Genetic structure of Grey wolves in Central Europe

Bc. Alžběta Báčová

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

Central Europe is considered as a contact zone for many species, which underwent the allopatric differentiation in the past. Recently, we are witnessing natural recolonization of Czech Republic by wolves from neighbouring countries. Czech Republic lies in the centre of possible recolonization routes of distinct wolf populations. Czech population of wolves is rapidly increasing in size due to several factors such as legal protection, changes in landscape management or socio-economic factors. For sustainable management and protection, it is necessary to monitor the population. Genetic monitoring can answer the questions about the origin and relatedness of the wolves. We used 21 microsatellite loci and one sex-determining gene Amelogenin to reveal the genetic structure and relatedness of wolves in Central Europe, with special emphasis to northern Bohemia. The genetic analyses indicate dispersal pattern from Carpathians towards the protected area Broumovsko in the northeast of Bohemia. We found genetically distinct individuals in the South Bohemia, which were not clustered with Lowland or Carpathian populations. Haplotype distribution is consistent with previously published studies. The estimation of relatedness showed the several related individuals mainly in protected area Kokořín, where the first Bohemian wolf pack was established after one hundred years of their absence in the country.

Keywords

Canis lupus, Central Europe, gene flow, genetic structure, population

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 26. 4. 2019

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: Mgr. Barbora Černá Bolfíková, Ph.D.

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta tropického zemědělství

Magisterský studijní program / obor:
Tropické zemědělství / Wildlife Management in Tropics and Subtropics