@article{LahTrenseBenkeetal.2016, author = {Lah, Ljerka and Trense, Daronja and Benke, Harald and Berggren, Per and Gunnlaugsson, Þorvaldur and Lockyer, Christina and {\"O}zt{\"u}rk, Ayaka and {\"O}zt{\"u}rk, Bayram and Pawliczka, Iwona and Roos, Anna and Siebert, Ursula and Sk{\´o}ra, Krzysztof and V{\´i}kingsson, G{\´i}sli and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Spatially Explicit Analysis of Genome-Wide SNPs Detects Subtle Population Structure in a Mobile Marine Mammal, the Harbor Porpoise}, series = {PLoS one}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS one}, number = {10}, publisher = {PLoS}, address = {Lawrence, Kan.}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0162792}, pages = {23 Seiten}, year = {2016}, abstract = {The population structure of the highly mobile marine mammal, the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), in the Atlantic shelf waters follows a pattern of significant isolation-by-distance. The population structure of harbor porpoises from the Baltic Sea, which is connected with the North Sea through a series of basins separated by shallow underwater ridges, however, is more complex. Here, we investigated the population differentiation of harbor porpoises in European Seas with a special focus on the Baltic Sea and adjacent waters, using a population genomics approach. We used 2872 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), derived from double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq), as well as 13 microsatellite loci and mitochondrial haplotypes for the same set of individuals. Spatial principal components analysis (sPCA), and Bayesian clustering on a subset of SNPs suggest three main groupings at the level of all studied regions: the Black Sea, the North Atlantic, and the Baltic Sea. Furthermore, we observed a distinct separation of the North Sea harbor porpoises from the Baltic Sea populations, and identified splits between porpoise populations within the Baltic Sea. We observed a notable distinction between the Belt Sea and the Inner Baltic Sea sub-regions. Improved delineation of harbor porpoise population assignments for the Baltic based on genomic evidence is important for conservation management of this endangered cetacean in threatened habitats, particularly in the Baltic Sea proper. In addition, we show that SNPs outperform microsatellite markers and demonstrate the utility of RAD-tags from a relatively small, opportunistically sampled cetacean sample set for population diversity and divergence analysis.}, language = {en} } @article{StephTiedemannPrangeetal.2010, author = {Steph, Silke and Tiedemann, Ralph and Prange, Matthias and Groeneveld, J{\"u}rgen and Schulz, Michael Karl and Timmermann, Axel and N{\"u}rnberg, Dirk and R{\"u}hlemann, Carsten and Saukel, Cornelia and Haug, Gerald H.}, title = {Early Pliocene increase in thermohaline overturning : a precondition for the development of the modern equatorial Pacific cold tongue}, issn = {0883-8305}, doi = {10.1029/2008pa001645}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Unraveling the processes responsible for Earth's climate transition from an "El Nino-like state" during the warm early Pliocene into a modern-like "La Nina-dominated state" currently challenges the scientific community. Recently, the Pliocene climate switch has been linked to oceanic thermocline shoaling at similar to 3 million years ago along with Earth's final transition into a bipolar icehouse world. Here we present Pliocene proxy data and climate model results, which suggest an earlier timing of the Pliocene climate switch and a different chain of forcing mechanisms. We show that the increase in North Atlantic meridional overturning circulation between 4.8 and 4.0 million years ago, initiated by the progressive closure of the Central American Seaway, triggered overall shoaling of the tropical thermocline. This preconditioned the turnaround from a warm eastern equatorial Pacific to the modern equatorial cold tongue state about 1 million years earlier than previously assumed. Since similar to 3.6-3.5 million years ago, the intensification of Northern Hemisphere glaciation resulted in a strengthening of the trade winds, thereby amplifying upwelling and biogenic productivity at low latitudes.}, language = {en} } @article{SilvaIturrizaKetmaierTiedemann2010, author = {Silva-Iturriza, Adriana and Ketmaier, Valerio and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Mitochondrial DNA suggests multiple colonizations of central Philippine islands (Boracay, Negros) by the sedentary Philippine bulbul Hypsipetes philippinus guimarasensis (Aves)}, issn = {0947-5745}, doi = {10.1111/j.1439-0469.2010.00566.x}, year = {2010}, abstract = {In this study, we have used fragments of three mitochondrial genes (Control Region, CR; transfer RNA for methionine, tRNA-Met; NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2, ND2 for a total of 1066 bp) to reconstruct the phylogeographic history of the endemic Philippine bulbul (Hypsipetes philippinus) at the scale of the central area of the Philippine archipelago. The study includes two of the five recognized subspecies (guimarasensis and mindorensis), 7 populations and 58 individuals. Multiple phylogenetic and network analyses support the existence of two reciprocally monophyletic maternal lineages corresponding to the two named subspecies. Molecular clock estimates indicate that the split between the two subspecies is consistent with the Pleistocene geological history of the archipelago. Patterns of relationships within guimarasensis are biogeographically less clear. Here, a combination of vicariance and dispersal needs to be invoked to reconcile the molecular data with the geographical origin of samples. In particular, the two islands Boracay and Negros host mitochondrial lineages that do not form monophyletic clusters. Our genetic data suggest multiple independent colonization events for these locations.}, language = {en} } @article{StuckasTiedemann2006, author = {Stuckas, H and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Eight new microsatellite loci for the critically endangered fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina and their cross- species applicability among anurans}, doi = {10.1111/j.1471-8286.2005.01171.x}, year = {2006}, abstract = {We describe eight new microsatellite loci for the critically endangered fire-bellied toad, Bombina bombina. Seven of them are polymorphic with two to seven alleles per locus, an expected heterozygosity between 0.41 and 0.8, and an observed heterozygosity between 0.27 and 0.7. The yield of new loci was relatively low, presumably due to mildly repetitive sequence motifs in microsatellite flanking regions. As typical for anurans, cross-species amplification was limited (here, to congeners Bombina orientalis and Bombina variegata). Combining these new loci with those already available provides a reasonable number of loci for population studies and pedigree analysis in Bombina}, language = {en} } @article{KetmaierMarroneAlfonsoetal.2012, author = {Ketmaier, Valerio and Marrone, Federico and Alfonso, Giuseppe and Paulus, Kirsten B. and Wiemann, Annika and Tiedemann, Ralph and Mura, Graziella}, title = {Mitochondrial DNA regionalism and historical demography in the extant populations of chirocephalus kerkyrensis (Branchiopoda: Anostraca)}, series = {PLoS one}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS one}, number = {2}, publisher = {PLoS}, address = {San Fransisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0030082}, pages = {11}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: Mediterranean temporary water bodies are important reservoirs of biodiversity and host a unique assemblage of diapausing aquatic invertebrates. These environments are currently vanishing because of increasing human pressure. Chirocephalus kerkyrensis is a fairy shrimp typical of temporary water bodies in Mediterranean plain forests and has undergone a substantial decline in number of populations in recent years due to habitat loss. We assessed patterns of genetic connectivity and phylogeographic history in the seven extant populations of the species from Albania, Corfu Is. (Greece), Southern and Central Italy. Methodology/Principal Findings: We analyzed sequence variation at two mitochondrial DNA genes (Cytochrome Oxidase I and 16s rRNA) in all the known populations of C. kerkyrensis. We used multiple phylogenetic, phylogeographic and coalescence-based approaches to assess connectivity and historical demography across the whole distribution range of the species. C. kerkyrensis is genetically subdivided into three main mitochondrial lineages; two of them are geographically localized (Corfu Is. and Central Italy) and one encompasses a wide geographic area (Albania and Southern Italy). Most of the detected genetic variation (approximate to 81\%) is apportioned among the aforementioned lineages. Conclusions/Significance: Multiple analyses of mismatch distributions consistently supported both past demographic and spatial expansions with the former predating the latter; demographic expansions were consistently placed during interglacial warm phases of the Pleistocene while spatial expansions were restricted to cold periods. Coalescence methods revealed a scenario of past isolation with low levels of gene flow in line with what is already known for other co-distributed fairy shrimps and suggest drift as the prevailing force in promoting local divergence. We recommend that these evolutionary trajectories should be taken in proper consideration in any effort aimed at protecting Mediterranean temporary water bodies.}, language = {en} } @article{SilvaIturrizaKetmaierTiedemann2012, author = {Silva-Iturriza, Adriana and Ketmaier, Valerio and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Profound population structure in the Philippine Bulbul Hypsipetes philippinus (Pycnonotidae, Ayes) is not reflected in its Haemoproteus haemosporidian parasite}, series = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics and infectious diseases (MEEGID)}, volume = {12}, journal = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics and infectious diseases (MEEGID)}, number = {1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1567-1348}, doi = {10.1016/j.meegid.2011.10.024}, pages = {127 -- 136}, year = {2012}, abstract = {In this study we used molecular markers to screen for the occurrence and prevalence of the three most common haemosporidian genera (Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, and Leucocytozoon) in blood samples of the Philippine Bulbul (Hypsipetes philippinus), a thrush-size passerine bird endemic to the Philippine Archipelago. We then used molecular data to ask whether the phylogeographic patterns in this insular host-parasite system might follow similar evolutionary trajectories or not. We took advantage of a previous study describing the pattern of genetic structuring in the Philippine Bulbul across the Central Philippine Archipelago (6 islands, 7 populations and 58 individuals; three mitochondrial DNA genes). The very same birds were here screened for the occurrence of parasites by species-specific PCR assays of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (471 base pairs). Twenty-eight out of the 58 analysed birds had Haemoproteus (48\%) infections while just 2\% of the birds were infected with either Leucocytozoon or Plasmodium. Sixteen of the 28 birds carrying Haemoproteus had multiple infections. The phylogeography of the Philippine Bulbul mostly reflects the geographical origin of samples and it is consistent with the occurrence of two different subspecies on (1) Semirara and (2) Carabao, Boracay, North Gigante, Panay, and Negros, respectively. Haemoproteus phylogeography shows very little geographical structure, suggesting extensive gene flow among locations. While movements of birds among islands seem very sporadic, we found co-occurring evolutionary divergent parasite lineages. We conclude that historical processes have played a major role in shaping the host phylogeography, while they have left no signature in that of the parasites. Here ongoing population processes, possibly multiple reinvasions mediated by other hosts, are predominant.}, language = {en} } @article{StoofLeichsenringEppTrauthetal.2012, author = {Stoof-Leichsenring, Kathleen Rosemarie and Epp, Laura Saskia and Trauth, Martin H. and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Hidden diversity in diatoms of Kenyan Lake Naivasha a genetic approach detects temporal variation}, series = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {21}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, number = {8}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Malden}, issn = {0962-1083}, doi = {10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05412.x}, pages = {1918 -- 1930}, year = {2012}, abstract = {This study provides insights into the morphological and genetic diversity in diatoms occurring in core sediments from tropical lakes in Kenya. We developed a genetic survey technique specific for diatoms utilizing a short region (7667 bp) of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (rbcL) gene as genetic barcode. Our analyses (i) validated the use of rbcL as a barcoding marker for diatoms, applied to sediment samples, (ii) showed a significant correlation between the results obtained by morphological and molecular data and (iii) indicated temporal variation in diatom assemblages on the inter- and intra-specific level. Diatom assemblages from a short core from Lake Naivasha show a drastic shift over the last 200 years, as littoral species (e.g. Navicula) are replaced by more planktonic ones (e.g. Aulacoseira). Within that same period, we detected periodic changes in the respective frequencies of distinct haplotype groups of Navicula, which coincide with wet and dry periods of Lake Naivasha between 1820 and 1938 AD. Our genetic analyses on historical lake sediments revealed inter- and intra-specific variation in diatoms, which is partially hidden behind single morphotypes. The occurrence of particular genetic lineages is probably correlated with environmental factors.}, language = {en} } @article{DolgenerSchroederSchneeweissetal.2012, author = {Dolgener, Nicola and Schr{\"o}der, Christiane and Schneeweiss, N. and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Genetic population structure of the Fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina in an area of high population density implications for conservation}, series = {Hydrobiologia : acta hydrobiologica, hydrographica, limnologica et protistologica}, volume = {689}, journal = {Hydrobiologia : acta hydrobiologica, hydrographica, limnologica et protistologica}, number = {1}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {0018-8158}, doi = {10.1007/s10750-012-1016-1}, pages = {111 -- 120}, year = {2012}, abstract = {In this study, we report the genetic population structure of the Fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina in Brandenburg (East Germany) in the context of conservation. We analysed 298 samples originating from 11 populations in Brandenburg using mitochondrial control region sequences and six polymorphic microsatellite loci. For comparison, we included one population each from Poland and Ukraine into our analysis. Within Brandenburg, we detected a moderate variability in the mitochondrial control region (19 different haplotypes) and at microsatellite loci (9-12 alleles per locus). These polymorphisms revealed a clear population structure among toads in Brandenburg, despite a relatively high overall population density and the moderate size of single populations (100-2000 individuals). The overall genetic population structure is consistent with a postglacial colonization from South East-Europe and a subsequent population expansion. Based on genetic connectivity, we infer Management Units (MUs) as targets for conservation. Our genetic survey identified MUs, within which human infrastructure is currently preventing any genetic exchange. We also detect an unintentional translocation from South East to North West Brandenburg, presumably in the course of fish stocking activities. Provided suitable conservation measures are taken, Brandenburg should continue to harbor large populations of this critically endangered species.}, language = {en} } @article{SammlerHavensteinTiedemann2012, author = {Sammler, Svenja and Havenstein, Katja and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Fourteen new microsatellite markers for the Visayan tarictic hornbill (Penelopides panini) and their cross-species applicability among other endangered Philippine hornbills}, series = {Conservation genetics resources}, volume = {4}, journal = {Conservation genetics resources}, number = {2}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {1877-7252}, doi = {10.1007/s12686-011-9567-4}, pages = {435 -- 438}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Fourteen microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized for the endangered Visayan tarictic hornbill (Penelopides panini, Aves: Bucerotidae). In an analysis of 76 individuals, the number of alleles per locus varied from one to 12. Expected and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.00 to 0.87 and from 0.00 to 0.89, respectively. All primers also amplify microsatellite loci in Luzon tarictic hornbill (Penelopides manillae), Mindanao tarictic hornbill (Penelopides affinis), the critically endangered Walden's hornbill (Aceros waldeni) and the near-threatened writhed hornbill (Aceros leucocephalus). Two loci which are monomorphic in P. panini were found polymorphic in at least one of the other species. These 14 new microsatellite markers specifically developed for two genera of Philippine hornbills, in combination with those already available for the hornbill genera Buceros and Bucorvus, comprise a reasonable number of loci to genetically analyse wild and captive populations of these and probably other related, often endangered hornbills.}, language = {en} } @article{GirndtRieschSchroederetal.2012, author = {Girndt, Antje and Riesch, R{\"u}diger and Schr{\"o}der, Christiane and Sehlupp, Ingo and Plath, Martin and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Multiple paternity in different populations of the sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna}, series = {Animal biology}, volume = {62}, journal = {Animal biology}, number = {3}, publisher = {Brill}, address = {Leiden}, issn = {1570-7555}, doi = {10.1163/157075611X618192}, pages = {245 -- 262}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Rates of multiple paternities were investigated in the sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna), using eight microsatellite loci. Genotyping was performed for offspring and mothers in 40 broods from four allopatric populations from the south-eastern U.S.A. along a geographic stretch of 1200 km in west-east direction and approximately 200 km from north to south. No significant differences regarding rates of multiple paternities were found between populations despite sample populations stemming from ecologically divergent habitats. Even the most conservative statistical approach revealed a minimum of 70\% of the broods being sired by at least two males, with an average of 1.80-2.95 putative fathers per brood. Within broods, one male typically sired far more offspring than would be expected under an assumed equal probability of all detected males siring offspring.}, language = {en} } @article{NahavandiKetmaierTiedemann2012, author = {Nahavandi, Nahid and Ketmaier, Valerio and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Intron structure of the elongation factor 1-alpha gene in the ponto-caspian amphipod pontogammarus maeoticus (Sowinsky, 1894) and its phylogeographic utility}, series = {Journal of crustacean biology}, volume = {32}, journal = {Journal of crustacean biology}, number = {3}, publisher = {Brill}, address = {San Antonio}, issn = {0278-0372}, doi = {10.1163/193724012X626584}, pages = {425 -- 433}, year = {2012}, abstract = {We tested the utility of a 230 base pair intron fragment of the highly conserved nuclear gene Elongation Factor 1-alpha (EF1-alpha) as a proper marker to reconstruct the phylogeography of the marine amphipod Pontogammarus maeoticus (Sowinsky, 1894) from the Caspian and Black Seas. As a prerequisite for further analysis, we confirmed by Southern blot analysis that EF1-alpha is encoded at a single locus in P. maeoticus. We included 15 populations and 60 individuals in the study. Both the phylogeny of the 27 unique alleles found and population genetic analyses revealed a significant differentiation between populations from the aforementioned sea basins. Our results are in remarkable agreement with recent studies on a variety of species from the same area, which invariably support a major phylogeographic break between the Caspian and Black Seas. We thus conclude that our EF1-alpha intron is an informative marker for phylogeographic studies in amphipods at the shallow population level.}, language = {en} } @article{RavaoarimananaTiedemannMontagnonetal.2004, author = {Ravaoarimanana, I. B. and Tiedemann, Ralph and Montagnon, D. and Rumpler, Y.}, title = {Molecular and cytogenetic evidence for cryptic speciation within a rare endemic Malagasy lemur, the Northern Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis)}, issn = {1055-7903}, year = {2004}, abstract = {Evolutionary relationships of different populations of the threatened malagasy lemur Lepilemur septentrimialis were assessed by sequence analysis of mitochondrial DNA (D-loop region and partial Cyt b gene). One hundred and fifty nine samples were collected from five main different localities in the northern part of Madagascar. We applied the phylogenetic species concept based on fixed diagnostic differences to determine the status of different geographical populations. No nucleotide site diagnoses Ankarana from Andrafiamena or Analamera. However, numerous fixed differences separate Sahafary from all other populations. These results were corroborated by phylogenetic trees. As previous cytogenetic studies, our molecular data suggest that two cryptic species of Lepilemur occur in the extreme north of Madagascar. This speciation is probably caused by chromosomal rearrangements in at least one of the evolutionary lineages. Our study comprises another striking example of how molecular genetic assay can detect phylogenetic discontinuities that are not reflected in traditional morphologically based taxonomies. Our study indicates that the Sahafary population is a hitherto undescribed endangered endemic species which urgently needs conservation efforts. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved}, language = {en} } @article{MilinkovitchMonteyneGibbsetal.2004, author = {Milinkovitch, M. C. and Monteyne, D. and Gibbs, J. P. and Fritts, T. H. and Tapia, W. and Snell, H. L. and Tiedemann, Ralph and Caccone, Adalgisa and Powell, J. R.}, title = {Genetic analysis of a successful repatriation programme : giant Galapagos tortoises}, issn = {0962-8452}, year = {2004}, abstract = {As natural populations of endangered species dwindle to precarious levels, remaining members are sometimes brought into captivity, allowed to breed and their offspring returned to the natural habitat. One goal of such repatriation programmes is to retain as much of the genetic variation of the species as possible. A taxon of giant GalApagos tortoises on the island of Espahola has been the subject of a captive breeding-repatriation programme for 33 years. Core breeders, consisting of 12 females and three males, have produced more than 1200 offspring that have been released on Espanola where in situ reproduction has recently been observed. Using microsatellite DNA markers, we have determined the maternity and paternity of 132 repatriated offspring. Contributions of the breeders are highly skewed. This has led to a further loss of genetic variation that is detrimental to the long-term survival of the population. Modifications to the breeding programme could alleviate this problem}, language = {en} } @article{WronskiTiedemannApioetal.2006, author = {Wronski, Torsten and Tiedemann, Ralph and Apio, Ann and Plath, Martin}, title = {Cover, food, competitors and individual densities within bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus female clan home ranges}, year = {2006}, abstract = {We examined factors predicting female densities within the common home ranges of related females ("clans") in bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas, 1776. In this species, each female forms an individual home range, but the home ranges of matrilineal clan members strongly overlap. We found female densities to increase in areas with high canopy cover. Moreover, individual home range sizes tended to decrease with increasing cover. Food plant availability and intruder pressure by two heterospecific competitors did not significantly affect female densities. Apparently, canopy cover is the major limited resource in this species. A possible explanation is that both adult bushbuck and - even more markedly - fawns hide from predators in dense vegetation, in particular in thicket clumps and coalescences. The study shows an effect of habitat properties (eg sufficient canopy cover) on a within-population level in bushbuck, where female densities differ even among proximate clan areas}, language = {en} } @article{SammlerKetmaierHavensteinetal.2012, author = {Sammler, Svenja and Ketmaier, Valerio and Havenstein, Katja and Krause, Ulrike and Curio, Eberhard and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Mitochondrial control region I and microsatellite analyses of endangered Philippine hornbill species (Aves; Bucerotidae) detect gene flow between island populations and genetic diversity loss}, series = {BMC evolutionary biology}, volume = {12}, journal = {BMC evolutionary biology}, number = {25}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1471-2148}, doi = {10.1186/1471-2148-12-203}, pages = {14}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: The Visayan Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides panini) and the Walden's Hornbill (Aceros waldeni) are two threatened hornbill species endemic to the western islands of the Visayas that constitute - between Luzon and Mindanao - the central island group of the Philippine archipelago. In order to evaluate their genetic diversity and to support efforts towards their conservation, we analyzed genetic variation in similar to 600 base pairs (bp) of the mitochondrial control region I and at 12-19 nuclear microsatellite loci. The sampling covered extant populations, still occurring only on two islands (P. panini: Panay and Negros, A. waldeni: only Panay), and it was augmented with museum specimens of extinct populations from neighboring islands. For comparison, their less endangered (= more abundant) sister taxa, the Luzon Tarictic Hornbill (P. manillae) from the Luzon and Polillo Islands and the Writhed Hornbill (A. leucocephalus) from Mindanao Island, were also included in the study. We reconstructed the population history of the two Penelopides species and assessed the genetic population structure of the remaining wild populations in all four species. Results: Mitochondrial and nuclear data concordantly show a clear genetic separation according to the island of origin in both Penelopides species, but also unravel sporadic over-water movements between islands. We found evidence that deforestation in the last century influenced these migratory events. Both classes of markers and the comparison to museum specimens reveal a genetic diversity loss in both Visayan hornbill species, P. panini and A. waldeni, as compared to their more abundant relatives. This might have been caused by local extinction of genetically differentiated populations together with the dramatic decline in the abundance of the extant populations. Conclusions: We demonstrated a loss in genetic diversity of P. panini and A. waldeni as compared to their sister taxa P. manillae and A. leucocephalus. Because of the low potential for gene flow and population exchange across islands, saving of the remaining birds of almost extinct local populations - be it in the wild or in captivity - is particularly important to preserve the species' genetic potential.}, language = {en} } @article{SchroederPokornyDolgeneretal.2012, author = {Schr{\"o}der, Christiane and Pokorny, Ina and Dolgener, Nicola and Herden, Christoph and Drews, Hauke and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Allochthonous individuals in managed populations of the fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina genetic detection and conservation implications}, series = {Limnologica : ecology and management of inland waters}, volume = {42}, journal = {Limnologica : ecology and management of inland waters}, number = {4}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Jena}, issn = {0075-9511}, doi = {10.1016/j.limno.2012.08.008}, pages = {291 -- 298}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The ongoing global amphibian decline calls for an increase of habitat and population management efforts. Pond restoration and construction is more and more accompanied by breeding and translocation programs. However, the appropriateness of translocations as a tool for conservation has been widely debated, as it can cause biodiversity loss through genetic homogenization and can disrupt local adaptation, eventually leading to outbreeding depression. In this study, we investigated the genetic structure of two translocated populations of the critically endangered fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina at its north western distribution edge using supposedly neutral genetic markers (variation in the mitochondrial control region and microsatellites) as well as a marker under selection (major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes). While one of the newly established populations showed the typical genetic composition of surrounding populations, the other was extremely diverged without clear affinity to its putative source. In this population we detected a profound impact of allochthonous individuals: 100\% of the analyzed individuals exhibited a highly divergent mitochondrial haplotype which was otherwise found in Austria. 83\% of them were also assigned to Austria by the analysis of microsatellites. Interestingly, for the adaptive marker (MHC) local alleles were predominant in this population, while only very few alleles were shared with the Austrian population. Probably Mendelian inheritance has reshuffled genotypes such that adaptive local alleles are maintained (here, MHC), while presumably neutral allochthonous alleles dominate at other loci. The release of allochthonous individuals generally increased the genetic variability of the affected population without wiping out locally adaptive genotypes. Thus, outbreeding depression might be less apparent than sometimes thought and natural selection appears strong enough to maintain locally adaptive alleles, at least in functionally important immune system genes.}, language = {en} } @article{FiorentinoManganelliGiustietal.2013, author = {Fiorentino, V. and Manganelli, Giuseppe and Giusti, Folco and Tiedemann, Ralph and Ketmaier, Valerino}, title = {A question of time the land snail Murella muralis (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) reveals constraints on past ecological speciation}, series = {Molecular ecology}, volume = {22}, journal = {Molecular ecology}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0962-1083}, doi = {10.1111/mec.12107}, pages = {170 -- 186}, year = {2013}, abstract = {The lively debate about speciation currently focuses on the relative importance of factors driving population differentiation. While many studies are increasingly producing results on the importance of selection, little is known about the interaction between drift and selection. Moreover, there is still little knowledge on the spatial-temporal scales at which speciation occurs, that is, arrangement of habitat patches, abruptness of habitat transitions, climate and habitat changes interacting with selective forces. To investigate these questions, we quantified variation on a fine geographical scale analysing morphological (shell) and genetic data sets coupled with environmental data in the land snail Murella muralis, endemic to the Mediterranean island of Sicily. Analysis of a fragment of the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I gene (COI) and eight nuclear microsatellite loci showed that genetic variation is highly structured at a very fine spatial scale by local palaeogeographical events and historical population dynamics. Molecular clock estimates, calibrated here specifically for Tyrrhenian land snails, provided a framework of palaeogeographical events responsible for the observed geographical variations and migration routes. Finally, we showed for the first time well-documented lines of evidence of selection in the past, which explains divergence of land snail shell shapes. We suggest that time and palaeogeographical history acted as constraints in the progress along the ecological speciation continuum. Our study shows that testing for correlation among palaeogeography, morphology and genetic data on a fine geographical scale provides information fundamental for a detailed understanding of ecological speciation processes.}, language = {en} } @article{SilvaIturrizaKetmaierTiedemann2012, author = {Silva-Iturriza, Adriana and Ketmaier, Valerio and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites and their host fidelity in the central Philippine islands}, series = {PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL}, volume = {61}, journal = {PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL}, number = {4}, publisher = {ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD}, address = {CLARE}, issn = {1383-5769}, doi = {10.1016/j.parint.2012.07.003}, pages = {650 -- 657}, year = {2012}, abstract = {We examined the prevalence and host fidelity of avian haemosporidian parasites belonging to the genera Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium in the central Philippine islands by sampling 23 bird families (42 species). Using species-specific PCR assays of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene (471 base pairs, bp), we detected infections in 91 of the 215 screened individuals (42\%). We also discriminated between single and multiple infections. Thirty-one infected individuals harbored a single Haemoproteus lineage (14\%), 18 a single Leucocytozoon lineage (8\%) and 12 a single Plasmodium lineage (6\%). Of the 215 screened birds, 30 (14\%) presented different types of multiple infections. Intrageneric mixed infections were generally more common (18 Haemoproteus/Haemoproteus, 3 Leucocytozoon/Leucocytozoon, and 1 Plasmodium/Plasmodium) than intergeneric mixed infections (7 Haemoproteus/Leucocytozoon and 1 Haemoproteus/Leucocytozoon/Plasmodium). We recovered 81 unique haemosporidian mitochondrial haplotypes. These clustered in three strongly supported monophyletic clades that correspond to the three haemosporidian genera. Related lineages of Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon were more likely to derive from the same host family than predicted by chance; however, this was not the case for Plasmodium. These results indicate that switches between host families are more likely to occur in Plasmodium. We conclude that Haemoproteus has undergone a recent diversification across well-supported host-family specific clades, while Leucocytozoon shows a longer association with its host(s). This study supports previous evidence of a higher prevalence and stronger host-family specificity of Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon compared to Plasmodium. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{PavesiTiedemannDeMatthaeisetal.2013, author = {Pavesi, Laura and Tiedemann, Ralph and De Matthaeis, Elvira and Ketmaier, Valerio}, title = {Genetic connectivity between land and sea - the case of the beachflea Orchestia montagui (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Talitridae) in the Mediterranean Sea}, series = {Frontiers in zoology}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in zoology}, number = {4-5}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, issn = {1742-9994}, doi = {10.1186/1742-9994-10-21}, pages = {19}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Introduction: We examined patterns of genetic divergence in 26 Mediterranean populations of the semi-terrestrial beachflea Orchestia montagui using mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase subunit I), microsatellite (eight loci) and allozymic data. The species typically forms large populations within heaps of dead seagrass leaves stranded on beaches at the waterfront. We adopted a hierarchical geographic sampling to unravel population structure in a species living at the sea-land transition and, hence, likely subjected to dramatically contrasting forces. Results: Mitochondrial DNA showed historical phylogeographic breaks among Adriatic, Ionian and the remaining basins (Tyrrhenian, Western and Eastern Mediterranean Sea) likely caused by the geological and climatic changes of the Pleistocene. Microsatellites (and to a lesser extent allozymes) detected a further subdivision between and within the Western Mediterranean and the Tyrrhenian Sea due to present-day processes. A pattern of isolation by distance was not detected in any of the analyzed data set. Conclusions: We conclude that the population structure of O. montagui is the result of the interplay of two contrasting forces that act on the species population genetic structure. On one hand, the species semi-terrestrial life style would tend to determine the onset of local differences. On the other hand, these differences are partially counter-balanced by passive movements of migrants via rafting on heaps of dead seagrass leaves across sites by sea surface currents. Approximate Bayesian Computations support dispersal at sea as prevalent over terrestrial regionalism.}, language = {en} } @article{MilinkovitchKanitzTiedemannetal.2013, author = {Milinkovitch, Michel C. and Kanitz, Ricardo and Tiedemann, Ralph and Tapia, Washington and Llerena, Fausto and Caccone, Adalgisa and Gibbs, James P. and Powell, Jeffrey R.}, title = {Recovery of a nearly extinct Galapagos tortoise despite minimal genetic variation}, series = {Evolutionary applications}, volume = {6}, journal = {Evolutionary applications}, number = {2}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1752-4571}, doi = {10.1111/eva.12014}, pages = {377 -- 383}, year = {2013}, abstract = {A species of Galapagos tortoise endemic to Espanola Island was reduced to just 12 females and three males that have been bred in captivity since 1971 and have produced over 1700 offspring now repatriated to the island. Our molecular genetic analyses of juveniles repatriated to and surviving on the island indicate that none of the tortoises sampled in 1994 had hatched on the island versus 3\% in 2004 and 24\% in 2007, which demonstrates substantial and increasing reproduction in situ once again. This recovery occurred despite the parental population having an estimated effective population size <8 due to a combination of unequal reproductive success of the breeders and nonrandom mating in captivity. These results provide guidelines for adapting breeding regimes in the parental captive population and decreasing inbreeding in the repatriated population. Using simple morphological data scored on the sampled animals, we also show that a strongly heterogeneous distribution of tortoise sizes on Espanola Island observed today is due to a large variance in the number of animals included in yearly repatriation events performed in the last 40years. Our study reveals that, at least in the short run, some endangered species can recover dramatically despite a lack of genetic variation and irregular repatriation efforts.}, language = {en} }