Differentiation of North African foxes and population genetic dynamics in the desert—insights into the evolutionary history of two sister taxa, Vulpes rueppellii and Vulpes vulpes

摘要: The effects of Pleistocene glaciations on moulding biodiversity have been extensively investigated within temperate biomes, yet arid ecosystems are largely neglected. A clear example comes from North Africa and the successive range expansion/contraction cycles Sahara desert. This study focuses African foxes (genus Vulpes), in particular two sister taxa, Vulpes rueppellii vulpes, but also zerda pallida. set mitochondrial markers (Cyt-b D-loop) 31–33 autosomal microsatellites were used to conduct phylogenetic population analyses, as well investigate possible occurrence hybridisation events. Phylogenetic analysis revealed V. be more closely related vulpes than latter with Eurasian along sub-clades Maghreb. In contrast, microsatellite identified clearly separate entities, no sign structure was observed for both species Africa. Both nuclear separated distinct groups. We propose explanatory scenarios, influenced by past climatic shifts: (1) introgression genome into (2) represents an ecotype trapped during a humid/arid transition. expansions/contractions likely responsible vulpes. unveil intriguing insights genetic carnivore Africa, suggesting that further integrative research is needed.