Genetic Analysis of the Endangered Gray Bat Species (Myotis grisescens)

Author

Emma Fitzgerald, University of KentuckyFollow

Year of Publication

2020

College

Arts and Sciences

Department/School/Program

Biology

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

First Capstone/Thesis Advisor

Dr. Kathryn Everson

Abstract

This study attempts to analyze the genetics using specific haplotype sequences of the endangered gray bat to determine genetic events that have happened in the past as well as determining how the species population has changed over time. We were able to conduct a Tajima’s D test to investigate whether a potential bottleneck has occurred. A linear regression of the genetic vs. geographical distance was produced to investigate the patterns of haplotype distribution. The species past distribution was compared to the current distribution using known collected specimens. A map of future predictions was constructed using present and future climate layers to understand how the species distribution might fluctuate in the future. We found that a genetic bottleneck likely occurred in the past and that although there has been a decline in population in the past, the population is predicted to expand in the future.

Recommended Citation

Fitzgerald, Emma, "Genetic Analysis of the Endangered Gray Bat Species (Myotis grisescens)" (2020). Lewis Honors College Capstone Collection. 48.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/honprog/48