Preliminary analysis of population genetics of <em>Myotis punicus</em> (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the maltese islands: implications for its conservation
By combining cellulose acetate allozyme electrophoresis with a non-lethal sampling technique, it was possible to undertake a preliminary study of the population structure of <em>Myotis punicus</em> Felten, 1977 in the Maltese Islands. Since previous local ecological studi...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Associazione Teriologica Italiana
2010-08-01
|
| Series: | Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.italian-journal-of-mammalogy.it/article/view/4453 |
| _version_ | 1828742689227538432 |
|---|---|
| author | Byron Baron Adriana Vella |
| author_facet | Byron Baron Adriana Vella |
| author_sort | Byron Baron |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | By combining cellulose acetate allozyme electrophoresis with a non-lethal sampling technique, it was possible to undertake a preliminary study of the population structure of <em>Myotis punicus</em> Felten, 1977 in the Maltese Islands. Since previous local ecological studies indicated declining numbers, it was considered important to undertake a combinatorial study including molecular genetic techniques. Twelve sites spread around the Maltese Islands were investigated and a total of 36 individuals found in four of these sites were sampled over a period of 6 months. The use of 4mm biopsy punches (a non-lethal method) was adopted to obtain tissue for analysis. Morphometric data was also collected involving measurements of forearm length, ear length, tragus length, wing-span and weight. Comparison of average values for these measurements between the sexes (using chi-square at p = 0.05) gave an indication of sexual dimorphism, with females being the larger sex. A recapture rate of 19% was achieved in this study. Nei&rsquo;s (1978) Genetic Identity (I) showed values from 0.954 to 0.686, while Genetic Distance (D) values ranged from 0 to 0.047. The results obtained in this study indicate that the population on the Maltese Islands is as yet a single panmictic unit, even though the overall FST value of 0.272 indicates that these sites are approaching the threshold beyond which there will be isolated mating systems.<br /> <br /> <tt>doi:10.4404/hystrix-21.1-4453</tt> |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T01:24:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5a312cddbe9e4263806aa0ca50471e61 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0394-1914 1825-5272 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T01:24:17Z |
| publishDate | 2010-08-01 |
| publisher | Associazione Teriologica Italiana |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy |
| spelling | doaj.art-5a312cddbe9e4263806aa0ca50471e612022-12-22T03:08:41ZengAssociazione Teriologica ItalianaHystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy0394-19141825-52722010-08-0121110.4404/hystrix-21.1-4453Preliminary analysis of population genetics of <em>Myotis punicus</em> (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the maltese islands: implications for its conservationByron BaronAdriana VellaBy combining cellulose acetate allozyme electrophoresis with a non-lethal sampling technique, it was possible to undertake a preliminary study of the population structure of <em>Myotis punicus</em> Felten, 1977 in the Maltese Islands. Since previous local ecological studies indicated declining numbers, it was considered important to undertake a combinatorial study including molecular genetic techniques. Twelve sites spread around the Maltese Islands were investigated and a total of 36 individuals found in four of these sites were sampled over a period of 6 months. The use of 4mm biopsy punches (a non-lethal method) was adopted to obtain tissue for analysis. Morphometric data was also collected involving measurements of forearm length, ear length, tragus length, wing-span and weight. Comparison of average values for these measurements between the sexes (using chi-square at p = 0.05) gave an indication of sexual dimorphism, with females being the larger sex. A recapture rate of 19% was achieved in this study. Nei&rsquo;s (1978) Genetic Identity (I) showed values from 0.954 to 0.686, while Genetic Distance (D) values ranged from 0 to 0.047. The results obtained in this study indicate that the population on the Maltese Islands is as yet a single panmictic unit, even though the overall FST value of 0.272 indicates that these sites are approaching the threshold beyond which there will be isolated mating systems.<br /> <br /> <tt>doi:10.4404/hystrix-21.1-4453</tt>http://www.italian-journal-of-mammalogy.it/article/view/4453Chiroptera, <em>Myotis punicus</em>, non-lethal sampling, allozyme, conservation |
| spellingShingle | Byron Baron Adriana Vella Preliminary analysis of population genetics of <em>Myotis punicus</em> (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the maltese islands: implications for its conservation Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy Chiroptera, <em>Myotis punicus</em>, non-lethal sampling, allozyme, conservation |
| title | Preliminary analysis of population genetics of <em>Myotis punicus</em> (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the maltese islands: implications for its conservation |
| title_full | Preliminary analysis of population genetics of <em>Myotis punicus</em> (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the maltese islands: implications for its conservation |
| title_fullStr | Preliminary analysis of population genetics of <em>Myotis punicus</em> (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the maltese islands: implications for its conservation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Preliminary analysis of population genetics of <em>Myotis punicus</em> (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the maltese islands: implications for its conservation |
| title_short | Preliminary analysis of population genetics of <em>Myotis punicus</em> (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the maltese islands: implications for its conservation |
| title_sort | preliminary analysis of population genetics of lt em gt myotis punicus lt em gt chiroptera vespertilionidae in the maltese islands implications for its conservation |
| topic | Chiroptera, <em>Myotis punicus</em>, non-lethal sampling, allozyme, conservation |
| url | http://www.italian-journal-of-mammalogy.it/article/view/4453 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT byronbaron preliminaryanalysisofpopulationgeneticsofltemgtmyotispunicusltemgtchiropteravespertilionidaeinthemalteseislandsimplicationsforitsconservation AT adrianavella preliminaryanalysisofpopulationgeneticsofltemgtmyotispunicusltemgtchiropteravespertilionidaeinthemalteseislandsimplicationsforitsconservation |