Ancient and modern DNA track temporal and spatial population dynamics in the European fallow deer since the Eemian interglacial

K. H. Baker, H. W.I. Gray, A. M. Lister, N. Spassov, A. J. Welch, K. Trantalidou, B. De Cupere, E. Bonillas, M. De Jong, C. Çakırlar, N. Sykes, A. R. Hoelzel*

*Corresponding author voor dit werk

OnderzoeksoutputAcademicpeer review

2 Citaten (Scopus)
42 Downloads (Pure)

Samenvatting

Anthropogenic factors have impacted the diversity and evolutionary trajectory of various species. This can be through factors such as pressure on population size or range, habitat fragmentation, or extensive manipulation and translocation. Here we use time-calibrated data to better understand the pattern and processes of evolution in the heavily manipulated European fallow deer (Dama dama). During the Pleistocene, fallow deer had a broad distribution across Europe and were found as far north as Britain during the Eemian interglacial. The last glacial period saw fallow deer retreat to southern refugia and they did not disperse north afterwards. Their recolonisation was mediated by people and, from northern Europe and the British Isles, fallow deer were transported around the world. We use ancient and modern mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and mitogenomic data from Eemian Britain to assess the pattern of change in distribution and lineage structure across Europe over time. We find founder effects and mixed lineages in the northern populations, and stability over time for populations in southern Europe. The Eemian sample was most similar to a lineage currently in Italy, suggesting an early establishment of the relevant refuge. We consider the implications for the integration of anthropogenic and natural processes towards a better understanding of the evolution of fallow deer in Europe.

Originele taal-2English
Artikelnummer3015
Aantal pagina's12
TijdschriftScientific Reports
Volume14
Nummer van het tijdschrift1
DOI's
StatusPublished - 12-feb.-2024

Vingerafdruk

Duik in de onderzoeksthema's van 'Ancient and modern DNA track temporal and spatial population dynamics in the European fallow deer since the Eemian interglacial'. Samen vormen ze een unieke vingerafdruk.

Citeer dit