Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Contact Zones Between Chromosomal Races of House Mice, Mus musculus domesticus, on Madeira Island

Abstract

Analysis of contact zones between parapatric chromosomal races can help our understanding of chromosomal divergence and its influence on the speciation process. Monitoring the position and any movement of contact zones can allow particular insights. This study investigates the present (2012–2014) and past (1998–2002) distribution of two parapatric house mouse chromosomal races—PEDC (Estreito da Calheta) and PADC (Achadas da Cruz)—on Madeira Island, aiming to identify changes in the location and width of their contact. We also extended the 1998–2002 sampling area into the range of another chromosomal race—PLDB (Lugar de Baixo). Clinal analysis indicates no major geographic alterations in the distribution and chromosomal characteristics of the PEDC and PADC races but exhibited a significant shift in position of the Rb (7.15) fusion, resulting in the narrowing of the contact zone over a 10+ year period. We discuss how this long-lasting contact zone highlights the role of landscape on mouse movements, in turn influencing the chromosomal characteristics of populations. The expansion of the sampling area revealed new chromosomal features in the north and a new contact zone in the southern range involving the PEDC and PLDB races. We discuss how different interacting mechanisms (landscape resistance, behaviour, chromosomal incompatibilities, meiotic drive) may help to explain the pattern of chromosomal variation at these contacts between chromosomal races.