Population Genetic Structure of Tricolored Bats (P. subflavus) in the Coastal Plains of the Southeastern U.S.
Disciplines
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | Genetics | Population Biology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Significant population declines have occurred in the Appalachian Mountain and Cumberland Plateau regions. Little is known about tricolored bat populations in the Coastal Plain region of the southeastern U.S. where the species has been documented to inhabit transportation structures in addition to tree roosts, caves, and mines. Summer and winter habitat preferences by the tricolored bat are not well understood, particularly regarding the use of manmade roosting structures. The size and distribution of these culvert-dwelling populations are currently unknown but could represent a significant remnant population. The objective of this study was to determine genetic connectivity of tricolored bat populations roosting and/or hibernating in transportation structures and relatedness of Georgia Coastal Plain bats with the heavily impacted tricolored bat populations in the Appalachian Mountains. We collected bats by hand. We recorded standard morphological measurements. We collected oral swabs and hair samples. Samples were stored in silica gel desiccant at 0°C in the field, then transported to Kennesaw State University and stored at -80°C. DNA was isolated with a DNeasy kit (Qiagen). We surveyed 6 microsatellite markers and will sequence from the non-coding HV1 region of the mitochondrial genome. Our population genetic analyses revealed high dispersal patterns among sampled sites (gene flow); population genetic structure was detected, but it was not associated with roosting locations (sampled sites). Sampled sites contained a mixture of putative populations. Factors other than roosting or hibernacula sites may be structuring populations. We will combine these data with geospatial distribution data and P. destructans presence/absence data to understand factors associated with disease spread and susceptibility to white-nose syndrome. Future studies will investigate the mitochondrial DNA (D-loop) haplotypes of these bats, allowing us to further assess the population genetic structure and genetic diversity of bats impacted by white-nose syndrome.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Thomas McElroy
Additional Faculty
Christopher Cornelison, CSM - Molecular and Cellular Biology, ccornel5@kennesaw.edu
Population Genetic Structure of Tricolored Bats (P. subflavus) in the Coastal Plains of the Southeastern U.S.
Significant population declines have occurred in the Appalachian Mountain and Cumberland Plateau regions. Little is known about tricolored bat populations in the Coastal Plain region of the southeastern U.S. where the species has been documented to inhabit transportation structures in addition to tree roosts, caves, and mines. Summer and winter habitat preferences by the tricolored bat are not well understood, particularly regarding the use of manmade roosting structures. The size and distribution of these culvert-dwelling populations are currently unknown but could represent a significant remnant population. The objective of this study was to determine genetic connectivity of tricolored bat populations roosting and/or hibernating in transportation structures and relatedness of Georgia Coastal Plain bats with the heavily impacted tricolored bat populations in the Appalachian Mountains. We collected bats by hand. We recorded standard morphological measurements. We collected oral swabs and hair samples. Samples were stored in silica gel desiccant at 0°C in the field, then transported to Kennesaw State University and stored at -80°C. DNA was isolated with a DNeasy kit (Qiagen). We surveyed 6 microsatellite markers and will sequence from the non-coding HV1 region of the mitochondrial genome. Our population genetic analyses revealed high dispersal patterns among sampled sites (gene flow); population genetic structure was detected, but it was not associated with roosting locations (sampled sites). Sampled sites contained a mixture of putative populations. Factors other than roosting or hibernacula sites may be structuring populations. We will combine these data with geospatial distribution data and P. destructans presence/absence data to understand factors associated with disease spread and susceptibility to white-nose syndrome. Future studies will investigate the mitochondrial DNA (D-loop) haplotypes of these bats, allowing us to further assess the population genetic structure and genetic diversity of bats impacted by white-nose syndrome.