Metapopulation genetic structure in the water vole, Arvicola terrestris, in NE Scotland

Abstract

The genetic structure of nine colonies of the water vole, Arvicola terrestris, in one area of NE Scotland was studied. Non-destructive samples from 478 individuals (mostly immature animals) were typed for 12 microsatellites. Cases of Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium were frequent within all colonies. The five colonies in the inland part of the study area also showed frequent cases of linkage disequilibrium. All colonies showed high levels of genetic diversity (unbiased H=0.52–0.74). All five colonies sampled in successive years showed significant annual changes in genetic composition. All colonies showed genetic differentiation from each other, whether measured by average θ, pairwise θ or pairwise Nei's genetic distance. The spatial pattern of genetic differentiation was consistent with either a stepping-stone model over the whole study area or an island model within the coastal and inland parts and an intervening barrier to gene flow. The study suggested that the genetic structure of colonies of A. terrestris often departs from the equilibrium states assumed by traditional methods for the study of gene flow, and that a parentage-based approach would be fruitful.