Intraspecific genetic diversity and distribution of North African hedgehogs (Mammalia: Erinaceidae)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2019

Authors

Velo Antón, G (Author) Other; Boraty¿ski, Z (Author) Other; Ferreira, CM (Author) Other; Lima, VO (Author) Other; Alves, PC (Author) FCUP; brito, jc (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London

Vol. 127

Pages: 156-163

ISSN: 0024-4066

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Indexing

Scopus - 5 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00R-297

DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blz030

Abstract (EN): Despite growing efforts to halt biodiversity loss, knowledge of species diversity and distribution is highly geographically biased, leaving some areas unexplored. Taxa distributed in remote, desert areas, such as hedgehogs (Mammalia; Eulipotyphla) in North Africa, are good examples of current knowledge gaps in systematics and biogeography. Here we studied the geographical distribution and intraspecific genetic diversity of hedgehogs in North Africa. Specimens belonging to North African and Eurasian species were analysed with mitochondrial (control region, CR) and nuclear (recombination activating gene 1, RAG1) gene fragments. This revealed a broader geographical distribution of Atelerix algirus in south-western Libya and of Paraechinus aethiopicus along the Atlantic Sahara. High intraspecific genetic differentiation was found in A. algirus and A. albiventris at the mitochondrial level, with nuclear haplotype sharing across their ranges. These findings suggest that biogeographical patterns of hedgehogs in North Africa are more complex than previously suggested, highlighting a need for further investigation in this remote and poorly known area. © 2019 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific