J. Fickel et al., Analysis of genetic diversity and structure in neighboring populations of the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus, Pallas 1778), Z JAGDWISS, 45(4), 1999, pp. 230-237
A population of 48 European brown hares, caught south of the township of He
imerzheim (North Rhine-West phalia), was investigated regarding its generic
diversity and structure. Analyses were performed on 4 microsatellite DNA l
oci as well as on the mitochondrial control region. The sampling area is di
vided into two regions (region A and B) by a motorway (Autobahn 61). In reg
ion A 22 hares were caught, whereas 26 hares came from region B. Regarding
the distribution of haplotypes both groups are genetically structured and d
iffer significantly from each other (Phi(ST) = 0,428, p less than or equal
to 0.0001). There is only a very low maternal gene flow (N-m = 0,7). In ter
ms of the microsatellite allele distribution, no differences were detectabl
e between the two groups (G(ST) = 0,004). While mitochondrial DNA is inheri
ted maternally only, microsatellite DNA is inherited maternally and paterna
lly in equal parts. Since female hares can be excluded from the gene flow d
ue to the distribution of haplotypes, only males are responsible for the mi
crosatellite allele exchange between the two subpopulations. The reason for
these findings may on the one hand be a highly philopatric behaviour of fe
males. On the other hand, a higher degree of dispersal or a larger home ran
ge size of males could also explain our results.