Abstract
The greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) is among the most widespread bat species in Europe but it has experienced severe declines, especially in Northern Europe. This species is listed Near Threatened in the European IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals, and it is considered to be highly sensitive to human activities and particularly to habitat fragmentation. Therefore, understanding the population boundaries and demographic history of populations of this species is of primary importance to assess relevant conservation strategies. In this study, we used 17 microsatellite markers to assess the genetic diversity, the genetic structure, and the demographic history of R. ferrumequinum colonies in the western part of its distribution. We identified one large population showing high levels of genetic diversity and large population size. Lower estimates were found in England and northern France. Analyses of clustering and isolation by distance suggested that the Channel and the Mediterranean seas could impede R. ferrumequinum gene flow. These results provide important information to improve the delineation of R. ferrumequinum management units. We suggest that a large management unit corresponding to the population ranging from Spanish Basque Country to northern France must be considered. Particular attention should be given to mating territories as they seem to play a key role in maintaining high levels of genetic mixing between colonies. Smaller management units corresponding to English and northern France colonies must also be implemented. These insular or peripheral colonies could be at higher risk of extinction in the near future.
Highlights
Biodiversity is dramatically declining at an accelerating rate for most animal groups (Butchart et al, 2010; Hoffmann et al, 2010; Sánchez‐ Bayo & Wyckhuys, 2019)
In ad‐ dition, we examined patterns of genetic differentiation to evaluate the connectivity between R. ferrumequinum colonies
These colonies were identified as a unique genetic cluster according to the results provided by STRUCTURE and MAPI analyses and the slight isolation by distance pattern detected which suggests that some admixture occurs at long‐distance, interconnecting the sampled locali‐ ties
Summary
Biodiversity is dramatically declining at an accelerating rate for most animal groups (Butchart et al, 2010; Hoffmann et al, 2010; Sánchez‐ Bayo & Wyckhuys, 2019). Among European bat species, the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) is relevant to address con‐ servation issues from population genetics This insectivorous spe‐ cies—which seasonally uses hibernation and maternity roosts—has experienced dramatic declines, in Northern Europe (e.g., Belgium, Luxembourg, England) where it is considered rare or extinct (Kervyn, Lamotte, Nyssen, & Verschuren, 2009; Mathews et al, 2018; Pir, 2009). We combined several population genetics approaches based on a dense sampling of R. ferrumequinum maternity colonies in the Poitou‐Charentes re‐ gion and we added further samples in France, encompassing the northern edge of R. ferrumequinum distribution, Spanish Basque Country, England, and Tunisia This sampling scheme, based on concentric circles of sampling, should be able to identify at which geographical scales R. ferrumequinum gene flow may decrease with distance. This study illustrates how population genetics may bring important information to delineate bat management units and to design conservation programs of bat species at relevant geo‐ graphical scales
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