Scientific publications

The article presents data on the genetic diversity and differentiation of populations of the Northern red-backed vole Clethrionomys rutilus in two parts of its range: in Western Siberia (Kunovatsky Sanctuary, Angalsky Mys Nature Monument, Malaya Sos’va State Nature Reserve, Nadym Hills, Taz River floodplain) and the Kamchatka Peninsula (Koryaksky and Kronotsky State Nature Reserves). Using four dinucleotide microsatellite primers, 69 inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were identified. The average percentage of polymorphic loci for 15 populations of C. rutilus was 62 % and the genetic diversity was 0.23. These indices varied widely: P = 33–80 %, h = 0.10–0.32 in C. rutilus from the Kamchatka Peninsula and P = 28–94 %, h = 0.10–0.36 in Western Siberia. The average levels of genetic polymorphism did not differ between West Siberian and Kamchatka voles. Northern and southern regions of Siberia did not differ in polymorphism levels either, despite the significant latitudinal span and fact that the surveyed areas belonged to different environmental and climatic subzones, from tundra to northern foreststeppe. We found no differences in the levels of genetic diversity of vole populations living in protected areas versus man-modified ones. Notwithstanding the absence of differences in polymorphism rates, the genetic differentiation in red-backed vole populations differed between West Siberia and Kamchatka. The genetic differentiation between C. rutilus populations in Kamchatka was twice- and the gene flow thrice that of Siberian populations. Data on the genetic diversity of the red-backed vole can be used for monitoring of protected areas in northern regions.