Microsatellite Genetic Structure and Cytonuclear Discordance in Naturally Fragmented Populations of Deer Mice (Peromyscus maniculatus)

• Published in: The Journal of heredity Vol. 103; no. 1; pp. 71 - 79
• Main Authors: Taylor, Zachary S., Hoffman, Susan M. G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oxford University Press 2012; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Abundance; Animal populations; Animals; Cell Nucleus - genetics; Cluster Analysis; Gene Flow; Genetic Structures; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Lakes; Michigan; Microsatellite Repeats; Peromyscus - genetics; Peromyscus maniculatus; Phylogeography; Population genetics; Rodents; Michigan; Great Lakes; microsatellites; population genetics; small mammals; Rodentia; Great Lakes
• DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esr100
• ISSN: 0022-1503

The Great Lakes impose high levels of natural fragmentation on local populations of terrestrial animals in a way rarely found within continental ecosystems. Although separated by major water barriers, woodland deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus gracilis) populations on the islands and on the Upper Peninsula (UP) and Lower Peninsula (LP) of Michigan have previously been shown to have a mitochondrial DNA contact zone that is incongruent with the regional landscape. We analyzed 11 microsatellite loci for 16 populations of P. m. gracilis distributed across 2 peninsulas and 6 islands in northern Michigan to address the relative importance of geographical structure and inferred postglacial colonization patterns in determining the nuclear genetic structure of this species. Results showed relatively high levels of genetic structure for this species and a significant correlation between interpopulation differentiation and separation by water but little genetic structure and no isolation-by-distance within each of the 2 peninsulas. Genetic diversity was generally high on both peninsulas but lower and correlated to island size in the Beaver Island Archipelago. These results are consistent with the genetic and demographic isolation of Lower Peninsula populations, which is a matter of concern given the dramatic decline in P. m. gracilis abundance on the Lower Peninsula in recent years.