Microsatellite analysis reveals genetic variation of Hipposideros pratti in its northernmost distribution

Abstract

Hipposideros pratti, a bat species found in caves across Southeast Asia to the Qinling-Funiu Mountain area in China. To understand the dynamic changes in its distribution and evaluate the current population status of the species, we reviewed 48 caves in the northernmost tip of the distribution, however, only three caves contained H. pratti. In this study, microsatellite markers enabled us to analyze genetic diversity among species in this region, and several noteworthy findings were uncovered. 1) The average number of observed alleles (Na) of H. pratti in the region was 3.94, and the average observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.529. Additionally, all three populations were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. 2) Intra-population was the predominant genetic variation of the H. pratti population. 3) H. pratti in the region experienced a bottleneck effect. Alarmingly, our investigation revealed varying degrees of human interference in the three caves where H. pratti are currently distributed, thereby putting the populations at risk. It is of utmost importance for urgent management strategies to be implemented, including the adoption of appropriate measures to decrease human disruption within caves.