RAPD-PCR molecular analysis of the threatened Cabrera’s vole populations in the Iberian Peninsula
Alasaad S., Rozhkovan K.V., Atopkin D.M., Sánchez A., Garrido-García J., Romero I., Soriguer R.C., Chelomina G.N.
В журналеAfrican Journal of Biotechnology
Год: 2013 Том: 12 Номер: 26 Страницы: 4065-4073
Optimal management and conservation programs of the threatened Cabrera’s vole require investigating potential molecular genetic markers in the genomic background, if the few remaining fragile
populations are to be conserved. A collection of 30 Cabrera’s vole representing four populations in
Spain and Portugal was characterized by 134 RAPD-PCR markers. Molecular analyses did not detect
low level of the genetic diversity or population bottlenecks in all studied populations, in discordance
with the expectation of low level of viability of the Cabrera’s vole. The results described Cabrera’s vole
populations as a single genetic unit with slightly restricted gene flow. Phylogenetic reconstruction
suggested genetic differentiation between northern and southern Cabrera’s vole populations, with the
basal branches formed by the southern populations, which may be an evidence of the southern origin
of Iberian vole ancestral population. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the genetic diversity of
Microtus cabrerae, which may have further application for the conservation programs of this threatened
species of Iberian vole.