Population genetics of the Cape serotine bat (Neoromicia capensis) in South Africa
The Cape serotine bat (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) is an endemic species of sub-Saharan Africa and occupies all biomes throughout its distribution. It roosts in anthropogenic structures in small colonies of up to ten individuals. Since its discovery in the early 1800's by Arthur Smith little more than a few aspects of its reproductive biology and diet have been documented. Almost nothing is known about philopatry, migration and dispersal patterns of the Cape serotine bat and therefore nothing is known about its population structure. In this study I use microsatellite and mitochondrial D-Ioop sequences to determine the genetic structure of the Cape serotine bat population within South Africa. I investigated the degree of genetic differentiation between subpopulations in different biomes, and among colonies within subpopulations.
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