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Genetic characterization of black rat (Rattus rattus) of the Canary Islands: origin and colonization

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Abstract

In the Canary Islands two invasive rat species, Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus are present, but little is known about the origin and colonization. To this end, a molecular study was performed on R. rattus from the Archipelago and from the nearest continents. Partial cytochrome b gene sequencing offered very low levels of haplotype and nucleotide diversities, with only seven haplotypes identified. All of them belong to the European Lineage I, specifically to the “ship rat” cluster. The haplotype network showed a star-like topology. Haplotype distribution showed a genetic subdivision between eastern and central/western islands, suggesting a double colonization event. This hypothesis is congruent with historical human colonization and it is similar to that proposed for the rodent parasite Hymenolepis diminuta. In addition, a possible role of the Canary Islands as a faunal link with the European and American continents is discussed.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to people who supplied us with samples: J. Miquel (Senegal and Tunisia), C. Cutillas (Spain), R. Fons (France), R. Libois (Benim) and V. Haukisalmi (Finland). The final version of the manuscript was improved by comments from V. Haukisalmi and V. Hernández. This paper was supported by National projects CGL 2006-04937 and CGL 2009-07759BOS, and the project 2009 SGR 403 financed by “La Generalitat de Catalunya”. Animal trapping and use was approved by the Governmental “Exmos Cabildos Insulares”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Avda. Astrofisico F. Sanchez s/n, 38203, La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

    Mercedes López, Pilar Foronda & Mariano Hernández

  2. Laboratory of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal s/n, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    Carlos Feliu

  3. Institut de Recerca de La Biodiversitat, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Carlos Feliu

Authors
  1. Mercedes López
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  2. Pilar Foronda
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  3. Carlos Feliu
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  4. Mariano Hernández
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mercedes López.

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López, M., Foronda, P., Feliu, C. et al. Genetic characterization of black rat (Rattus rattus) of the Canary Islands: origin and colonization. Biol Invasions 15, 2367–2372 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-013-0466-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-013-0466-3

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