Genetic Diversity, Population Structure and Demographic History of Brandt and Long Eared Hedgehogs in Iran
Genetic Diversity, Population Structure and Demographic History of Brandt and Long Eared Hedgehogs in Iran
Ehsan Kashani1, Hamid Reza Rezaei2*, Morteza Naderi3 and Nematolah Khorasani4
ABSTRACT
Knowledge about the genetic diversity of the mammalian species and their plasticity in ever-changing environments is emphasized by scientists and conservation biologists. Central deserts and steppes of Iran host a different kind of insectivores like hedgehogs; however, their ecology and genetic properties are rarely documented. For species of hedgehogs that are included in the subfamily Erinaceinae, at least four known species are listed for Iran. Brandt’s (Paraechinus hypomelas) and Long-eared (Hemiechinus auritus) hedgehogs were two candidates in which we tried to investigate their molecular peculiarities in central steppes and deserts of Iran. Mitochondrial evidence indicates rapid population expansion and bottleneck event for both species during the past. Phylogenetic analysis successfully grouped the specimens in two distinct clades without any common haplotypes. Long-eared specimens grouped in two distinct phylogenetic groups which belong to two different geographic areas while for P. hypomelas no significant divergence happened in the species life history.
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April 2021
Vol. 53, Iss. 2, Pages 401-800
