Population genetic structure based on mitochondrial DNA analysis of Ikonnikov’s whiskered bat (Myotis ikonnikovi—Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Korea

• Published in: Journal of Ecology and Environment Vol. 43; no. 1; pp. 1 - 461
• Main Authors: Park, Soyeon, Noh, Pureum, Choi, Yu-Seong, Joo, Sungbae, Jeong, Gilsang, Kim, Sun-Sook
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer 30.12.2019; The Ecological Society of Korea; 한국생태학회
• Subjects: Analysis; Animal behavior; Bats; Biodiversity; COI protein; CytB gene; Cytochrome; Cytochrome b; Cytochrome oxidase; Cytochrome oxidase I; Distribution; DNA; DNA structure; Environmental aspects; Forests; Gene flow; Genes; Genetic analysis; Genetic aspects; Genetic diversity; Genetic structure; Habitat fragmentation; Haplotypes; Human-environment interactions; Local population; Mitochondrial DNA; Myotis ikonnikovi; Myotis mystacinus; Old-growth forests; Oxidases; Pest control; Phylogenetics; Population; Population genetics; Population structure; Population studies; Sample size; Whiskered bat; 생물학; South Korea; Germany
• ISSN: 2288-1220; 2287-8327; 2288-1220
• DOI: 10.1186/s41610-019-0140-5

Abstract Background Ikonnikov’s whiskered bat ( Myotis ikonnikovi ) is found throughout the Korean Peninsula, as well as in Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, China, and Japan. It is small-sized and primarily inhabits old-growth forests. The decrease and fragmentation of habitats due to increased human activity may influence the genetic structure of bat populations. This study was designed to elucidate the population genetic structure of M. ikonnikovi using mitochondrial genes ( cytochrome oxidase I and cytochrome b ). Results The results showed that M. ikonnikovi populations from Korea have high genetic diversity. Although genetic differentiation was not detected for the COI gene, strong genetic differentiation of the Cytb gene between Mt. Jeombong and Mt. Jiri populations was observed. Moreover, the results indicated that the gene flow of the maternal lineage may be limited. Conclusions This study is the first to identify the genetic population structure of M. ikonnikovi . We suggest that conservation of local populations is important for sustaining the genetic diversity of the bat, and comprehensive studies on factors causing habitat fragmentation are required.