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Published on: August 12, 2019
Commensalism facilitates gene flow in mountains: a comparison between two Rattus species
1National Centre for Biological Sciences, TIFR, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, India.
Commensal rats (Rattus rattus) show lower genetic differentiation and higher migration than non-commensal rats (Rattus satarae) in complex landscapes, due to human-assisted dispersal.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Geographical barriers significantly impact small mammal dispersal.
- Commensal species can overcome these barriers through human-mediated transport, especially in complex terrains like mountain ranges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how human association affects population genetic differentiation and migration rates in commensal versus non-commensal small mammals.
- To compare the genetic structure of two sympatric Rattus species in the Western Ghats, India.
Main Methods:
- Population genetic analyses were conducted on two species: Rattus rattus (commensal) and Rattus satarae (non-commensal).
- Mitochondrial DNA control region (~970 bp) and 17 microsatellite loci were used.
- Genetic differentiation (F-statistics) and clustering were analyzed across seven sampling locations.
Main Results:
- Rattus satarae exhibited higher genetic differentiation (Fst mtDNA=0.420, Fst microsatellite=0.065) compared to Rattus rattus (Fst mtDNA=0.195, Fst microsatellite=0.034).
- Genetic clustering revealed more distinct and less admixed populations in R. satarae than in R. rattus.
- R. satarae showed a steeper isolation-by-distance pattern, suggesting limited dispersal.
Conclusions:
- Human association significantly influences the dispersal patterns and genetic structure of commensal rodents.
- Rattus rattus demonstrates greater adaptability and gene flow in human-modified landscapes, impacting its evolutionary trajectory.
- The study highlights the role of human activity in shaping the genetic landscape of commensal species.
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