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 control region (D-loop) sequence polymorphism was compared between North and South American nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus: Xenarthra, Dasypodidae). All markers revealed a striking genetic homogeneity amongst Texas, Louisiana, 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 microsatellite motif of North American armadillos suggests a recent recovery of mitochondrial variability. Phylogeographic analyses using Dasypus kappleri as outgroup provides evidence for a clear separation between North and South American control region haplotypes.
Huchon
D
D
Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution UMR 5554/CNRS, Université de Montpellier II, France.
Delsuc
F
F
Catzeflis
F M
FM
Douzery
E J
EJ
D000818:Animals; D001135:Armadillos / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D002467:Cell Nucleus; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D004798:Enzymes / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D018703:Founder Effect; D005616:French Guiana; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D019901:Locus Control Region; D009656:North America; D010802:Phylogeny; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D013020:South America; D014481:United States
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D004798:Enzymes; D004247:DNA