Genetic diversity of flat-headed vole (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alticola strelzowi</Emphasis> (Kastschenko, 1899)) inferred from cytochrome <Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis> variation

Variation of the cytochrome b gene fragment was examined in 27 flat-headed voles Alticola strelzowi from different parts of the species range. A total of 15 haplotypes were described, while the species is characterized by low levels of genetic differentiation and polymorphism. The haplotypes form three haplogroups, one of which corresponded to the subspecies A. s. strelzowi, and the other two, to A. s. desertorum. Based on different indices, the level of genetic polymorphism in the later subspecies was considered to be higher than in the first one. Phylogeographic analysis suggested post-glacial dispersal of flat-headed voles from a single refugium located in Western Altai. Using different techniques, relatively recent colonization of the Central Altai territory was demonstrated (subspecies A. s. strelzowi), which determined low level of genetic variation in this territory.     

Phylogeography of Altai osmans (Oreoleuciscus sp., Cyprinidae, Pisces) based on sequence variation of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene

Representatives of the genus Oreoleuciscus (Altai osmans) from the water bodies of Western Mongolia were examined for sequence polymorphism of the mitochondrial DNA fragment containing the cytochrome b (Cyt-b) gene. A total of 17 sequence variants (haplotypes) were discovered, which formed two clusters, A and B, with nonoverlapping geographic localization. Cluster A included haplotypes of Altai osmans from the Valley of Lakes water bodies. Cluster B consisted of two subclusters, the first of which (B1) united sequence variants of the populations from Hollow of the Great Lakes and the lakes of the Great Altai Range. The second subcluster (B2) was formed by the haplotypes originating from the Hollow of the Lake Uvs, some isolated lakes of the Northwestern Khangay region, and the water bodies of the Arctic Ocean Basin (basins of Selenga and Orchon rivers). Based on the genetic divergence estimates and the radiation time of genetic geographic groups identified, the existence of three allopatric species of Altaic osmans in the genus Oreoleuciscus was substantiated.     

Molecular genetic diversity of musk deer Moschus moschiferus L., 1758 (Ruminantia, Artiodactyla) from the northern subspecies group

Genetic diversity within the northern subspecies group of musk deer Moschus moschiferus L, 1758 was examined based on the mtDNA control region hypervariable fragment (300-bp) sequence polymorphism. Nucleotide diversity, constituting 2.6% for the whole sample (n = 34), varied in the range from 0.6 to 1.9% for individual subspecies. Maximum values of this index were observed for Siberian subspecies (M. m. moschiferus), which had the widest range. Genetic similarity between the haplotypes of the musk deer from the Far East (Russia) and Sakhalin Island, which grouped in one cluster in a phylogenetic tree, was demonstrated. The data obtained indicate that the distribution of musk deer along the territory of Russia occurred from Eastern Siberia to the Far East, and from there to the Sakhalin Island. A currently observed decrease of the musk deer population number along with the increased habitat fragmentation can result in a decrease of the total genetic diversity and in inbreeding depression in the local isolated groups.     

Phylogeography of red deer (Cervus elaphus): Analysis of MtDNA cytochrome b polymorphism

Analysis of MtDNA cytochrome b gene (1140 bp) polymorphism of 106 samples red deer (Cervus elaphus) from different regions of Eurasia was performed; the phylogenetic relationships of groups throughout the entire inhibiting area (including North America) were reconstructed. Totally 75 haplotypes were detected, 33 of which were found in the European and 42 in the Asian part of the area. There were no identical haplotypes for these two parts of the area found. The close relatedness between Siberian red deer (C. e. sibirica) and North American wapiti (C. e. canadensis) was confirmed. Red deer inhibiting Yakutia were close to the Siberian red deer from Altai and Tuva, whereas red deer inhibiting Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk regions formed a separate clade. Overall, the reconstructed phylogeographic pattern of the species was significantly different from the subspecies differentiation based on morphological traits.     

Molecular genetic diversity of musk deer Moschus moschiferus L., 1758 (Ruminantia, Artiodactyla) from the northern subspecies group

Genetic diversity within the northern subspecies group of musk deer Moschus moschiferus L., 1758 was examined based on the mtDNA control region hypervariable fragment (300-bp) sequence polymorphism. Nucleotide diversity, constituting 2.6% for the whole sample (n = 34), varied in the range from 0.6 to 1.9% for individual subspecies. Maximum values of this index were observed for Siberian subspecies (M. m. moschiferus), which had the widest range. Genetic similarity between the haplotypes of the musk deer from the Far East (Russia) and Sakhalin Island, which grouped in one cluster in a phylogenetic tree, was demonstrated. The data obtained indicate that the distribution of musk deer along the territory of Russia occurred from Eastern Siberia to the Far East, and from there to the Sakhalin Island. A currently observed decrease of the musk deer population number along with the increased habitat fragmentation can result in a decrease of the total genetic diversity and in inbreeding depression in the local isolated groups.     

两个地区东方田鼠基因组RAPD分析比较研究

目的　从DNA的水平分析比较两个地区东方田鼠的分子遗传特征,探讨以RAPD标记鉴别两个地区的东方田鼠。方法　筛选6条10bp的随机引物对洞庭湖和青铜峡地区的东方田鼠基因组进行了随机扩增多态DNA(RAPD)分析,并对这两个地区的东方田鼠的基因组DNA进行了比较。结果　①两个地区东方田鼠的所有受试个体中共有的片段数为20条,这是两个地区东方田鼠的共性所在;②两个地区东方田鼠各有其特异性扩增片段;③引物S17和S80可作为鉴别两个地区东方田鼠的特异性引物;④不同地区的东方田鼠其不同个体之间的共享度较低,且存在较大差异;两个地区东方田鼠的遗传背景均呈非均一性。结论　运用RAPD方法可以作为鉴别不同地区东方田鼠的基因多态性的标记。     

Mouse subspecies differentiation and H-2 polymorphism

Four major groups of Mus musculus subspecies are analysed from the genetical view point. A number of genetic traits exhibited polymorphism. Most were common among domesticus, bactrianus and castaneus subspecies, while others were musculus subspecies-specific. This suggests that the earliest differentiation was between domesticus and musculus . Mouse class I MHC was compared in these two lines. Immunological and molecular analyses of H-2K molecules indicated that these two groups of mouse have several common haplotypes of class I molecules. Phenotype frequencies of these haplotypes are considerably different in each subspecies. "Overdominance selection" in class I H-2 is one of the possible explanations for this.     

Chloroplast DNA variation and postglacial recolonization of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) in Europe

We used chloroplast polymerase chain reaction-restriction-fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and chloroplast microsatellites to assess the structure of genetic variation and postglacial history across the entire natural range of the common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), a broad-leaved wind-pollinated and wind-dispersed European forest tree. A low level of polymorphism was observed, with only 12 haplotypes at four polymorphic microsatellites in 201 populations, and two PCR-RFLP haplotypes in a subset of 62 populations. The clear geographical pattern displayed by the five most common haplotypes was in agreement with glacial refugia for ash being located in Iberia, Italy, the eastern Alps and the Balkan Peninsula, as had been suggested from fossil pollen data. A low chloroplast DNA mutation rate, a low effective population size in glacial refugia related to ash's life history traits, as well as features of postglacial expansion were put forward to explain the low level of polymorphism. Differentiation among populations was high (GST= 0.89), reflecting poor mixing among recolonizing lineages. Therefore, the responsible factor for the highly homogeneous genetic pattern previously identified at nuclear microsatellites throughout western and central Europe (Heuertz et al. 2004) must have been efficient postglacial pollen flow. Further comparison of variation patterns at both marker systems revealed that nuclear microsatellites identified complex differentiation patterns in south-eastern Europe which remained undetected with chloroplast microsatellites. The results suggest that data from different markers should be combined in order to capture the most important genetic patterns in a species.     

Behavior of subadult mountain voles of two species (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Alticola strelzowi</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">A. tuvinicus</Emphasis>) in the open field test

A comparative study of mobility and anxiety of subadult flat-headed and Tuva silver voles in an open field test has been performed using arenas 50 and 63 cm in diameter. It is found that individuals of both species demonstrate higher movement speed and cover longer distances, both on the periphery and in general, on the larger arena. Interspecies behavioral differences have been identified only in the arena 63 cm in diameter. Subadult flat-headed voles demonstrate higher mobility and lower anxiety in the test compared to Tuva silver voles. Hypotheses pertaining to specific features of the ecology of the two species reflected in their behavior are proposed.     

两个不同地区东方田鼠杂交子代RAPD标记分析

目的研究不同地区东方田鼠杂交后产下的子代的遗传特性.方法筛选4条10bp随机引物对宁夏和洞庭湖地区东方田鼠杂交子代的基因组进行随机扩增多态DNA(RAPD)分析,并对不同地区亲代以及子代相互之间的基因组DNA进行相似性分析.结果①所有东方田鼠均有相同的扩增片段出现;②两个不同地区的亲代分别有特异性片般;③亲代的DNA带型均能在子代中找到;④同一胎次东方田鼠之间基因共享度大约在72%～96%之间.结论RAPD分析能在一定程度上反映出东方田鼠种的特性以及亚种的特异性,而且同一胎次之间基因共享度较高.     

The influence of late pleistocene mountain glaciations on the genetic differentiation of long-tailed ground squirrel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Urocitellus undulatus</Emphasis>)

Long-tailed ground squirrel (Urocitellus undulatus) is a polytypic species with a wide distribution from the Tien Shan to the Amur River region. Previously, considerable genetic differentiation between eastern and western populations of this species was demonstrated. Moreover, the greatest differences were observed in the western part of the range located in Central Asia, the region that was subjected to repeated glaciations in the past and represents one of the centers of the ground squirrel secondary diversification. The analysis of polymorphism of the mitochondrial DNA control region was carried out on long-tailed ground squirrels living in the northern part of Central Asia, on the territory of the Altai Mountains (45 individuals from 23 localities). The presence of two genetically differentiated (7.7% differences) and geographically separated lineages (western and eastern) was revealed. The data obtained disprove the hypothesis on unidirectional, from west to east, colonization of the Altai Mountains after the end of the last glacial maximum and show the two pathways of the ground squirrel colonization of the Altai, from both western and eastern refugia.     

PHYLOGEOGRAPHIC PATTERNS IN COASTAL NORTH AMERICAN TIGER BEETLES (CICINDELA DORSALIS SAY) INFERRED FROM MITOCHONDRIAL DNA SEQUENCES

Genetic variation was assessed in the tiger beetle, Cicindela dorsalis, by sequencing of three regions of the mtDNA genome. Populations of four morphologically distinguishable subspecies were sampled from 28 representative locations covering almost the entire geographic range of the species in coastal North America. In 78 individuals analyzed for 656 base pairs from four different genes, 17 different haplotypes could be distinguished. A cladistic analysis grouped the haplotype sequences into two main lineages, one from the Atlantic Ocean and one from the Gulf of Mexico. Haplotypes within the two clades were very similar to each other. Most of the characters that distinguished these closely related haplotypes were homoplastic. The geographic distribution of haplotypes did not coincide with the distribution of morphological subspecies, but no evidence for hybridization between two subspecies could be inferred from this observation. The implications of these findings for the evolution of gene sequences at and below the species level are discussed.     

Exploring phylogeography and species limits in the Altai vole (Rodentia: Cricetidae)

Natural hybridization between species is not a rare event. In arvicoline rodents, hybridization is known to occur in the wild and/or in captivity. In the Microtus arvalis group, cytogenetic studies revealed that there were two distinct chromosomal forms (2n = 46 but a different fundamental number of autosomes). These forms have been attributed to two cryptic species: the common (arvalis) and Altai (obscurus) voles. Recently, individuals with intermediate karyotypes (F₁ and backcrosses) were discovered in central European Russia, and, for this reason, other studies have regarded obscurus and arvalis as conspecific. In the present study, to address the question of the species limits in the Altai vole and to infer its evolutionary history, a phylogeographical analysis combined with multivariate morphometric methods and original chromosome data was performed. Two obscurus lineages were identified: the Sino‐Russian and South Caucasian lineages. Both lineages are characterized by low genetic diversity, resulting, in the former, from a past bottleneck event caused by encroaching periglacial areas and, in the latter, from recent rapid population divergence. Introgressive hybridization between the Altai and common voles appears to be the result of a secondary contact following the Last Glacial Maximum in central European Russia. Despite the fact that speciation is an ongoing process in most arvicoline species, the common and Altai voles are genetically divergent, morphologically and karyologically distinct, and exhibit contrasting evolutionary histories. For all these reasons, they should be ranked as species: M. arvalis and M. obscurus. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London     

Ancestral polymorphisms in genetic markers obscure detection of evolutionarily distinct populations in the endangered Florida grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum floridanus)

Genetic analyses of bird subspecies designated as conservation units can address whether they represent units with independent evolutionary histories and provide insights into the evolutionary processes that determine the degree to which they are genetically distinct. Here we use mitochondrial DNA control region sequence and six microsatellite DNA loci to examine phylogeographical structure and genetic differentiation among five North American grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) populations representing three subspecies, including a population of the endangered Florida subspecies (A. s. floridanus). This federally listed taxon is of particular interest because it differs phenotypically from other subspecies in plumage and behaviour and has also undergone a drastic decline in population size over the past century. Despite this designation, we observed no phylogeographical structure among populations in either marker: mtDNA haplotypes and microsatellite genotypes from floridanus samples did not form clades that were phylogenetically distinct from variants found in other subspecies. However, there was low but significant differentiation between Florida and all other populations combined in both mtDNA (FST = 0.069) and in one measure of microsatellite differentiation (theta = 0.016), while the non-Florida populations were not different from each other. Based on analyses of mtDNA variation using a coalescent-based model, the effective sizes of these populations are large (approximately 80,000 females) and they have only recently diverged from each other (< 26,000 ybp). These populations are probably far from genetic equilibrium and therefore the lack of phylogenetic distinctiveness of the floridanus subspecies and minimal genetic differentiation is due most probably to retained ancestral polymorphism. Finally, levels of variation in Florida were similar to other populations supporting the idea that the drastic reduction in population size which has occurred within the last 100 years has not yet had an impact on levels of variation in floridanus. We argue that despite the lack of phylogenetic distinctiveness of floridanus genotypes the observed genetic differentiation and previously documented phenotypic differences justify continued designation of this subspecies as a protected population segment.     

Genetic variation of the mitochondrial DNA gene encoding cytochrome b in the Magadan population of sable Martes zibellina L

The population of sable Martez zibellina consisting of two subspecies (M. z. kamtschadalica and M. z. jacutensis) on the territory of the Magadan oblast was analyzed for the variation of the 1300-bp mtDNA gene region encoding cytochrome b. Three haplotypes were revealed among the animals studied (n = 52). Six out of nine restriction endonucleases that had recognizable sites within the studied region of mtDNA genome had polymorphic sites. An index of gene diversity h was 0.27. The high level of polymorphism is a result of the fact that the population studied comprised two clearly differentiated subspecies. The ratio of dominating haplotypes corresponds to the percentage of females introduced from Kamchatka and Khabarovsk Krai, which suggests that in the period which has elapsed both maternal lineages remained fairly unchanged.     

Low Diversity of T Haplotypes in the Eastern Form of the House Mouse, Mus Musculus L

In previous studies, 13 different recessive embryonic lethal genes have been associated with t haplotypes in the wild mice of the species Mus domesticus. In this communication we have analyzed five populations of Mus musculus for the presence and identity of t haplotypes. The populations occupy geographically distant regions in the Soviet Union: Altai Mountains, western and eastern Siberia, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. No t haplotypes were found in mice from eastern Siberia. In the remaining four populations, t haplotypes occurred with frequencies ranging from 0.07 to 0.21. All the t haplotypes extracted from these populations and analyzed by the genetic complementation test were shown to carry the same lethal gene tcl-w73. In one population (that of western Siberia), another lethal gene (tcl-w5) was found to be present on the same chromosome as tcl-w73. This situation is in striking contrast to that found in the populations of the western form of the house mouse, M. domesticus. In the latter species, tcl-w73 has not been found at all and the different populations are characterized by the presence of several different lethal genes. The low diversity of t haplotypes in M. musculus is consistent with lower genetic variability of other traits and indicates a different origin and speciation mode compared to M. domesticus. Serological typing for H-2 antigenic determinants suggests that most, if not all, of the newly described t haplotypes might have arisen by recombination of tw73 from M. musculus with t haplotypes from M. domesticus either in the hybrid zone between the two species or in regions where the two species mixed accidentally.     

Genetic Differentiation of the Daurian Ground Squirrel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spermophilus dauricus</Emphasis> Brandt, 1843 according to Variability of the Mitochondrial DNA Control Region

Nucleotide sequences of the mtDNA control region were studied in 64 Daurian ground squirrels of the Spermophilus dauricus dauricus subspecies from 20 localities from the territory of Mongolia and Transbaikalia of the Russian Federation. A large number of slightly different haplotypes were detected. It was found that genetic polymorphism is not associated with geographical variability. It seems that the Kherlen River is not an ecological and geographical barrier for Daurian ground squirrels, while an exchange between Mongolian and Chinese populations probably occurs within the southwest end of the Greater Khingan Range. By comparative analysis of a number of molecular genetic markers, it was found that the mitochondrial genome numbered KR534854 (GenBank NCBI) belongs not to S. dauricus, but to one of the members of the Sciurus genus.     

The genetic diversity of burbot (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lota lota</Emphasis> L., 1758) of Western Siberia (the analysis of the mtDNA control region polymorphism)

The genetic variability of burbot (Lota lota L., 1758) inhabiting the Ob-Irtysh and Taz river basins in Western Siberia has been studied based on the polymorphism of the hypervariable fragment of mtDNA control region (407 bp). The analysis of 134 fish samples revealed 30 haplotypes, 23 of which were new. Among haplotypes, previously detected in Eurasia and North America, EB30 was the most frequently found in Western Siberia (45.5% frequency). The results of our study are in agreement with previous research pointing to the genetic differentiation of two burbot subspecies, L. l. lota and L. l. maculosa, and indicate that burbot inhabiting the Ob-Irtysh and Taz river basins belong to the Eurasian-Beringian clade (nominative subspecies L. l. lota). However, a high genetic diversity of burbot in Western Siberia, along with a relatively high differentiation of burbot groups within studied territory, points to a regional specificity of burbot population.     

Phylogeography of silver‐studded blue,Plebejus subsolanus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), in the central mountainous regions of Japan

The silver‐studded blue, Plebejus subsolanus, is widely distributed in the Russian Altai mountains, northeastern China, the Korean Peninsula, and the Japanese archipelago. In Japan, the species is distributed across wide elevation ranges from the lowlands of Hokkaido to the subalpine zone of Honshu. Current subspecies classification in Japan is as follows: ssp. iburiensis, occurring in lowland grasslands in Hokkaido; ssp. yaginus in lower mountain grasslands in Honshu; and ssp. yarigadakeanus in higher mountain grasslands in Honshu. The habitat of this species has been markedly reduced due to recent habitat destruction and land‐use changes. Here, we undertook phylogeographic analyses of two subspecies, ssp. yaginus and yarigadakeanus in the central mountainous regions of Japan, based on two mitochondrial gene sequences, in order to collect information for establishing effective conservation strategies. From 57 samples from the four mountain ranges, we obtained a haplotype network comprised of 12 haplotypes. Because of the haplotype network topology, the geographic distribution of haplotypes and the correspondence of haplotype divergence to subspecies taxonomy, we provisionally divided the haplotypes into three haplogroups: YR1 and YR2, which comprised ssp. yarigadakeanus, and YG, which comprised ssp. yaginus. Mitochondrial DNA genetic differentiation generally agreed with morphological subspecies classification. The haplotype network suggested that ssp. yarigadakeanus populations had multiple origins, and the subspecies character of “bright blue of the male's wings” was assumed to have evolved independently in each subalpine meadow. We found that P. subsolanus was genetically differentiated depending upon the elevation at each mountain region, suggesting that each haplogroup should be a conservation unit.     

The dynamics of the composition of mtDNA haplotypes of the ancient population of the Altai Mountains from the early bronze age (3rd millennium BC) to the iron age (2nd–1st centuries BC)

The mtDNA polymorphism in representatives of various archaeological cultures of the Developed Bronze Age, Early Scythian, and Hunnish-Sarmatian periods was analyzed (N = 34). It detected the dominance of Western-Eurasian haplotypes (70.6%) in mtDNA samples from the representatives of the ancient population of the Early Bronze Age–Iron Age on the territory of Altai Mountains. Since the 8th to the 7th centuries BC, a sharp increase was revealed in the Eastern Eurasian haplogroups A, D, C, and Z (43.75%) as compared to previous cultures (16.7%). The presence of haplotype 223-242-290-319 of haplogroup A8 in Dolgans, Itelmens, Evens, Koryaks, and Yakuts indicates the possible long-term presence of its carriers in areas inhabited by these populations. The prevalence of western Eurasian haplotypes is observed not only in the Altai Mountains but also in Central Asia (Kazakhstan) and the south of the Krasnoyarsk Krai. All of the three studied samples from the Western Eurasian haplogroups were revealed to contain U, H, T, and HV. The ubiquitous presence of haplotypes of haplogroup H and some haplogroups of cluster U (U5a1, U4, U2e, and K) in the vast territory from the Yenisei River basin to the Atlantic Ocean may indicate the direction of human settlement, which most likely occurred in the Paleolithic Period from Central Asia.