Armadillos exhibit less genetic polymorphism in North America than in South America: nuclear and mitochondrial data confirm a founder effect in Dasypus novemcinctus (Xenarthra)

Heterozygosity at eight nuclear enzymatic loci and mitochondrial DNA contro l region (D-loop) sequence polymorphism was compared between North and Sout h American nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus: Xenarthra, Dasypod idae). All markers revealed a striking genetic homogeneity amongst Texas, L ouisiana, and Mississippi individuals, vs. the usual level of polymorphism for the French Guiana population. This may reflect a founder effect during colonization of North America. Occurrence of polymorphism in the D-loop mic rosatellite motif of North American armadillos suggests a recent recovery o f mitochondrial variability. Phylogeographic analyses using Dasypus kappler i as outgroup provides evidence for a clear separation between North and So uth American control region haplotypes.