Genetic footprints reveal geographic patterns of expansion in Fennoscandian red foxes. (8th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Norén, Karin; Statham, Mark J.; Ågren, Erik O.; Isomursu, Marja; Flagstad, Øystein; Eide, Nina E.; Berg, Thomas Bjørneboe G.; Bech‐Sanderhoff, Lene; Sacks, Benjamin N.
• Is Part Of: Global change biology. Volume 21:Number 9(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: 3299
• Page End: 3312
• Publication Date: 2015-06-08
• Subjects: Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Troposphere -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Biodiversity conservation -- Periodicals; Eutrophication -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1111/gcb.12922
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-1013

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="gcb12922-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Population expansions of boreal species are among the most substantial ecological consequences of climate change, potentially transforming both structure and processes of northern ecosystems. Despite their importance, little is known about expansion dynamics of boreal species. Red foxes (<italic>Vulpes vulpes</italic>) are forecasted to become a keystone species in northern Europe, a process stemming from population expansions that began in the 19th century. To identify the relative roles of geographic and demographic factors and the sources of northern European red fox population expansion, we genotyped 21 microsatellite loci in modern and historical (1835–1941) Fennoscandian red foxes. Using Bayesian clustering and Bayesian inference of migration rates, we identified high connectivity and asymmetric migration rates across the region, consistent with source‐sink dynamics, whereby more recently colonized sampling regions received immigrants from multiple sources. There were no clear clines in allele frequency or genetic diversity as would be expected from a unidirectional range expansion from south to north. Instead, migration inferences, demographic models and comparison to historical red fox genotypes suggested that the population expansion of the red fox is a consequence of dispersal from multiple sources, as well as <italic>in situ</italic> demographic growth. Together, these findings provide a rare glimpse into the anatomy of a boreal range expansion and enable informed predictions about future changes in boreal communities.</p> </abstract>