Sex-Biased Dispersal in a Migratory Bat: A Characterization Using Sex-Specific Demographic Parameters

Abstract

Abstract. We studied the noctule bat (Nyctalus noctula), in which the mitochondrial F ST is about 10 times that revealed by nuclear markers, to address two questions. We first verified whether random dispersal of one sex is compatible with highly contrasted mitochondrial and nuclear population structures. Using computer simulations, we then assessed the power of multilocus population differentiation tests when the expected population structure departs only slightly from panmixia. Using an island model with sex-specific demographic parameters, we found that random male dispersal is consistent with the population structure observed in the noctule. However, other parameter combinations are also compatible with the data. We computed the minimum sex bias in dispersal (at least 69% of the dispersing individuals are males), a result that would not be available if we had used more classical population genetic models. The power of multilocus population differentiation tests was unexpectedly high, the tests being significant in almost 100% of the replicates, although the observed population structure infered from nuclear markers was extremely low (F ST ϭ 0.6%).

Assessment of genetic diversity and population structure in mungbean

“…In addition, groups of individuals with different geographical locations, behavioral patterns or phenotypes are not necessarily genetically differentiated (Evanno et al, 2005). For example, migratory bats from the same breeding roost could be sampled thousands of kilometers apart in winter (Petit et al, 2001). Forty-two accessions (6.1%) did not fit into one of these two groups since they consist of a mixture of these two primary groups.…”

Does recent habitat fragmentation affect the population genetics of a heathland specialist, Andrena fuscipes (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae)?

“…The significance of these tests was adjusted using standard Bonferroni corrections. This method seems to be particularly efficient for non-random mating populations and a low overall population structure (Petit et al 2001). To test for isolation-by-distance, we calculated pairwise F ST distances based upon Wright's F-statistics (Wright 1951) with the program GenAlEx 6.0 and tested these for a correlation with geographical distances.…”

Analysis of Population Subdivision

“…In that case, the estimation of sex-specific F statistics has been proposed (e.g. Petit et al, 2001;Vitalis, 2002;Fontanillas et al, 2004). It appears that the development of statistical procedures to uncover the demographic or selection history of a set of populations that best explains the observed genetic structure is certainly one of the most interesting challenges of population genetics.…”