Effects of landscape features and flooding on the genetic structure of a small wetland rodent, the harvest mouse (Micromys minutus)

The natural patchiness of wetlands and flooding events are likely to strongly affect the genetic structure their terrestrial species. However, these effects not well understood yet, especially for small mammals. We investigated at different spatial scales harvest mouse (Micromys minutus), a threatened mammal tied wetlands, on gene flow types landscape elements composing wetland. 309 mice were sampled in eight sites Western Europe. Their diversity 15 microsatellite loci analyzed regional scale local scale, where resistance land cover was also assessed, with optimization procedure implemented ResistanceGA. At our study revealed strong differentiation between populations from Northern Europe Mediterranean Sea. flooded wetland France, species exhibited large cluster over least 45 km2, spite river crossing it. Winter floods explained better than features alone, stronger reed beds vegetation level above water high: contrary meadows, which individuals forced escape, can be “golden prisons”, i.e. refuges during but very low possibility movements. Several parameters influencing functioning population here highlighted that useful development plans safeguard ecosystems.