Publication
Title
A mitochondrial phylogeographic scenario for the most widespread African rodent, **Mastomys natalensis**
Author
Abstract
In order to evaluate the contribution of geological, environmental, and climatic changes to the spatial distribution of genetic variation of Mastomys natalensis, we analysed cytochrome b sequences from the whole distribution area of the species to infer its phylogeographic structure and historical demography. Six well-supported phylogroups, differentiated during the Pleistocene, were evidenced. No significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances was found at the continental scale, and the geographic distributions of the observed phylogroups have resulted from extensive periods of isolation caused by the presence of putative geographic and ecological barriers. The diversification events were probably influenced by habitat contraction/expansion cycles that may have complemented topographic barriers to induce genetic drift and lineage sorting. According to our results, we propose a scenario where climate-driven processes may have played a primary role in the differentiation among phylogroups.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Biological journal of the Linnean Society. - London
Publication
London : 2013
ISSN
0024-4066 [print]
1095-8312 [online]
DOI
10.1111/BIJ.12013
Volume/pages
108 :4 (2013) , p. 901-916
ISI
000316276700015
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Infectious disease models: wildlife ecology, ecological disturbance and transmission to humans.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 18.04.2013
Last edited 09.10.2023
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