From the Apennines to the Alps: colonization genetics of the naturally expanding Italian wolf (Canis lupus) population

摘要: Wolves in Italy strongly declined the past and were confined south of Alps since turn last century, reduced 1970s to approximately 100 individuals surviving two fragmented subpopulations central-southern Apennines. The Italian wolves are presently expanding Apennines, started recolonize western Italy, France Switzerland about 16 years ago. In this study, we used a population genetic approach elucidate some aspects wolf recolonization process. DNA extracted from 3068 tissue scat samples collected Apennines (the source populations) colony), genotyped at 12 microsatellite loci aiming assess (i) strength bottleneck founder effects during onset colonization; (ii) rates gene flow between colony; (iii) minimum number colonizers that needed explain variability observed colony. We identified total 435 distinct genotypes, which showed Alps: have significantly lower diversity (heterozygosity, allelic richness, private alleles) than Apennines; genetically using pairwise F ST values, assignment test Bayesian clustering; not equilibrium (significant test). Spatial autocorrelations significant among separated up c . 230 km, roughly correspondent apparent gap permanent presence north estimated first-generation migrants indicates migration has been unidirectional male-biased, Alps, southern did contribute Alpine population. These results suggest that: colonized by few long-range migrating originating Apennine subpopulation; colonization process there moderate bottleneck; sources colonies was (corresponding 1.25–2.50 per generation), despite high potential for dispersal. Bottleneck simulations 8–16 effective founders Alps. Levels population, permanence structuring, will depend on future subpopulation fragments.