Interspecific mitochondrial DNA transfer and the colonization of Scandinavia by mice

Abstract

SummaryRestriction enzymes were used to search for genetic variability at 162 cleavage sites in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) purified from 22 mice caught at seven Swedish localities. Although all of these mice bear the nuclear genes ofMus musculus, they bear the mtDNA ofM. domesticusexclusively. Yet, some of the Swedish localities are 750 km away from the hybrid zone between these two species. Furthermore, only one type of mtDNA was found at the seven Swedish localities; this type was found before at an eighth locality in Sweden as well as in Jutland north of the hybrid zone. The apparent lack of mtDNA divergence in the mouse population of Sweden contrasts with the extensive divergence usually found within other geographic areas in Europe, Africa and North America. Electrophoretic analysis of proteins encoded by nuclear genes indicates that the Swedish mice have lower average heterozygosity than Danish and Central European populations ofmusculusmice. These findings lead us to suggest that the source of the commensal mouse population in Sweden was a small propagule that originated from a population situated only a few kilometres to the east of the point at which the hybrid zone on the European mainland meets the Baltic Sea, namely on East Holstein. Such a founder event may have been associated with the spread of farming from north Germany into Sweden about 4000 years ago.