In this study, we quantified the three pivotal genetic processes (i.e., genetic diversity, spatial genetic structuring and migration) necessary for a better biological understanding and management of the singular "living-fossil" and near-threatened mouse opossum marsupial Dromiciops gliroides, the "Monito del Monte", in south-central Chile. We used 11 microsatellite loci to genotype 47 individuals distributed on the mainland and northern Chiloé Island. Allelic richness, observed and expected heterozygosity, inbreeding coefficient and levels of genetic differentiation were estimated. The genetic structure was assessed based on Bayesian clustering methods. In addition, potential migration scenarios were evaluated based on a coalescent theory framework and Bayesian approach to parameter estimations. Microsatellites revealed moderate to high levels of genetic diversity across sampled localities. Moreover, such molecular markers suggested that at least two consistent genetic clusters could be identified along the D. gliroides distribution ("Northern" and "Southern" cluster). However, general levels of genetic differentiation observed among localities and between the two genetic clusters were relatively low. Migration analyses showed that the most likely routes of migration of D. gliroides occurred a) from the Southern cluster to the Northern cluster and b) from the Mainland to Chiloé Island. Our results could represent critical information for future conservation programs and for a recent proposal about the taxonomic status of this unique mouse opossum marsupial.

中文翻译：

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智利中南部有袋动物“Monito del Monte”的遗传多样性、种群结构和迁徙情景

在这项研究中，我们量化了三个关键的遗传过程（即遗传多样性、空间遗传结构和迁移），这些过程对于更好地理解和管理奇异的“活化石”和濒临灭绝的小鼠负鼠有袋动物 Dromiciops gliroides 是必要的。 “Monito del Monte”，位于智利中南部。我们使用 11 个微卫星位点对分布在大陆和奇洛埃岛北部的 47 个个体进行基因分型。估计了等位基因丰富度、观察到的和预期的杂合性、近交系数和遗传分化水平。基于贝叶斯聚类方法评估遗传结构。此外，基于聚结理论框架和参数估计的贝叶斯方法评估了潜在的迁移场景。微卫星揭示了采样地点的中到高水平的遗传多样性。此外，这样的分子标记表明，至少可以在 D. gliroides 分布（“北方”和“南方”簇）中鉴定出两个一致的遗传簇。然而，在地区之间和两个遗传簇之间观察到的遗传分化的总体水平相对较低。迁移分析表明，D. gliroides 最可能的迁移路线发生在 a) 从南部集群到北部集群和 b) 从大陆到奇洛埃岛。我们的结果可为未来的保护计划和最近关于这种独特的小鼠负鼠有袋动物的分类地位的提议提供关键信息。