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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Historical connections among river basins and climatic changes explain the biogeographic history of a water rat

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Author(s):
Dalapicolla, Jeronymo [1, 2] ; Reis Leite, Yuri Luiz [1]
Total Authors: 2
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Espirito Santo, Dept Ciencias Biol, Vitoria, ES - Brazil
[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Dept Ciencias Biol, Piracicaba, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: PeerJ; v. 6, JUL 27 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Background. The water rat Nectomys squamipes (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae) is a semiaquatic rodent from eastern South America that shows shallow genetic structure across space, according to some studies. We tested the influence of hydrography and climatic changes on the genetic and phylogeographic structure of this semiaquatic small mammal. Methods. DNA sequences of two mitochondrial genetic markers (Cyt b and D-loop) and six microsatellite loci from water rats were collected at 50 localities in five river basins in the Atlantic Forest along the eastern coast of South America. We evaluated the genetic structure within and among river basins, and we estimated divergence dates. Species distribution models for the present and past were built to identify possible gene flow paths. Results. Mitochondrial data and species distribution models showed coherent results. Microsatellite loci showed a more complex pattern of genetic differentiation. The diversification of N. squamipes haplotypes occurred during the Pleistocene and the river basin cannot explain most of the genetic structure. We found evidence of population expansion during the last glacial maximum, and gene flow paths indicate historical connections among rivers in the Atlantic Forest. Discussion. Historical connections among rivers in the Atlantic Forest may have allowed N. squamipes to disperse farther across and within basins, leading to shallow genetic structure. Population expansions and gene flow through the emerged continental shelf during glacial period support the Atlantis forest hypothesis, thus challenging the forest refuge hypothesis. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 15/02853-6 - Integrative taxonomy of the genus Proechimys (Rodentia: Echimydae) from Western Amazon
Grantee:Jeronymo Dalapicolla
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 16/24464-4 - Phylogeography of two sympatric species of spiny rats from the Western Amazon
Grantee:Jeronymo Dalapicolla
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate