TY - JOUR
T1 - Wolf genetic diversity compared across Europe using the yardstick method
AU - Jan, Maja
AU - Stronen, Astrid Vik
AU - Boljte, Barbara
AU - Černe, Rok
AU - Huber, Đuro
AU - Iosif, Ruben
AU - Kljun, Franc
AU - Konec, Marjeta
AU - Kos, Ivan
AU - Krofel, Miha
AU - Kusak, Josip
AU - Luštrik, Roman
AU - Majić Skrbinšek, Aleksandra
AU - Promberger–Füerpass, Barbara
AU - Potočnik, Hubert
AU - Rigg, Robin
AU - Trontelj, Peter
AU - Skrbinšek, Tomaž
N1 - © 2023. Springer Nature Limited.
PY - 2023/8/22
Y1 - 2023/8/22
N2 - Integrating data across studies with traditional microsatellite genetic markers requires careful calibration and represents an obstacle for investigation of wide-ranging species where populations require transboundary management. We used the “yardstick” method to compare results published across Europe since 2002 and new wolf (Canis lupus) genetic profiles from the Carpathian Mountains in Central Europe and the Dinaric Mountains in Southeastern Europe, with the latter as our reference population. We compared each population with Dinaric wolves, considering only shared markers (range 4–17). For each population, we calculated standard genetic diversity indices plus calibrated heterozygosity (Hec) and allelic richness (Ac). Hec and Ac in Dinaric (0.704 and 9.394) and Carpathian wolves (0.695 and 7.023) were comparable to those observed in other large and mid-sized European populations, but smaller than those of northeastern Europe. Major discrepancies in marker choices among some studies made comparisons more difficult. However, the yardstick method, including the new measures of Hec and Ac, provided a direct comparison of genetic diversity values among wolf populations and an intuitive interpretation of the results. The yardstick method thus permitted the integration of diverse sources of publicly available microsatellite data for spatiotemporal genetic monitoring of evolutionary potential.
AB - Integrating data across studies with traditional microsatellite genetic markers requires careful calibration and represents an obstacle for investigation of wide-ranging species where populations require transboundary management. We used the “yardstick” method to compare results published across Europe since 2002 and new wolf (Canis lupus) genetic profiles from the Carpathian Mountains in Central Europe and the Dinaric Mountains in Southeastern Europe, with the latter as our reference population. We compared each population with Dinaric wolves, considering only shared markers (range 4–17). For each population, we calculated standard genetic diversity indices plus calibrated heterozygosity (Hec) and allelic richness (Ac). Hec and Ac in Dinaric (0.704 and 9.394) and Carpathian wolves (0.695 and 7.023) were comparable to those observed in other large and mid-sized European populations, but smaller than those of northeastern Europe. Major discrepancies in marker choices among some studies made comparisons more difficult. However, the yardstick method, including the new measures of Hec and Ac, provided a direct comparison of genetic diversity values among wolf populations and an intuitive interpretation of the results. The yardstick method thus permitted the integration of diverse sources of publicly available microsatellite data for spatiotemporal genetic monitoring of evolutionary potential.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85168690943&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/s41598-023-40834-x
DO - 10.1038/s41598-023-40834-x
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 37608038
AN - SCOPUS:85168690943
SN - 2045-2322
VL - 13
JO - Scientific Reports
JF - Scientific Reports
M1 - 13727
ER -