Population substructuring in Schreibers' long-fingered bat (Miniopterus schreibersii) in South Africa

Schreibers' long-fingered bat, Miniopterus schreibersi migrates seasonally between winter (hibernacula) and summer (maternity) colonies in South Africa. Previous behavioural studies suggested that roost fidelity is well developed in this species, and that juvenile dispersal may be limited, possibly in both sexes. If males and/or females are strongly philopatric, this may lead to restricted gene flow among colonies, resulting in genetically distinct breeding subpopulations. The population structure of M. schreibersii in South Africa was investigated using microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), with the aim of determining the degree of genetic differentiation among colonies, and the extent and direction of bat movement among the colonies. A genomic library was constructed for M. schreibersii, and was screened for (CA)0 and (GA)0 microsatellite repeats. Five novel, highly polymorphic loci were identified. These five loci, and an existing mammalian microsatellite locus, were amplified in. 301 individuals, sampled from ten colonies throughout South Africa. Significant genetic heterogeneity exists within the M. schreibersii population, such that the population can be subdivided into three partially discrete breeding subpopulations. Little genetic differentiation exists between colonies withi