Dataset Information

Historical domestication-driven population expansion of the dung beetle Gymnopleurus mopsus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from its last refuge in Mongolia.

ABSTRACT: Populations of Gymnopleurus mopsus (family Scarabaeidae), a dung beetle that displays dung-rolling behavior (i.e., a telecoprid), have recently experienced sharp declines, and many populations are now at high risk of local extinction. However, Mongolia, which constitutes a major portion of the species' distribution, still sustains a relatively large population. Here, we used mitochondrial COI sequences to investigate the within-population genetic diversity and both the genetic and phylogeographic structures of 24 G. mopsus populations across the species' main distribution in Mongolia. Several lines of evidence indicated that the phylogeographic structure of G. mopsus had been influenced by a recent and sudden demographic expansion. Interestingly, the expansion of Mongolia's G. mopsus population corresponded to the advent of livestock domestication in the region, and the species' genetic structure coincided with road networks, which presumably serve as migration routes for livestock that might mediate the beetle's dispersal. In addition, we also found that G. mopsus possesses high levels of haplotype diversity, which is generally indicative of large effective population sizes (Ne). Overall, the present study contributes to the current understanding of G. mopsus' demographic history and dispersal patterns and also provides valuable information for the species' conservation and management.

SUBMITTER: Kang JH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5834528 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Historical domestication-driven population expansion of the dung beetle Gymnopleurus mopsus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from its last refuge in Mongolia.

Kang Ji Hyoun JH Lim Chang Seob CS Park Sung Hwan SH Seok Sang Woo SW Yoon Tae Joong TJ Bayartogtokh Badamdorj B Bae Yeon Jae YJ

Scientific reports 20180302 1

Populations of Gymnopleurus mopsus (family Scarabaeidae), a dung beetle that displays dung-rolling behavior (i.e., a telecoprid), have recently experienced sharp declines, and many populations are now at high risk of local extinction. However, Mongolia, which constitutes a major portion of the species' distribution, still sustains a relatively large population. Here, we used mitochondrial COI sequences to investigate the within-population genetic diversity and both the genetic and phylogeographi ...[more]

PMID: 29500426

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Dataset Information

Historical domestication-driven population expansion of the dung beetle Gymnopleurus mopsus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from its last refuge in Mongolia.

Publications

Historical domestication-driven population expansion of the dung beetle Gymnopleurus mopsus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from its last refuge in Mongolia.

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