Unidirectional Mitochondrial Introgression Despite Limited Nuclear Admixture in North American Red-Backed Voles, <i>Clethrionomys rutilus</i> and <i>C. gapperi</i>.

ABSTRACT: Allopatric divergence can result in the evolution of incomplete reproductive barriers, which are put to the test when species come into secondary contact. North American red-backed voles (Clethrionomys rutilus, C. gapperi) form a broad contact zone, presenting an opportunity to investigate outcomes of secondary contact. Using RADseq data for > 200 red-backed vole specimens across three transects of the contact zone (Southeast Alaska, British Columbia, Northwest Territories), we test for evidence of admixture and describe the biogeographic history of each region. We find limited evidence for nuclear admixture, but by analyzing nuclear and mitochondrial RAD loci separately, we detect extensive unidirectional mitochondrial introgression. In British Columbia, the pattern of miton

SUBMITTER: Wiens BJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12665433 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature