Published September 7, 2021 | Version v1
Dataset Open

Data from: Genetic diversity in a long-lived mammal is explained by the past's demographic shadow and current connectivity

  • 1. University of Greifswald
  • 2. INRAE
  • 3. Verein für Umweltmanagement und Nachhaltigkeit in Finanzinstituten
  • 4. Plecotus
  • 5. NACHTaktiv

Description

Within-species genetic diversity is crucial for the persistence and integrity of populations and ecosystems. Conservation actions require an understanding of factors influencing genetic diversity, especially in the context of global change. Both population size and connectivity are factors greatly influencing genetic diversity; the relative importance of these factors can however change through time. Hence, quantifying the degree to which population size or genetic connectivity are shaping genetic diversity, and at which ecological time scale (past or present), is challenging, yet essential for the development of efficient conservation strategies. In this study, we estimated the genetic diversity of 42 colonies of Rhinolophus hipposideros, a long-lived mammal vulnerable to global change, sampling locations spanning its continental northern range. We present an integrative approach that disentangles and quantifies the contribution of different connectivity measures in addition to contemporary colony size and historic bottlenecks in shaping genetic diversity. In our study, the best model explained 64% of the variation in genetic diversity. It included historic bottlenecks, contemporary colony sizes, connectivity and a negative interaction between the latter two. Contemporary connectivity explained most genetic diversity when considering a 65 km radius around the focal colonies, emphasizing the large geographic scale at which the positive impact of connectivity on genetic diversity is most profound and hence the minimum scale at which conservation should be planned. Our results highlight that the relative importance of the two main factors shaping genetic diversity varies through time, emphasizing the relevance of disentangling them to ensure appropriate conservation strategies.

Notes

Funding provided by: RESPONSE exchange grant
Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/None
Award Number: (awarded to PLJ)

Funding provided by: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
Crossref Funder Registry ID: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100001659
Award Number: RTG 2010 Research Training Program (German Science

Funding provided by: PROCOPE/DAAD
Crossref Funder Registry ID:
Award Number: project number 57211773 (awarded to SJP)

Funding provided by: PROCOPE/PHC
Crossref Funder Registry ID:
Award Number: project number 35454SB (awarded to EJP)

Funding provided by: Office National des Forets
Crossref Funder Registry ID:

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