population size (N_e) in the recent past ~590 years. Our results provide new insights on the early history of cattle pastoralism in Sudan indicative of a large ancient effective population size.     

Post‐glacial population expansion of the Monterey Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus concolor in the Gulf of California

The level of genetic homogeneity and demographic history of the Monterey Spanish mackerel Scomberomorus concolor was assessed by analyses using sequences of the mitochondrial (mt)DNA‐control region of samples from the two oceanographic regions of the Gulf of California in order to define the stock structure for this exploited vulnerable species. The data were consistent with a single homogeneous population and revealed the hallmark of fluctuations in population size; these fluctuations appear to have occurred during glacial events of the middle to late Pleistocene, which may in turn be related to the colonization and expansion of S. concolor populations in the gulf.     

Genetic structure and demographic history of the melon fly Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillet) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Thailand

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Population genetics of the high elevation black fly Simulium (Nevermannia) feuerborni Edwards in Thailand

In this study, we examined the genetic structure and population history of the high elevation black fly Simulium feuerborni in Thailand at both cytogenetic and molecular genetic levels. Cytological examination revealed two cytoforms differentiated by fixed chromosome inversions. The distributions of the cytoforms were associated with geographic origins. Cytoform A was found in the lower north and northeast, and cytoform B was found in the upper northern region of Thailand. Molecular data based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) barcoding sequence supports the separation of the cytoforms. The average sequence divergence between the two cytoforms was 3.75%, which is higher than the threshold value for the species level based on a COI barcoding sequence. Median joining network clearly differentiated the haplotypes of the cytoforms into different lineages. Population pairwise F_ST and amova analyses reveal significant genetic differentiation between cytoforms. This indicates that the low land areas separating these populations act as a gene flow barrier. No genetic differentiation was detected within cytoforms. This could be due to a recent sharing of population history. Mismatch distribution analysis revealed population expansion in the northern lineage of the cytoform B approximately 220 000 years ago. More recent expansion (32 000 years ago) was found in the lower north and northeast (cytoform A) lineage. The demographic history of S. feuerborni mirrored previous findings in black flies and other insect species in Thailand. This indicates the important role of Pleistocene climatic change on genetic structure and diversity of Southeast Asian mainland species.     

Genetic structure and historical demography of Schizothorax nukiangensis (Cyprinidae) in continuous habitat

Geographic distance, different living habitats or Pleistocene climatic oscillations have frequently been found to shape population genetic structure in many species. The genetic structure of Schizothorax nukiangensis, a high altitude, valuable fish species, which is distributed throughout the Nujiang River, was investigated by mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), cytochrome b (cytb), and the mitochondrial control region (MCR) of S. nukiangensis were concatenated for examination of population structure and demographic history. The concatenated data set (2405 bp) implied a pronounced genetic population structure (overall F_ST = 0.149) and defined two population units. Strong differentiation was detected between the Sanjiangkou (SJK) population and other populations due to environmental heterogeneity, dispersal ability, and/or glacial cycles. Additional DNA sequencing of the nuclear RAG2 gene also examined significant differentiation between two units and between SJK and the upstream populations (U‐unit). Recent expansion events suggest that S. nukiangensis may have undergone a rapid increase during warm interglacial periods. Surprisingly, S. nukiangensis appears to have undergone an obvious expansion during the last glaciations (LG) for cold hardiness and a sharp contraction from 1.5 ka to the present. However, two population units exhibited different reflections during the LG, which might be closely related to their living habitats and cold hardiness. A clear pattern of isolation by distance was detected in S. nukiangensis due to feeding habits, limited dispersal ability, and/or philopatry. It is vitally important that more attention be given to S. nukiangensis due to low genetic diversity, lack of gene flow, and recent population contraction.     

Comparative population structure of two dominant species,Shinkaia crosnieri (Munidopsidae: Shinkaia) and Bathymodiolus platifrons (Mytilidae: Bathymodiolus), inhabiting both deep‐sea vent and cold seep inferred from mitochondrial multi‐genes

Deep‐sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, limited environments without sunlight, are two types of extreme habitat for marine organisms. The differences between vents and cold seeps may facilitate genetic isolation and produce population heterogeneity. However, information on such chemosynthetic fauna taxa is rare, especially regarding the population diversity of species inhabiting both vents and cold seeps. In this study, three mitochondrial DNA fragments (the cytochrome c oxidase submit I (COI), cytochrome b gene (Cytb), and 16S) were concatenated as a mitochondrial concatenated dataset (MCD) to examine the genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history of Shinkaia crosnieri and Bathymodiolus platifrons. The genetic diversity differences between vent and seep populations were statistically significant for S. crosnieri but not for B. platifrons. S. crosnieri showed less gene flow and higher levels of genetic differentiation between the vent and seep populations than B. platifrons. In addition, the results suggest that all the B. platifrons populations, but only the S. crosnieri vent populations, passed through a recent expansion or bottleneck. Therefore, different population distribution patterns for the two dominant species were detected; a pattern of population differentiation for S. crosnieri and a homogeneity pattern for B. platifrons. These different population distribution patterns were related to both extrinsic restrictive factors and intrinsic factors. Based on the fact that the two species were collected in almost identical or adjacent sampling sites, we speculated that the primary factors underlying the differences in the population distribution patterns were intrinsic. The historical demographics, dispersal ability, and the tolerance level of environmental heterogeneity are most likely responsible for the different distribution patterns.     

The mango seed weevil Sternochetus mangiferae (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is characterized by low genetic diversity and lack of genetic structure

1. The mango seed weevil Sternochetus mangiferae (Fabricius) is distributed across the major mango-producing areas of the world and causes significant economic losses of mango fruit. Despite its importance as a crop pest, we have only limited information on the population genetics of the mango seed weevil.
2. Here, we examined the genetic diversity of this important pest using specimens intercepted by Beijing Customs District P. R. in China from 41 countries and regions. We used segments of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and the nuclear gene elongation factor 1-alpha to examine population genetic structure in this species.
3. Our results showed that genetic diversity is low in S. mangiferae, with a mean genetic distance of 0.095–0.14%. Other population genetic parameters also indicated a low level of genetic diversity among samples from a large geographic range. Analysis of molecular variance revealed little population genetic structure, and mismatch distribution analyses provided evidence of a population expansion, although other demographic metrics of population expansion were nonsignificant.
4. We suggest that the observed low level of genetic diversity and population genetic structure in S. mangiferae supports the hypothesis that the population genetics of this species has been impacted by anthropogenic transportation of mangoes and weevils.

     

祁连山区特有物种黑虎耳草的居群遗传多样性研究

利用叶绿体基因(rbcL和trnS-G)及核糖体DNA内转录间隔区(ITS),对祁连山区狭域分布的特有物种黑虎耳草8个居群(115个个体)进行遗传多样性研究,旨在揭示黑虎耳草的居群遗传结构及其历史进化过程。结果表明:(1)所有取样个体共检测到4个cpDNA单倍型和9个ITS单倍型,其中祁连山东南部的居群固定较多的单倍型和特有单倍型,而西北部居群只固定少数几个广泛分布的单倍型,且遗传多样性普遍较低。(2)基于cpDNA数据和ITS数据的分子变异分析(AMOVA)显示,遗传变异主要来源于居群内。(3)基于cpDNA数据的中性检验表明,Tajima’s D(-1.012 30,P> 0.05)和Fu&Li’s D*(-2.066 77,P> 0.05)均为负值,均不显著;歧点分布分析结果显示,黑虎耳草居群经历过近期的扩张事件。根据物种现有遗传分布格局推测,黑虎耳草在第四纪冰期时退缩到祁连山东南部的边缘避难所,间冰期或冰期后回迁到祁连山西北部地区,在回迁过程中由于奠基者效应导致祁连山西北部的居群仅固定少数广泛分布的单倍型,并呈现出较低的遗传多样性;由于居群较小且相互隔离,该...     

The complex biogeographic history of a widespread tropical tree species

Many tropical forest tree species have broad geographic ranges, and fossil records indicate that population disjunctions in some species were established millions of years ago. Here we relate biogeographic history to patterns of population differentiation, mutational and demographic processes in the widespread rainforest tree Symphonia globulifera using ribosomal (ITS) and chloroplast DNA sequences and nuclear microsatellite (nSSR) loci. Fossil records document sweepstakes dispersal origins of Neotropical S. globulifera populations from Africa during the Miocene. Despite historical long-distance gene flow, nSSR differentiation across 13 populations from Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador (east and west of Andes) and French Guiana was pronounced (F(ST)= 0.14, R(ST)= 0.39, P < 0.001) and allele-size mutations contributed significantly (R(ST) > F(ST)) to the divergences between cis- and trans-Andean populations. Both DNA sequence and nSSR data reflect contrasting demographic histories in lower Mesoamerica and Amazonia. Amazon populations show weak phylogeographic structure and deviation from drift-mutation equilibrium indicating recent population expansion. In Mesoamerica, genetic drift was strong and contributed to marked differentiation among populations. The genetic structure of S. globulifera contains fingerprints of drift-dispersal processes and phylogeographic footprints of geological uplifts and sweepstakes dispersal.     

Sunshine versus gold: The effect of population age on genetic structure of an invasive mosquito

The genetic diversity and structure of invasive species are affected by the time since invasion, but it is not well understood how. We compare likely the oldest populations of Aedes aegypti in continental North America with some of the newest to illuminate the range of genetic diversity and structure that can be found within the invasive range of this important disease vector. Aedes aegypti populations in Florida have probably persisted since the 1600‐1700s, while populations in southern California derive from new invasions that occurred in the last 10 years. For this comparison, we genotyped 1,193 individuals from 28 sites at 12 highly variable microsatellites and a subset of these individuals at 23,961 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This is the largest sample analyzed for genetic structure for either region, and it doubles the number of southern California populations previously analyzed. As predicted, the older populations (Florida) showed fewer indicators of recent founder effect and bottlenecks; in particular, these populations have dramatically higher genetic diversity and lower genetic structure. Geographic distance and driving distance were not good predictors of genetic distance in either region, especially southern California. Additionally, southern California had higher levels of genetic differentiation than any comparably sized documented region throughout the worldwide distribution of the species. Although population age and demographic history are likely driving these differences, differences in climate and transportation practices could also play a role.     

Multilocus nuclear DNA markers reveal population structure and demography of Anopheles minimus

Utilization of multiple putatively neutral DNA markers for inferring evolutionary history of species population is considered to be the most robust approach. Molecular population genetic studies have been conducted in many species of Anopheles genus, but studies based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data are still very scarce. Anopheles minimus is one of the principal malaria vectors of Southeast (SE) Asia including the Northeastern (NE) India. Although population genetic studies with mitochondrial genetic variation data have been utilized to infer phylogeography of the SE Asian populations of this species, limited information on the population structure and demography of Indian An. minimus is available. We herewith have developed multilocus nuclear genetic approach with SNP markers located in X chromosome of An. minimus in eight Indian and two SE Asian population samples (121 individual mosquitoes in total) to infer population history and test several hypotheses on the phylogeography of this species. While the Thai population sample of An. minimus presented the highest nucleotide diversity, majority of the Indian samples were also fairly diverse. In general, An. minimus populations were moderately substructured in the distribution range covering SE Asia and NE India, largely falling under three distinct genetic clusters. Moreover, demographic expansion events could be detected in the majority of the presently studied populations of An. minimus. Additional DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial COII region in a subset of the samples (40 individual mosquitoes) corroborated the existing hypothesis of Indian An. minimus falling under the earlier reported mitochondrial lineage B.     

Bayesian inference of a complex invasion history revealed by nuclear and chloroplast genetic diversity in the colonizing plant,Silene latifolia

Species invading new ranges are subject to a series of demographic events that can strongly shape genetic diversity. Describing this demographic history is important for understanding where invasive species come from and how they spread, and is critical to testing hypotheses of postinvasion adaptation. Here, we analyse nuclear and chloroplast genetic diversity to study the invasion history of the widespread colonizing weed, Silene latifolia (Caryophyllaceae). Bayesian clustering and PCA revealed strong population structure in the native range of Europe, and although genotypes from multiple native sources were present in the introduced range of North America, the spatial distribution of genetic variance was dramatically reorganized. Using approximate Bayesian computation (ABC), we compared support for different invasion scenarios, including the number and size of independent introduction events and the amount of admixture occurring between sources of introduced genotypes. Our results supported independent introductions into eastern and western North America, with the latter forming a bridgehead for a secondary invasion into the Great Lakes region of central North America. Despite small estimated founder population sizes, the duration of the demographic bottleneck after the initial introduction appeared extremely short‐lived. This pattern of repeated colonization and rapid expansion has effectively eroded the strong population structure and cytonuclear associations present in Europe, but has retained overall high genetic diversity since invasion. Our results highlight the flexibility of the ABC approach for constructing a narrative of the demographic history of species invasions and provide baseline for future studies of evolutionary changes in introduced S. latifolia populations.     

Genetic relationship of the melon fly,Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA

Abstract The melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett) (Diptera: Tephritidae), has been the subject of worldwide quarantine and management efforts due to its widespread agricultural impact and potential for rapid range expansion. From its presumed native distribution in India, this species has spread throughout the hot‐humid regions of the world. We provide information that reveals population structure, invasion history and population connectivity from 23 locations covering nine countries based on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. Forty‐two polymorphic sites were described among 38 haplotypes. The most common haplotype, H1, was observed in 73% of the samples distributed among all populations. Highest genetic diversity was seen within populations, and no isolation‐by‐distance was detected. The western regions (Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, Burma and China‐west) showed higher haplotype diversity than eastern regions (China‐east). China‐Yunnan showed highest levels of genetic diversity in China. Haplotype diversity decreased with longitude from west to east. Together, these analyses suggest that B. cucurbitae has expanded from west to east within a limited geographic scale and recently invaded China through Yunnan Province.     

Genetic diversity and population structure of Culex modestus across Europe: does recent appearance in the United Kingdom reveal a tendency for geographical spread?

In mainland Europe, the mosquito species Culex modestus Ficalbi (1890) is a bridge vector for West Nile virus (WNV) from its natural bird-mosquito cycle to mammals. The present study assessed the genetic diversity of Cx. modestus, as well as related Culex species, using the mitochondrial COI DNA barcoding region and compared this with the population structure across Europe. A haplotype network was mapped to determine genealogical relationships among specimens. The intraspecific genetic diversity within individual Culex species was below 2%, whereas the interspecific genetic divergence varied from 2.99% to 13.74%. In total, 76 haplotypes were identified among 198 sequences. A median-joining network determined from 198 COI sequences identified two major lineages that were separated by at least four mutation steps. A high level of intraspecific genetic diversity was not detected in Cx. modestus in samples submitted from different European populations, which indicates that morphologically identified specimens represent a single species and not a species complex. Therefore, it is deduced that different populations of Cx. modestus will show a similar potential to transmit WNV, lending support to concerns that the population present in southeast England represents a risk of transmission to humans.     

Historical biogeography and post-glacial recolonization of South American temperate rain forest by the relictual marsupial Dromiciops gliroides

Aim Long‐term climatic variation has generated historical expansions and contractions of species ranges, with accompanying fragmentation and population bottlenecks, which are evidenced by spatial variation in genetic structure of populations. We examine here hypotheses concerning dispersal and vicariance in response to historical geoclimatic change and potential isolation produced by mountains and water barriers. Location The temperate rain forest of southern South America, which is distributed from coastal Chile, including the large continental island of Chiloé, across the Andes into Argentina. Methods We investigated our hypotheses in the phylogenetically and biogeographically relictual marsupial Dromiciops gliroides. We examined 56 specimens, which resulted from field samples and museum study skins from 21 localities. We evaluated the influence of two major barriers, the Andean cordillera and the waterway between the mainland and the large island of Chiloé, by performing Bayesian and maximum‐likelihood phylogenetic analyses on sequences of 877 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA. We further tested the contribution of the proposed geographical barriers using analysis of molecular variance (amova ). We also evaluated the responses of populations to historical north–south shifts of habitat associated with glacial history and sea‐level change. Results Our analyses revealed a phylogeny with three clades, two of which are widespread and contain nearly all the haplotypes: a northern clade (36–39° S) and a southern clade (40–43° S). These two clades contain forms from both sides of the Andes. Within the southern clade, island and mainland forms were not significantly differentiated. Tests of recent demographic change revealed that southern populations have experienced recent expansion, whereas northern populations exhibit long‐term stability. The direction of recent gene flow and range expansion is predominantly from Chile to Argentina, with a modest reciprocal exchange across the Andes. Recent gene flow from the island of Chiloé to the mainland is also supported. Main conclusions The genetic structure of contemporary D. gliroides populations suggests recent gene flow across the Andes and between the mainland and the island of Chiloé. Differences in demographic history that we detected between northern and southern populations have resulted from historical southward shifts of habitat associated with glacial recession in South America. Our results add to a growing literature that demonstrates the value of genetic data to illuminate how environmental history shapes species range and population structure.