Genetic Diversity Within the Southern Plains Woodrat (Neotoma Micropus) in Southern Texas

Abstract

Genetic diversity within a population of the southern plains woodrat was examined using DNA sequences (967 base pairs [bp]) obtained from the control or d-loop region of the mitochondrial genome. One hundred fourteen individuals from 10 collection sites were assigned to 42 haplotypes. Haplotype diversity values were moderate to high (0.974 overall and ranged from 0.524 to 0.964 across collecting sites), whereas nucleotide diversity values were low (0.008 overall and ranged from 0.001 to 0.010 across sites), indicating that this population possesses a high number of closely related haplotypes. Seventy-nine percent of the genetic variability was partitioned within groups that corresponded to the collecting sites. In addition, 13 samples from Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico were included as references for evaluating the evolutionary history of haplotypes. Nested clade analysis revealed that restricted gene flow with isolation by distance in conjunction with contiguous range expansion was responsible for the observed pattern of genetic diversity. A test of neutrality supported the diagnosis of restricted gene flow, but failed to support contiguous range expansion due solely to population growth. Examination of the spatial distribution of the haplotypes indicated that most haplotypes were restricted to a single collecting site; however, a small number of haplotypes were found at 2 or more sites. A phylogenetic analysis indicated that some haplotypes (28.6%) were restricted to the study area whereas the remaining haplotypes occupied a broader geographic region.

Ecology of Catarina Virus (familyArenaviridae) in Southern Texas, 2001–2004

“…The analysis of N protein gene sequence data in this study revealed a significant level of genetic diversity among CTNV strains isolated from woodrats captured on the CWMA in July, 1999-October, 2002. Previous studies (Méndez-Harclerode et al 2005) revealed a high level of genetic diversity among southern plains woodrats captured on the CWMA in January, 2001-October, 2004. Hypothetically, virus strain and host genetics, as well as age of woodrat at onset of infection, affect the duration of CTNV infection in the southern plains woodrat (Childs and Peters 1993).…”

Mitochondrial DNA diversity and population structure of a forest-dependent rodent, Praomys taitae (Rodentia: Muridae) Heller 1911, in the fragmented forest patches of Taita Hills, Kenya

“…37 However, this value is higher than what was recently observed in the plains woodrat, Neotoma micropus (π = 0.8%). 38 The low nucleotide diversity indices observed in most of the studied populations (Table 2) indicate that the populations possess a large number of closely related haplotypes, a scenario that would be expected after a recent demographic event such as a bottleneck or a population expansion. Although the spatial distribution of the haplotypes indicated that they were locality-specific (Fig.…”

A Molecular Examination of Relatedness, Multiple Paternity, and Cohabitation of the Southern Plains Woodrat (Neotoma Micropus)

“…Genomic DNA was isolated from liver, kidney, and epithelial tissues using the Puregene DNA isolation kit (Gentra Systems, Minneapolis, Minnesota) and methods outlined by Mendez-Harclerode et al (2005). Isolates were used as a DNA source for amplification of both D-loop and microsatellite amplicons.…”

“…Middens can be located easily, providing an efficient method for capturing individuals. Additionally, numerous studies documenting natural history attributes of N. micropus are available (Birney 1973; Conditt and Ribble 1997; Finley 1958; Henke and Smith 2000; Johnson 1952; Merkelz and Kerr 2002; Raun 1966; Suchecki et al 2004; Thies and Caire 1990, 1991), as well as studies regarding population genetic data (Mendez-Harclerode et al 2005, 2007). These characteristics make the southern plains woodrat an excellent model for studies of mating strategies and social structure.…”