Genetic Variation Within PoPulations

Seven microsatellite loci were used to develop multilocus genotypes for 49 individuals of Neotoma stephensi (Stephen’s woodrat) collected from nine sites in central and northern Arizona. Several statistical analyses were used to determine genetic structure, levels of genetic variability, and degree of relatedness. Structure analyses estimated two distinct groups within localities. The FST value indicated moderate genetic differentiation among groups and sites. All populations displayed low to moderate levels of genetic diversity in terms of mean expected heterozygosity, and low to moderate levels of genetic diversity in terms of mean polymorphic information content. Mean relatedness values were low within groups and sites. Comparison of genetic diversity in N. stephensi to other species of Neotoma indicated that levels of genetic variation were comparable to other species of woodrats, including habitat specialists such as N. magister and wide ranging species such as N. micropus.