Journal Article
Spatial and temporal patterns of neutral and adaptive genetic variation in the endangered African wild dog ( Lycaon pictus )
CLARE D. MARSDEN; ROSIE WOODROFFE; MICHAEL G. L. MILLS; J. WELDON McNUTT; SCOTT CREEL; ROSEMARY GROOM; MASENGA EMMANUEL; SARAH CLEAVELAND; PIETER KAT; GREGORY S.A. RASMUSSEN; JOSHUA GINSBERG; ROBIN LINES; JEAN‐MARC ANDRÉ; COLLEEN BEGG; ROBERT K. WAYNE; BARBARA K. MABLE
Molecular Ecology · Vol. 21, Issue 6 · pp. 1379-1393 · 2012
Abstract
Deciphering patterns of genetic variation within a species is essential for understanding population structure, local adaptation and differences in diversity between populations. Whilst neutrally evolving genetic markers can be used to elucidate demographic processes and genetic structure, they are not subject to selection and therefore are not informative about patterns of adaptive variation. As such, assessments of pertinent adaptive loci, such as the immunity genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), are increasingly being incorporated into genetic studies. In this study, we combined neutral (microsatellite, mtDNA) and adaptive (MHC class II DLA‐DRB1 locus) markers to elucidate the factors influencing patterns of genetic variation in the African wild dog ( Lycaon pictus ); an endangered canid that has suffered extensive declines in distribution and abundance. Our genetic analyses found all extant wild dog populations to be relatively small ( N e