Genetic diversity of Italian greater horseshoe bats ( Rhinolophus ferrumequinum ) and distinction of the Sardinian colonies

Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy

article

Alessandra Palladini¹  Mauro Mucedda⁴  Ermanno Pidinchedda⁴  Adriano Martinoli⁵  Danilo Russo⁶  Giuseppe Bogliani¹  Nadia Mucci² 

[1] Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia;Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research;Paul Langerhans Institut Dresden;Centro Pipistrelli Sardegna;Environment Analysis and Management Unit – Guido Tosi Research Group, Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, University of Insubria;Wildlife Research Unit, Sezione di Biologia e Protezione dei Sistemi Agrari e Forestali, Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, via Università 100

关键词: genetic diversity;    Italy;    population structure;    Sardinia;    microsatellite loci;    Rhinolophus ferrumequinum;   

DOI  :  10.4404/hystrix-00210-2019

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Associazione Teriologica Italiana

【 摘 要 】

Characterizing the genetic outfit of a species is fundamental to evaluate its status and devise optimalconservation plans to maintain or enhance the viability of its populations. The greater horseshoebat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) underwent declines across Europe over the 20th century and wasthus listed in the EU Habitat Directive and the species protection legislation of EU countries. Tounderstand what is the state of the species in Italy, we described the genetic variability and population structure derived from 327 bats sampled in twenty-two Italian colonies. The analysis ofthe first part of the mitochondrial DNA control region (525 bp) and a panel of 12 microsatelliteloci revealed high genetic variability throughout the study area and the presence of two genetically distinct groups: the Sardinian and the peninsular pools. We could also identify indicationsof a genetic substructure within the peninsular population, with a significant divergence concerning colonies located at the northern borders. Notably, the relevant genetic differentiation betweenItalian and Sardinian colonies should be carefully taken into account for conservation planning.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC