Spatial genetic characterization of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the area between the Alps and the Central Dinaric Mountains
Red fox, Vulpes vulpes, is a globally distributed species characterized by its high adaptability to diverse habitats and a broad range of food resources. This remarkable adaptability has allowed the red fox to thrive in various environments, from urban areas to remote wilderness. In this study, we u...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Vavilov Society of Geneticists and Breeders
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Вавиловский журнал генетики и селекции |
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| Online Access: | https://vavilov.elpub.ru/jour/article/view/4348 |
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| author | A. Devedžić F. F. Urzi B. Pokorny G. Vengušt D. Ž. Vengušt F. Janžekovič L. Velić T. Eterović B. K. Stroil E. Bužan |
| author_facet | A. Devedžić F. F. Urzi B. Pokorny G. Vengušt D. Ž. Vengušt F. Janžekovič L. Velić T. Eterović B. K. Stroil E. Bužan |
| author_sort | A. Devedžić |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Red fox, Vulpes vulpes, is a globally distributed species characterized by its high adaptability to diverse habitats and a broad range of food resources. This remarkable adaptability has allowed the red fox to thrive in various environments, from urban areas to remote wilderness. In this study, we used a set of microsatellite markers for the comparative genetic analysis of red fox populations from two countries. We included populations from the Eastern Alps and the northern Dinaric Mountains in Slovenia, as well as the Central Dinaric Mountains in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We successfully isolated DNA and genotyped 118 red fox samples. Our analyses, which included Bayesian clustering techniques, revealed a weak genetic differentiation among the studied populations. However, it is noteworthy that statistically significant differences in estimates of genetic differentiation were only apparent when comparing the populations between the two countries. Further spatial genetic clustering analyses provided additional insights, unveiling a differentiation into four genetic clusters. These clusters comprised two distinct groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina and two in Slovenia. This pattern of differentiation suggests that isolation by distance is a key factor influencing the genetic structure of the red fox in this studied region. Additionally, our findings highlighted that populations from the Alps and northern Dinaric Mountains exhibit higher genetic diversity and observed heterozygosity compared to their counterparts in the Central Dinaric Mountains. The genetic diversity is also notable when compared to other European red fox populations. Studying genetic diversity is crucial for the resilience and adaptability of populations, ensuring their survival amid environmental changes and human-induced pressures. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0ffa14ed980048ea9f97d23b1000c88b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2500-3259 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Vavilov Society of Geneticists and Breeders |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Вавиловский журнал генетики и селекции |
| spelling | doaj-art-0ffa14ed980048ea9f97d23b1000c88b2025-02-01T09:58:13ZengSiberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Vavilov Society of Geneticists and BreedersВавиловский журнал генетики и селекции2500-32592024-11-0128775275810.18699/vjgb-24-831510Spatial genetic characterization of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the area between the Alps and the Central Dinaric MountainsA. Devedžić0F. F. Urzi1B. Pokorny2G. Vengušt3D. Ž. Vengušt4F. Janžekovič5L. Velić6T. Eterović7B. K. Stroil8E. Bužan9Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of MariborFaculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of PrimorskaFaculty of Environmental ProtectionVeterinary Faculty, University of LjubljanaVeterinary Faculty, University of LjubljanaFaculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of MariborFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of SarajevoFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of SarajevoInstitute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of SarajevoFaculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of PrimorskaRed fox, Vulpes vulpes, is a globally distributed species characterized by its high adaptability to diverse habitats and a broad range of food resources. This remarkable adaptability has allowed the red fox to thrive in various environments, from urban areas to remote wilderness. In this study, we used a set of microsatellite markers for the comparative genetic analysis of red fox populations from two countries. We included populations from the Eastern Alps and the northern Dinaric Mountains in Slovenia, as well as the Central Dinaric Mountains in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We successfully isolated DNA and genotyped 118 red fox samples. Our analyses, which included Bayesian clustering techniques, revealed a weak genetic differentiation among the studied populations. However, it is noteworthy that statistically significant differences in estimates of genetic differentiation were only apparent when comparing the populations between the two countries. Further spatial genetic clustering analyses provided additional insights, unveiling a differentiation into four genetic clusters. These clusters comprised two distinct groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina and two in Slovenia. This pattern of differentiation suggests that isolation by distance is a key factor influencing the genetic structure of the red fox in this studied region. Additionally, our findings highlighted that populations from the Alps and northern Dinaric Mountains exhibit higher genetic diversity and observed heterozygosity compared to their counterparts in the Central Dinaric Mountains. The genetic diversity is also notable when compared to other European red fox populations. Studying genetic diversity is crucial for the resilience and adaptability of populations, ensuring their survival amid environmental changes and human-induced pressures.https://vavilov.elpub.ru/jour/article/view/4348red foxvulpes vulpesmicrosatellitesgenetic diversitydinaric mountains |
| spellingShingle | A. Devedžić F. F. Urzi B. Pokorny G. Vengušt D. Ž. Vengušt F. Janžekovič L. Velić T. Eterović B. K. Stroil E. Bužan Spatial genetic characterization of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the area between the Alps and the Central Dinaric Mountains Вавиловский журнал генетики и селекции red fox vulpes vulpes microsatellites genetic diversity dinaric mountains |
| title | Spatial genetic characterization of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the area between the Alps and the Central Dinaric Mountains |
| title_full | Spatial genetic characterization of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the area between the Alps and the Central Dinaric Mountains |
| title_fullStr | Spatial genetic characterization of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the area between the Alps and the Central Dinaric Mountains |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spatial genetic characterization of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the area between the Alps and the Central Dinaric Mountains |
| title_short | Spatial genetic characterization of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the area between the Alps and the Central Dinaric Mountains |
| title_sort | spatial genetic characterization of the red fox vulpes vulpes in the area between the alps and the central dinaric mountains |
| topic | red fox vulpes vulpes microsatellites genetic diversity dinaric mountains |
| url | https://vavilov.elpub.ru/jour/article/view/4348 |
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