Dispersal route of the Asian house rat (Rattus tanezumi) on mainland China: insights from microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rattus tanezumi is a common commensal rat and an important host animal of bubonic plague in South China and Southeast Asia. The northward dispersal of this species in mainland China has been reported in recent decades, along with more recent intercontinental expansion. Population genetics of R. tanezumi in mainland China were studied to explain the relationship between dispersal history and the ancient and modern transportation networks of China.

Results

In total, 502 individuals belonging to 18 populations were collected from 13 provincial areas. Nine microsatellite loci and two mtDNA sequences were analyzed. The results indicate that R. tanezumi populations from Yunnan have highest genetic diversity and populations from Tibet with lowest genetic diversity. 18 po

SUBMITTER: Guo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6341715 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature