Genetic diversity and no evidences of recent hybridization in the endemic Italian hare (Lepus corsicanus)

Abstract

Fragmented populations of the endemic Italian hare (Lepus corsicanus) survive at low density in central and southern Italy, in Sicily and Corsica, where the species was introduced in the sixteenth century. Fragmentation and hybridization with widespread brown hares (L. europaeus), which were introduced outside their natural ranges, may threaten the survival and genetic integrity of the Italian hare. With the exception of a few cases of hybrids identified in Corsica, hybridization was not documented in the Italian hare. In this study, we aimed to assess the genetic diversity in the Italian hare populations and identify possible interspecific hybrids with the brown hare. We genotyped 458 samples belonging to the four species of Lepus distributed in Italy (the mountain hare, the brown hare, the Sardinian hare and the Italian hare) using maternal and biparental markers (mtDNA control-region, 13 autosomal microsatellites, 9 autosomal SNPs). Results confirmed sharp interspecific genetic distinctions among the four species. We did not find interspecific hybrids in Italian hares, with the exception of two cases of L. corsicanus mtDNA introgression in two L. europaeus individuals. The Italian hares in Sicily are genetically distinct, in consequence of long-lasting isolation. Peninsular populations show instances of recent genetic diversification in consequence of anthropogenic fragmentation. Our findings point to consider the conservation of the Sicilian population as a priority, discouraging introductions of exotic hares into the island. Habitat restoration and a net of ecological corridors could help the survival and expansion of threatened L. corsicanus populations in peninsular Italy. Massive releases of brown hares for hunting purposes should be avoided in areas of sympatry with the Italian hares.

A single multiplex of twelve microsatellite markers for the simultaneous study of the brown hare (Lepus europaeus) and the mountain hare (Lepus timidus)

“…Thus, in the future studies, it may be relevant to conduct analyses including or excluding this marker even if its impact on the results appears limited especially in our hybridization study. For both species, the estimated mean number of alleles, including rare alleles, fell within the range of values found in other European populations of brown hares (11 in Fickel et al., and Mengoni et al., vs. 10.6 in our study) and mountain hares (between 5 and 9 in Hamill et al., ; Zachos et al., and Rehnus & Bollmann, vs. 6.1 in our study). Such polymorphism made the discrimination of individuals possible based on nine markers over the 12 available in the multiplex.…”

“…Statistically significant null alleles frequencies are indicated with "**". The last column indicates dropout p-value for both species substantial null allele frequency that we have found in both species for LSA3 was observed by Mengoni et al (2015). Thus, in the future studies, it may be relevant to conduct analyses including or excluding this marker even if its impact on the results appears limited especially in our hybridization study.…”

“…However, such markers have already been applied to both species, thanks to the possibility for cross-amplification of microsatellites (Barbará et al, 2007). The microsatellites used in both species were developed for the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and the scrub hare (L. saxatilis) (Andersson, Thulin, & Tegelström, 1999;Antoniou, Magoulas, Platis, & Kotoulas, 2013;Campos, De Bellocq, Schaschl, & Suchentrunk, 2011;Canu et al, 2013;Djan, Popović, & Veličković, 2014;Estonba et al, 2006;Fickel et al, 2005;de Freitas, 2006;Fulgione, Maselli, Pavarese, Rippa, & Rastogi, 2009;Hamill, Doyle, & Duke, 2006;Melo-Ferreira et al, 2014;Mengoni, Mucci, & Randi, 2015;Surridge, Bell, Rico, & Hewitt, 1997;Thulin, Fang, & Averianov, 2006;Thulin, Malmsten, & Laurila, 2012;Thulin, Stone, et al, 2006;Zachos et al, 2010). None of these studies used more than eight markers in the same multiplex.…”

Mammal endemism In Italy: A review

“…1). Sicilian populations show a genetic differentiation (mtDNA), probably due to isolation (Mengoni et al, 2015). It was also present in Corsica, where it was introduced by man in historical times (Scalera and Angelici 2002).…”

Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA reveals reticulate evolution in hares (Lepus spp., Lagomorpha, Mammalia) from Ethiopia

“…Starting with Thulin et al[7], several molecular studies have identified patterns of reticulate evolution and paraphyly in a number of Lepus species, both on the intraspecific (e.g., Kasapidis et al[14]; Stamatis et al[15]) and interspecific levels (e.g., Alves et al[8,16], Thulin et al[17], Melo-Ferreira et al[18], Wu et al[19], Fredsted et al[20], Ben Slimen et al[21]; Melo-Ferreira et al[22], Alves et al[23,24], Pietri et al[25], Zachos et al[26], Liu et al[9], Wu et al[27], Melo-Ferreira et al[28], Melo-Ferreira et al[10,11], Mengoni et al[29]). This may add to systematic ambiguity or confusion, particularly if phylogenetic conclusions are based solely on mtDNA data (e.g., Waltari and Cook[30]; Wu et al[19], Ben Slimen et al[31]) or geographically limited sample sizes, or when molecular samples are analyzed without concomitant phenotypic examination.…”