Population structure of edible dormouse in Poland: the role of habitat fragmentation and implications for conservation

摘要: The effects of habitat fragmentation and the resulting decreases in effective population sizes are not easy to document because they take place over many generations may be affected by factors other than demographic ones. Here, we used 22 microsatellite loci investigate genetic structure diversity populations edible dormice Glis glis from habitats that varied widely area degree connectivity populations. We found most fragmented north-western region Poland were characterized extremely limited gene flow low compared less southern Poland. STRUCTURE analysis revealed three groups Poland, which might reflect adaptation environmental conditions across south-north east-west gradients, but could also due historical patterns post-glacial colonization. latter hypothesis is suggested observation grouped with those Balkans based on data ; however, fact all Polish shared western mtDNA cytochrome b haplotypes inconsistent this scenario. discuss consequences our findings for conservation dormouse