Control region variability of the mitochondrial DNA of Pipistrellus nathusii (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae):: First results of a population genetic study

Migration routes and migration strategies of Pipistrellus nathusii in Europe may suggest that there are several different populations of this species. This pilot project aimed to check if genetic variability of mitochondrial DNA could support this hypothesis. Hair samples were taken from individuals from Lithuania, Northern Poland and The Netherlands. PCR amplifications of mtDNA control region and subsequent restriction analysis provided data that were computed using Arlequin and Treecon softwares for AMOVA analysis and UPGMA clustering.. Fourteen mtDNA haplotypes (lineages) have been found that were grouped into four main clusters. Interestingly individuals from Rotterdam and Darzlubska forest clustered together, while individuals from Lithuania and Sobieszewo Island were grouped in another cluster, nearby clusters including the other Polish samples (Vistula Split and Wdzydze Landscape Park). According to these preliminary results Poland could be the meeting place of western and eastern populations.