Eastern-Urals radioactive trace as a source of genetic diversity in rodents populations at adjacent territories

Abstract

Firstly, polymorphism of gene cytochrome b’(cytb) fragment of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA ) and migratory activity of red-backed voles (Myodes rutilus Pallas, 1779) at zone of local radioactive pollution – Eastern-Urals radioactive trace zone (EURT) are investigated. More high haplotype diversity in both samples from EURT zone and adjacent background territory (9–10 km) as compared with the reference one (220 kms) was found. Moreover nucleotide diversity and average number of pair distinctions between haplotypes were greatest in voles from contiguous site with background radiation level. Our hypothesis about association genetic diversity with rodents’ migrations from EURT zone were verified in field experiments employing group marking of population by biomarker rhodamine B. Migrants (males and females) of different functional status at background sites were revealed. Long-distance movements (9500 m) are maximal known for M. rutilus. EURT zone is a source of genetic diversity in rodents populations on adjacent territories due to interpopulation gene flows patterns (radiation-induced effects) carrying by migrants. MtDNA can be served as an effective biomarker of radionuclide exposure in natural environment. Сombining usage of ecological and molecular biomarkers is expediently for monitoring in rodents inhabiting zones of local radionuclides pollution.