RESEARCH PAPER
Phylogeography and Genetic Structure of the Long-Fingered Bat (Myotis capaccinii) across Europe: Insights from Mitochondrial DNA and ddRAD-seq Data
 
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Institute of Environmental Sciences, Boğaziçi University, 34342 Bebek, İstanbul, Turkey.
 
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Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey.
 
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Unit for Conservation Genetics (BIO-CGE), Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), Via Cà Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), Italy.
 
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Eurasia Earth Sciences Institute, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, İstanbul Turkey
 
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Department of Zoology and Animal Cell Biology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, C/ Paseo de la Universidad 7, 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
 
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Systematics, Biogeography and Population Dynamics Research Group, Lascaray Research Center, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Avda. Miguel de Unamuno, 3, 01006, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
 
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Doñana Biological Station (CSIC), Avda. Américo Vespucio 26, Isla de la Cartuja, Seville 41092, Spain.
 
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School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
 
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ISEM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France.
 
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PJA, Park Point, High Street, Longbridge, Birmingham, B31 2UQ, United Kingdom.
 
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Department of Zoology, National Museum (Natural History), Václavské nám. 68, 115 79 Praha 1, Czech Republic.
 
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Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44 Praha 2, Czech Republic.
 
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IRBI C/ Son Borras 14 07740, Alaró. Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain.
 
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Groupe Chiroptères de Provence, France.
 
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Animal Physiology, Zoological Institute, Tübingen University, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, Tubingen 72076, Germany.
 
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School of Biology, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
 
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Natural History Museum of Geneva, route de Malagnou 1, 1208 Genève, Switzerland.
 
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Centro per lo studio e la protezione dei pipistrelli in Sardegna, Sassari, Italy.
 
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Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Evolution (AnEcoEvo), Dipartimento di Agraria, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazza Carlo di Borbone, 1, 80055, Portici (Italy)
 
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Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Environment Analysis and Management Unit, University of Insubria, Via Dunant, Varese 3 I-21100, Italy.
 
 
Online publication date: 2026-07-20
 
 
Corresponding author
Raşit Bilgin   

Institute of Environmental Sciences, Boğaziçi University, 34342 Bebek, İstanbul, Turkey.
 
 
 
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ABSTRACT
Aim: To investigate the phylogeography and genetic structure of the long-fingered bat (Myotis capaccinii) across Europe using mitochondrial DNA and ddRAD-seq data, and to investigate, using high-resolution SNP data, whether the previously recorded mito-nuclear discordance in the species reflects a biological reality or was due to the low resolution of the nuclear microsatellites used in earlier studies. Location: Europe, including Northern Africa, Iberian Peninsula, Italy, Balkans, Anatolia, and the Near East. Taxon: Myotis capaccinii (long-fingered bat), a widely distributed bat species in the Mediterranean region. Methods: A total of 265 wing tissue samples were collected from 40 sites across 10 countries. Mitochondrial cytochrome-b sequences were analyzed for haplotype diversity and phylogenetic relationships. ddRAD-seq was performed on 144 samples to obtain nuclear SNPs. Phylogenetic trees, haplotype networks, Bayesian skyline plots, mismatch distributions, AMOVA, and STRUCTURE analyses were used to infer genetic structure and historical demography. Results: Three distinct mitochondrial clades (B, C1, C2) were identified, with divergence times estimated at ~350K and ~120K years BP. Clade B showed a star-like haplotype network and highest diversity, suggesting refugial origin in Anatolia. ddRAD-seq data corroborated mtDNA results and revealed longitudinal patterns of postglacial expansion and admixture. STRUCTURE analysis supported clustering into two or three genetic groups with admixture zones. Bayesian skyline plots indicated recent population expansions during the Holocene. Main conclusions: The genetic structure of Myotis capaccinii reflects historical isolation in glacial refugia followed by postglacial expansions. Integrative use of mtDNA and ddRAD-seq data effectively resolved phylogeographic patterns and mito-nuclear discordance. Mountain ranges acted as barriers to female gene flow, while nuclear data revealed ongoing interbreeding. This study highlights the importance of combining genomic approaches to understand evolutionary history and inform conservation strategies.
eISSN:1825-5272
ISSN:0394-1914
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