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Density-dependent processes determine the distribution of chromosomal races of the common shrew Sorex araneus (Lipotyphla, Mammalia)

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Abstract

The common shrew is subdivided into 74 chromosomal races, widely distributed in the postglacial area from the Britain Islands to Lake Baikal. Based on 1969 karyotypes from 216 localities, we present for the first time a map of ranges of 25 chromosomal races (except the Altai race) currently known in Russia. We revealed two centers of high karyotypic diversity: the western (near Baltic Sea) and the eastern (near Baikal Lake). The studied races were categorized as small-, medium-, and large-range races, and small-range races concentrated around those two centers of karyotypic diversity. We did not find any significant association between race range size and ecological zone, latitude, or the ambient temperature. Physical barriers, such as Ural Mountain or rivers, do not limit race distribution. The width of rivers that divide a range of a single race or ranges of two different races does not differ. We supposed that the occupation of an area by a race could limit the invasion of a different race from an adjacent area and expansion of its range, thus contributing to race parapatric distribution alone without additional effects of physical barriers. Based on karyotype similarity and geographic localization, we combined races into four “karyotypic chains,” in which the races can be derived from one another consequently by a single chromosomal translocation. The present distribution of the common shrew races in Russia supports the idea that it has resulted from recolonization from refugia governed by the density-dependent processes.

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Acknowledgements

Authors are very grateful to Dr. A. Tchabovsky for comprehensive comments and detailed suggestions that significantly improved the manuscript. Blue Pencil Science Company corrected English. This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grant no. 15-04-04759), the President Grant for Russian Distinguished Young Scientists MK-4496.2015.4 (for SP), and the Program for Fundamental Research of Presidium of RAS “Biological diversity” (for NS).

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  1. A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, 33 Leninsky prospect, Moscow, 119071, Russia

    Nikolay A. Shchipanov & Svetlana V. Pavlova

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  1. Nikolay A. Shchipanov
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Shchipanov, N.A., Pavlova, S.V. Density-dependent processes determine the distribution of chromosomal races of the common shrew Sorex araneus (Lipotyphla, Mammalia). Mamm Res 62, 267–282 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-017-0314-4

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