The genetic structure of the Lithuanian wolf population

Abstract

Lithuanian wolves form part of the larger Baltic population, the distribution of which is continuous across the region. In this paper, we evaluate the genetic diversity of the Lithuanian wolf population using mitochondrial DNA analysis and 29 autosomal microsatellite loci. Analysis of the mtDNA control region (647 bp) revealed 5 haplotypes distributed among 29 individuals and high haplotype diversity (0.658). Two haplotypes were distributed across the country, whilst the others were restricted to eastern Lithuania. Analysis of microsatellites revealed high heterozygosity (HE=0.709) and no evidence for a recent bottleneck. Using detection of first generation migrants, four individuals appeared to assign better with populations genetically differentiated from those resident in Lithuania. These immigrants were males carrying rare mitochondrial haplotypes and were encountered in the eastern part of the country, this indicates that Lithuania is subject to immigration from differentiated populations. Additionally, we did not detect any signs of recent hybridisation with dogs.

Spatial Genetic Analyses Reveal Cryptic Population Structure and Migration Patterns in a Continuously Harvested Grey Wolf (Canis lupus) Population in North-Eastern Europe

“…In Finland [77,78,79] and Lithuania [80], where hunting pressure is low and immigration moderate, no population structuring has been observed. Therefore, on the basis of immigration alone, the much smaller territory of Estonia and Latvia might be expected to exhibit no population structuring at all.…”

Wolf population genetics inEurope: a systematic review, meta‐analysis and suggestions for conservation and management

“…The Baltic wolf population is distributed throughout Estonia (200–260), Latvia (200–400), Lithuania (∼300) and north‐eastern Poland (270–360), comprising 900–1400 animals in total. As in other parts of Europe, the Baltic wolf population experienced near‐extermination in the 1970s and 1980s (Jędrzejewski et al., ; Baltrūnaitė, Balčiauskas & Åkesson, ), leaving signs of genetic bottlenecks in wolves from Estonia, Latvia (Hindrikson et al., ; Plumer et al., ) and neighbouring Russia (Sastre et al., ). In general, the Baltic population exhibits relatively high levels of heterozygosity compared with many other European wolf populations (Jędrzejewski et al., ; Baltrūnaitė et al., ; Czarnomska et al., ; Hindrikson et al., ).…”

“…As in other parts of Europe, the Baltic wolf population experienced near‐extermination in the 1970s and 1980s (Jędrzejewski et al., ; Baltrūnaitė, Balčiauskas & Åkesson, ), leaving signs of genetic bottlenecks in wolves from Estonia, Latvia (Hindrikson et al., ; Plumer et al., ) and neighbouring Russia (Sastre et al., ). In general, the Baltic population exhibits relatively high levels of heterozygosity compared with many other European wolf populations (Jędrzejewski et al., ; Baltrūnaitė et al., ; Czarnomska et al., ; Hindrikson et al., ). Moreover, a cryptic genetic structuring has been found in the Estonian–Latvian part of this population (Hindrikson et al., ) and the authors proposed that the four genetic groups identified reflect recent population bottlenecks, severe hunting pressure and immigration.…”

“…Similarly, there is a lack of knowledge on gene flow with neighbouring populations. Hybridization with dogs has been identified in Latvia, Estonia and northern Poland (Andersone et al., ; Hindrikson et al., ; Stronen et al., ), but not in Lithuania (Baltrūnaitė et al., ). However, the rate of introgressive hybridization has not yet been determined; if high, it can pose a threat to wolf long‐term adaptive potential (Table ), or produce a different evolutionary trajectory, towards another kind of canid (possibly well adapted to modified landscapes) and away from the historial ecological role of wolves.…”

Change in Word Meanings as One of the Features Signifying the Development of Computer Terms

“…Metaforiniai terminai -perkeltinės reikšmės žodžiai ar viena iš sudėtinių pastovaus žodžių junginio dalių, turinti tokią (perkeltinę) reikšmę, kuria įvardijama speciali mokslo, technikos, meno ar kitos visuomenės gyvenimo srities sąvoka (Baltrūnaitė 1998). Metaforiniai terminai priklauso kalbinių (leksinių, leksikalizuotų, negyvų, mirusių, nominatyvinių ir kt.)…”