Genetic Diversity And Population Structure Of Rhinolophus Ferrumequinum In China Based On Microsatellite

Rhinolophus ferrumequinum is the only bat species of Rhinolophus distributed in the northeast of China. And the distribution goes across the Palaearctic and Oriental region. As an important model species, R. ferrumequinum is used to study gene flow between the two faunal regions, as well as the quaternary climatic oscillations, and the affect of geological events to Chiroptera diversity in China.Rhinolophus ferrumequinum was sampled from 12 provinces in China from 2005 to 2010. We used microsatellite makers to study the genetic diversity and population structure of R. ferrumequinum. The result of seven microsatellite loci analysis indicated that the genetic diversity of R. ferrumequinum in China was lower than that in Europe. Alleles richness was only 2.4-3.6, and average observed heterozygosity was 0.38, which suggested the gradually decreased numbers as well as population fragment. Meanwhile, the genetic vatiation analysis showed significant genetic differentiation among the total populations. But the major genetic diversity appeared within populations. Three lineages, northeast clade, central-east clade and southwest clade, were discovered by the N-J tree and Bayesian cluster analysis. With the method of molecular variance analysis throughout the whole greater horseshoe bat data, three groups showed significant genetic differentiation. However, the variation within populations showed the greatest contribution to the overall variance. Mantel test revealed a significant correlation between the genetic distance and geographic distance, namely according with the isolated-by-distance (IBD),which suggested the geographic distance was one reason of population differentiation. And Qinling mountain also may be a geographical barrier to gene flow between the eastern colony and southwestern colony.Rhinolophus ferrumequinum showed different distribution structure in mainland China. Because of the different geographical location, topography, climate et al, we suggested three lineages may represent different glacial refuge with combining the results of previous studies. So the three lineages should be divided into three different manage units. However, microsatellite data indicated less differences of genetic diversity among three lineages. Therefore, we should give them the same degree of attention and concern from the perspective of protection.