Dispersal Ability Predicts Spatial Genetic Structure in Native Mammals Persisting across an Urbanization Gradient

As the rate of urbanization continues to increase globally, a growing body of research is emerging that investigates how urbanization shapes the movement—and consequent gene flow—of species in cities. Of particular interest are native species that persist in cities, either as small relict populations or as larger populations of synanthropic species that thrive alongside humans in new urban environments. In this study, we used genomic sequence data (SNPs) and spatially explicit individual‐based analyses to directly compare the genetic structure and patterns of gene flow in two small mammals with different dispersal abilities that occupy the same urbanized landscape to evaluate how mobility impacts genetic connectivity. We collected 215 white‐footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and 380 big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) across an urban‐to‐rural gradient within the Providence, Rhode Island (U.S.A.) metropolitan area (population =1,600,000 people). We found that mice and bats exhibit clear differences in their spatial genetic structure that are consistent with their dispersal abilities, with urbanization having a stronger effect on Peromyscus mice. There were sharp breaks in the genetic structure of mice within the Providence urban core, as well as reduced rates of migration and an increase in inbreeding with more urbanization. In contrast, bats showed very weak genetic structuring across the entire study area, suggesting a near‐panmictic gene pool likely due to the ability to disperse by flight. Genetic diversity remained stable for both species across the study region. Mice also exhibited a stronger reduction in gene flow between island and mainland populations than bats. This study represents one of the first to directly compare multiple species within the same urban‐to‐rural landscape gradient, an important gap to fill for urban ecology and evolution. Moreover, here we document the impacts of dispersal capacity on connectivity for native species that have persisted as the urban landscape matrix expands

Dispersal Ability Predicts Spatial Genetic Structure in Native Mammals Persisting across an Urbanization Gradient.

As the rate of urbanization continues to increase globally, a growing body of research is emerging that investigates how urbanization shapes the movement—and consequent gene flow—of species in cities. Of particular interest are native species that persist in cities, either as small relict populations or as larger populations of synanthropic species that thrive alongside humans in new urban environments. In this study, we used genomic sequence data (SNPs) and spatially explicit individual-based analyses to directly compare the genetic structure and patterns of gene flow in two small mammals with different dispersal abilities that occupy the same urbanized landscape to evaluate how mobility impacts genetic connectivity. We collected 215 white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) and 380 big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) across an urban-to-rural gradient within the Providence, Rhode Island (U.S.A.) metropolitan area (population =1,600,000 people). We found that mice and bats exhibit clear differences in their spatial genetic structure that are consistent with their dispersal abilities, with urbanization having a stronger effect on Peromyscus mice. There were sharp breaks in the genetic structure of mice within the Providence urban core, as well as reduced rates of migration and an increase in inbreeding with more urbanization. In contrast, bats showed very weak genetic structuring across the entire study area, suggesting a near-panmictic gene pool likely due to the ability to disperse by flight. Genetic diversity remained stable for both species across the study region. Mice also exhibited a stronger reduction in gene flow between island and mainland populations than bats. This study represents one of the first to directly compare multiple species within the same urban-to-rural landscape gradient, an important gap to fill for urban ecology and evolution. Moreover, here we document the impacts of dispersal capacity on connectivity for native species that have persisted as the urban landscape matrix expands

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Mechanical, Maritime and Materials EngineeringTechnische Materiaalwetenschappe

Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier curves, by first-line ART regimen.

<p>Unadjusted Kaplan-Meier curves, by first-line ART regimen.</p

Flexible parametric survival model of potential determinants for attrition among study population (N = 5,718).

<p>CI: Confidence interval; BMI: Body mass index; PI: Protease inhibitor; WHO definition of Anaemia: Haemoglobin concentration <12 g/dL in women and <13 g/dL in men.</p><p>#- not significant in univariate models.</p><p>Note: Early enrolment (1 Sep 2005 to 31 Dec 2009), and Late enrolment (1 Jan 2010 to 20 Oct 2011).</p><p>Flexible parametric survival model of potential determinants for attrition among study population (N = 5,718).</p

Prevalence percentages and odds ratios for primary outcome (death or loss-to-follow-up) from the logistic regression analysis.

<p>OR: Odds ratio; CI: Confidence interval; BMI: Body mass index; SD: Standard deviation; PI: Protease inhibitor; Anaemia: Haemoglobin concentration <12 g/dL in women and <13 g/dL in men.</p><p>Prevalence percentages and odds ratios for primary outcome (death or loss-to-follow-up) from the logistic regression analysis.</p

Clinical baseline characteristics of study population.

<p>IQR: Interquartile range.</p><p>WHO definition of Anaemia: Haemoglobin concentration <12 g/dL in women and <13 g/dL in men.</p><p>Clinical baseline characteristics of study population.</p

CONSORT diagram for analysis, with a total number of enrolled patients, number of patients for survival analysis and number of patients to estimate risk factors for attrition.

<p>CONSORT diagram for analysis, with a total number of enrolled patients, number of patients for survival analysis and number of patients to estimate risk factors for attrition.</p

Attrition Rate at 36-month follow up of the cohort in the public sector comparing with MSF (H) cohort.

<p>N: Number; LTF: Loss to follow up; MSF (H): Médecins Sans Frontières (Holland); DOH: Department of Health.</p><p>Attrition Rate at 36-month follow up of the cohort in the public sector comparing with MSF (H) cohort.</p