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Different waves of postglacial recolonisation and genomic structure of bank vole population in NE Poland

Cite this dataset

Niedziałkowska, Magdalena et al. (2023). Different waves of postglacial recolonisation and genomic structure of bank vole population in NE Poland [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.jm63xsjg0

Abstract

Previous studies indicated that in some species phylogeographic patterns obtained in analyses of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers can be different. Such mitonuclear discordance can have important evolutionary and ecological consequences. In the present study, we aimed to check if there was any discordance between mitochondrial and nuclear DNA in the bank vole population in the contact zone of its two mtDNA lineages. We analysed the population genetic structure of bank voles using genome-wide genetic data (SNPs) and diversity of sequenced heart transcriptomes obtained from selected individuals from three populations inhabiting areas outside the contact zone. The SNP genetic structure of the populations confirmed the presence of at least two genetic clusters, and such division was concordant with the patterns obtained in analyses of other genetic markers and functional genes. However, genome-wide SNP analyses revealed a more detailed structure of the studied population, consistent with more than two bank vole recolonisation waves, as previously recognised in the study area. We did not find any significant differences between individuals representing two separate mtDNA lineages of the species in functional genes coding for protein-forming complexes, which are involved in the process of cell respiration in mitochondria. We concluded that the contemporary genetic structure of the populations and the width of the contact zone were shaped by climatic and environmental factors rather than by genetic barriers. The studied populations were likely isolated in separate Last Glacial Maximum refugia for an insufficient amount of time to develop significant genetic differentiation.

Funding

Foundation for Polish Science, Award: POMOST/2010-2/11

National Science Center, Award: UMO-2014/13/N/NZ8/02472

National Science Center, Award: 2019/34/A/NZ8/00231