Integrating population genetics to define conservation units from the core to the edge of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum western range.

ABSTRACT: The greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) is among the most widespread bat species in Europe but it has experienced severe declines, especially in Northern Europe. This species is listed Near Threatened in the European IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals, and it is considered to be highly sensitive to human activities and particularly to habitat fragmentation. Therefore, understanding the population boundaries and demographic history of populations of this species is of primary importance to assess relevant conservation strategies. In this study, we used 17 microsatellite markers to assess the genetic diversity, the genetic structure, and the demographic history of R. ferrumequinum colonies in the western part of its distribution. We identified one large po

SUBMITTER: Tournayre O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6854333 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature