Detailed population genetic structure of two migratory cryptic species (Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus) in continental Europe

BRYJA, Josef, Peter KAŇUCH, Alena FORNŮSKOVÁ, Tomáš BARTONIČKA and Zdeněk ŘEHÁK. Detailed population genetic structure of two migratory cryptic species (Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus) in continental Europe. In Program and Abstracts, XIV International Bat Research Conference. 2007.

Basic information

• Original name: Detailed population genetic structure of two migratory cryptic species (Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus) in continental Europe
• Name in Czech: Podrobná populačně genetická struktura dvou migrujících kryptických druhů (Pipistrellus pipistrellus a P. pygmaeus) v kontinetální Evropě
• Authors: BRYJA, Josef (203 Czech Republic), Peter KAŇUCH (703 Slovakia), Alena FORNŮSKOVÁ (203 Czech Republic), Tomáš BARTONIČKA (203 Czech Republic) and Zdeněk ŘEHÁK (203 Czech Republic, guarantor).
• Edition: Program and Abstracts, XIV International Bat Research Conference, 2007.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Conference abstract
• Field of Study: 10600 1.6 Biological sciences
• Country of publisher: Mexico
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14310/07:00020838
• Organization unit: Faculty of Science
• Keywords in English: microsatellites; genetic structuring; pipistrelles
• Tags: genetic structuring, microsatellites, pipistrelles
• Tags: International impact

Abstract

Ecological and behavioural variations are often the most visible features of morphologically very similar species. Two recently discovered European cryptic species Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus differ in some aspects (e.g. calls, foraging, roosts, activity). To test if the migration and hibernation behaviour differs between species, we screened historical (preserved museum samples) and recent (wing membrane tissues) material from underground mass hibernacula and sites of mass autumn invasions of pipistrelle bats (116 individuals, 10 localities). Using a PCR based species identification method we found no records of P. pygmaeus in this material. By examining the degree of population subdivision, a greater understanding of seasonal movements may be attained. Long migratory species may be expected to show low levels of genetic structuring. To compare genetic structure of both species, 15 polymorphic microsatellite markers were used. From 2006 to 2007 we collected wing membrane tissues from individuals of maternity colonies of P. pipistrellus (N over 250 ind.) and P. pygmaeus (N over 200 ind.), respectively. Colonies were in 20 to 700 km distance from each other, across the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine. In spite of possible different mating behaviour in P. pygmaeus (not confirmed mass roosting in autumn and winter), genetic structuring of both species was very low and there were no signs of isolation by distance. It indicates high level of gene flow among populations even when separated by large geographic distances. Results suggest that mating during autumn migration or during hibernation is important means of gene flow among populations. Future analysis of mtDNA structure can bring additional information about the relative importance of males and females mediated gene flow.

Abstract (in Czech)

Ecological and behavioural variations are often the most visible features of morphologically very similar species. Two recently discovered European cryptic species Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus differ in some aspects (e.g. calls, foraging, roosts, activity). To test if the migration and hibernation behaviour differs between species, we screened historical (preserved museum samples) and recent (wing membrane tissues) material from underground mass hibernacula and sites of mass autumn invasions of pipistrelle bats (116 individuals, 10 localities). Using a PCR based species identification method we found no records of P. pygmaeus in this material. By examining the degree of population subdivision, a greater understanding of seasonal movements may be attained. Long migratory species may be expected to show low levels of genetic structuring. To compare genetic structure of both species, 15 polymorphic microsatellite markers were used. From 2006 to 2007 we collected wing membrane tissues from individuals of maternity colonies of P. pipistrellus (N over 250 ind.) and P. pygmaeus (N over 200 ind.), respectively. Colonies were in 20 to 700 km distance from each other, across the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine. In spite of possible different mating behaviour in P. pygmaeus (not confirmed mass roosting in autumn and winter), genetic structuring of both species was very low and there were no signs of isolation by distance. It indicates high level of gene flow among populations even when separated by large geographic distances. Results suggest that mating during autumn migration or during hibernation is important means of gene flow among populations. Future analysis of mtDNA structure can bring additional information about the relative importance of males and females mediated gene flow.

Links

• GA206/06/0954, research and development project: Name: Vnitrodruhová variabilita populací dvou kryptických druhů netopýrů rodu Pipistrellus ve střední Evropě

Investor: Czech Science Foundation, Intraspecific variability of populations of two cryptic bat species of genus Pipistrellus in Central Europe

• MSM0021622416, plan (intention): Name: Diverzita biotických společenstev a populací: kauzální analýza variability v prostoru a čase

Investor: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the CR, Diversity of Biotic Communities and Populations: Causal Analysis of variation in space and time