Abstract
AbstractAimIn this study, we conduct a quantitative meta‐analysis to investigate broad patterns of genetic variation throughout large geographical regions in order to elucidate concordant geographical patterns across species and identify common historical processes to better inform the “cryptic refugia” versus the traditional “southern refugia” hypothesis debate.LocationEurope.Time periodLate Pleistocene to present day.Major taxa studiedSmall mammals (Rodentia, Eulipotyphla).MethodsA meta‐analysis was performed on large‐scale patterns of genetic diversity for 19 species from 59 papers. For each species, haplotype and nucleotide diversity were calculated using the mitochondrial D‐loop and compared to the species’ range.ResultsNo consistent patterns were observed between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity indices (nucleotide and haplotype diversity) and any of the indicators of distribution examined [latitude and longitude (max, min, centre, range)]. The patterns of genetic diversity observed in all the 19 species studied appear to be species‐specific.Main conclusionsIn contrast to the traditional southern refugial hypotheses, we found no evidence for a consistent south–north post‐glacial expansion. Instead individual species appear to respond to climate oscillations in niche‐specific ways. This individual nature of each species’ phylogeographical history indicates a complex web of post‐glacial recolonization dynamics across Europe.
Highlights
The investigation of geographical distributions of genetic lineages and genetic diversity has allowed inferences about post‐glacial colo‐ nization history in recent decades
It was felt the data suggested that the majority of European temperate species recolonized central and northern Europe after the last glaciation from southern refugial areas (Hewitt, 1999, 2004 ; Seddon, Santucci, Reeve, & Hewitt, 2001)
This paper investigates patterns of genetic diversity by exam‐ ining various diversity indices across 19 small mammal species to test for trends and commonalities
Summary
The investigation of geographical distributions of genetic lineages and genetic diversity has allowed inferences about post‐glacial colo‐ nization history in recent decades (the phylogeographical approach: Avise, 2000). The existence of refugia outside the traditional southern peninsulae (so‐called cryptic northern, or extra‐Mediterranean, refugia: Bilton et al, 1998; Stewart & Lister, 2001; Schmitt & Varga, 2012 but see Tzedakis, Emerson, & Hewitt, 2013) has been recognized for a wide range of species including small mammals (e.g., central Europe; Deffontaine et al, 2005; Fink, Excoffier, & Heckel, 2004). Boreal and arctic species may be considered to be in refugia today, in compar‐ ison to colder periods of our glacial history when they maintained much wider distributions (Stewart & Dalén, 2008). These conflicting reports indicate that there is discordance between competing hy‐ potheses of European post‐glacial biogeographical processes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
