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Inter-Population Genetic Variation in the Indian Pygmy Field Mouse Mus terricolor Blyth, 1851 (Rodentia, Muridae) from Terai and Dooars of Darjeeling Foothills

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Abstract

Genetic variability and divergence among 9 natural populations of Mus terricolor from Terai and the Dooars regions of Darjeeling foothills, India were examined by electrophoretic analysis of 10 enzyme/protein loci. All populations were highly polymorphic in terms of percent polymorphism (P), effective number of alleles (Ae) and heterozygosity (H). P varied from 90 to 100%, while Ae was found to range from 1.8148 to 2.3720 in different populations. The mean Ho were 0.4144 and 0.4495 in the Dooars and Terai populations, respectively. Dooars populations were moderately differentiatiated (FST = 0.0914) with gene flow of 2.4865 while, a low level of genetic differentiation was found in Terai populations (FST = 0.0295) combined with high gene flow of 8.2197. UPGMA cluster analysis using Nei’s D-values revealed three clusters: cluster I and III comprising of Dooars populations and cluster II consists of Terai populations. Two populations, Rohimabad and Kumargram (cluster III) showing higher D value than the other Dooars populations appeared as outgroup. Garidhura population in Terai also showed somewhat unexpected D values which is not concordant with geographical distance. Inbreeding was not pronounced among local populations however, moderate level of differentition exists may be due to physical barrier and adaptation to variable habitat.

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Acknowledgements

The financial support received from the Department of Zoology, University of North Bengal is sincerely acknowledged. Authors are also thankful to the head Department of Zoology for providing the Departmental Central Instrument facility which is supported by the Fund for Improvement of Science and Technology Infrastructure Programme, Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India and the Special Assistance Programme, University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India. The authors gratefully acknowledge Professor Ranjan Roy, Department of Geography, University of North Bengal for providing information on climate of this region.

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  1. Genetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, West Bengal, 734013, India

    Mahua Rudra & Min Bahadur

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Rudra, M., Bahadur, M. Inter-Population Genetic Variation in the Indian Pygmy Field Mouse Mus terricolor Blyth, 1851 (Rodentia, Muridae) from Terai and Dooars of Darjeeling Foothills. Proc Zool Soc 72, 273–282 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12595-018-0274-y

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