Conservation implications of the evolutionary history and genetic diversity hotspots of the snowshoe hare

摘要: With climate warming, the ranges of many boreal species are expected to shift northward and fragment in southern peripheral ranges. To understand conservation implications losing populations, we examined range-wide genetic diversity snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), an important prey that drives ecosystem dynamics. We analysed microsatellite (8 loci) mitochondrial DNA sequence (cytochrome b control region) variation almost 1000 hares. A hierarchical structure analysis data suggests initial subdivision two groups, Boreal southwestern. The southwestern group further splits into Greater Pacific Northwest U.S. Rockies. genealogical information retrieved from mtDNA is congruent with three highly differentiated divergent groups These can correspond evolutionarily significant units might have evolved separate refugia south east Pleistocene ice sheets. Genetic was highest at mid-latitudes species' range, uniqueness greatest consistent substructuring inferred both analyses finer levels analysis. Surprisingly, hares lineage were more closely related black-tailed jackrabbits californicus) than other hares, which may result secondary introgression or shared ancestral polymorphism. Given distinctiveness populations minimal gene flow their northern neighbours, fragmentation loss habitats could mean unique alleles reduced evolutionary potential.