Temporal evaluation of a woodrat (genus<i>Neotoma</i>) hybrid zone based on genotypic and georeferenced data

Abstract Mauldin et al. (2014) examined 103 woodrats collected in 1988 from a putative contact zone located Major County, Oklahoma, and provided evidence for substantial level of hybridization between Neotoma floridana N. micropus. This site was resampled 2010, with 42 collected, again 2011, when an additional 88 were 11 localities along transect extending northwest to southeast the center hybrid zone. These specimens to: 1) serve as independent data sets, separated by 22 years, temporal comparison characteristics 2) determine geographic extent genetic introgression two species. All individuals genotyped at markers (eight microsatellite loci, one mitochondrial gene—Cytochrome b, nuclear introns—intron 2 vertebrate alcohol dehydrogenase gene intron 7 beta-fibrinogen gene) that shown be informative original study. Levels allelic assessed 12 (11 new localities, well previously sampled zone) size continuity Expanded sampling revealed although only determined active areas 2011. The (i.e., frequency hybridization, directionality, location zone, ratios classes) remained similar events. findings suggest these species is ongoing but intermittent potentially ephemeral this region.