Genetic diversity and population structure of Marsh Grassbird (Locustella pryeri sinensis) in China

Abstract

We used sequences of mitochondrial control region (807bp) in 75 samples from three breeding colonies and one wintering population to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of Marsh Grassbird (Locustella pryeri sinensis) in different regions of China. Marsh Grassbird retained a moderate amount of haplotype (0.759 ± 0.056) and nucleotide diversity (0.002). The results of F ST among 3 phylogeographic units and Φ ST between breeding and wintering sites revealed little evidence of genetic distinction between different colonies. Neither UPGMA tree structure analysis nor Network picture analysis showed obvious divergence between populations at different locations. Analysis of molecular variance also showed a lack of regional subdivision within Locustella pryeri sinesis, 98.5% of source of variation within populations and only 1.5% among populations. The neutrality test showed negative Fu’s FS value, which, in combination with detection of the mismatch distribution, suggested that population expansion occurred in the evolutionary history of this species. This hypothesis was further supported by Tajima’s D test and Fu’s test (D = −1.80, p = 0.02; Fs = −22.11, p = 0.001), this expansion was estimated to occur about 28,700 years ago.