Spatial genetic characterization of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in the area between the Alps and the Central Dinaric Mountains

Devedžić, Anida (author), Urzi, Felicita (author), Pokorny, Boštjan (author), Vengušt, Gorazd (author), Žele-Vengušt, Diana (author), Janžekovič, Franc (author), Velić, L. (author), Eterović, Toni (author), Kalamujić Stroil, Belma (author), Bužan, Elena (author)

Red fox, Vulpes vulpes, is a globally distributed species characterized by its high adaptability to diverse habitats and a broad range of food resources. This remarkable adaptability has allowed the red fox to thrive in various environments, from urban areas to remote wilderness. In this study, we used a set of microsatellite markers for the comparative genetic analysis of red fox populations from two countries. We included populations from the Eastern Alps and the northern Dinaric Mountains in Slovenia, as well as the Central Dinaric Mountains in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We successfully isolated DNA and genotyped 118 red fox samples. Our analyses, which included Bayesian clustering techniques, revealed a weak genetic differentiation among the studied populations. However, it is noteworthy that statistically significant differences in estimates of genetic differentiation were only apparent when comparing the populations between the two countries. Further spatial genetic clustering analyses provided additional insights, unveiling a differentiation into four genetic clusters. These clusters comprised two distinct groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina and two in Slovenia. This pattern of differentiation suggests that isolation by distance is a key factor influencing the genetic structure of the red fox in this studied region. Additionally, our findings highlighted that populations from the Alps and northern Dinaric Mountains exhibit higher genetic diversity and observed heterozygosity compared to their counterparts in the Central Dinaric Mountains. The genetic diversity is also notable when compared to other European red fox populations. Studying genetic diversity is crucial for the resilience and adaptability of populations, ensuring their survival amid environmental changes and human-induced pressures.

• Language: English
• Keywords: red fox, microsatellites, genetic diversity, Dinaric Mountains
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Geographic coverage: Dinarsko gorovje; Vzhodne Alpe
• Organization: VF - Veterinary Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2024
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: Str. 752-758
• Numbering: Vol. 28, no. 7
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-165235
• UDC: 575
• ISSN on article: 2500-3259
• DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-24-83
• COBISS.SI-ID: 216361987
• Publication date in RUL: 27.11.2024

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Vavilovskij žurnal genetiki i selekcii : Elektronski vir
• Shortened title: Vavilovskij ž. genet. sel.
• Publisher: Institut citologii i genetiki SO RAN
• ISSN: 2500-3259
• COBISS.SI-ID: 525925145

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Russian
• Title: Prostranstvennaja genetičeskaja harakteristika krasnoj lisicy (Vulpes vulpes) v rajone meždu Al'pami i central'nymi Dinarskimi gorami