Next-generation phylogeography resolves post-glacial colonization patterns in a widespread carnivore, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), in Europe

Allan McDevitt, Ilaria Coscia, Samuel Browett, Aritz Ruiz-González, Mark Statham, Iwona Ruczyńska, Liam Roberts, Joanna Stojak, Alain C Frantz, Karin Norén, Erik O Ågren, Jane Learmount, Mafalda Basto, Carlos Fernandes, Peter Stuart, David G. Tosh, Magda Sindicic, Tibor Andreanszky, Marja Isomursu, Marek PanekAndrey Korolev, Innokentiy M Okhlopkov, Alexander P Savelijev, Boštjan Pokorny, Katarina Flajšman, Stephen WR Harrison, Vladimir Lobkov, Duško Ćirović, Jacinta Mullins, Cino Pertoldi, Ettore Randi, Benjamin N Sacks, Rafał Kowalczyk, Jan M Wójcik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Carnivores tend to exhibit a lack of (or less pronounced) genetic structure at continental scales in both a geographic and temporal sense and this can confound the identification of post-glacial colonization patterns in this group. In this study we used genome-wide data (using genotyping by sequencing [GBS]) to reconstruct the phylogeographic history of a widespread carnivore, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes), by investigating broad-scale patterns of genomic variation, differentiation and admixture amongst contemporary populations in Europe. Using 15,003 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 524 individuals allowed us to identify the importance of refugial regions for the red fox in terms of endemism (e.g., Iberia). In addition, we tested multiple post-glacial recolonization scenarios of previously glaciated regions during the Last Glacial Maximum using an Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) approach that were unresolved from previous studies. This allowed us to identify the role of admixture from multiple source population post-Younger Dryas in the case of Scandinavia and ancient land-bridges in the colonization of the British Isles. A natural colonization of Ireland was deemed more likely than an ancient human-mediated introduction as has previously been proposed and potentially points to a larger mammalian community on the island in the early post-glacial period. Using genome-wide data has allowed us to tease apart broad-scale patterns of structure and diversity in a widespread carnivore in Europe that was not evident from using more limited marker sets and provides a foundation for next-generation phylogeographic studies in other non-model species.
Original languageEnglish (Ireland)
Pages (from-to)993 - 1006
Number of pages14
JournalMolecular Ecology
Volume31
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2022

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