Phylogeographic Structure of the House Mouse Mus musculus in Eastern Europe and Asia according to Analysis of the Control Region (D-Loop) of mtDNA

One hundred fifty-three individuals of Mus musculus examined have been found to carry 120 haplotypes of the mtDNA control region (D-loop). Seven phylogroups have been identified: four groups in Europe, two in Asia, and one in Transcaucasia. The territory of Europe and Asia was inhabited by different phylogenetic lineages. We distinguished the Siberian lineage of M. musculus; it spread to the east of Asia along major transport routes. The dispersal of M. musculus in Eastern Europe could have arisen from Transcaucasia, a possible center of origin of M. musculus. No differentiation of M. musculus subspecies (M. m. wagneri, M. m. musculus, and M. m. gansuensis) has been found. The populations of Eastern Europe were repeatedly mixed due to the dispersal of the house mouse through human activity, while Siberia and Japan were inhabited by only one line of M. musculus. According to our data, the phylogenetic lineage of the house mouse from Transcaucasia turned out to be monophyletic, in contrast to some other identified lines.

Automated summary

A study of 153 individuals of Mus musculus found that they carry 120 haplotypes of the mtDNA control region. Seven phylogroups were identified, with different lineages found in Europe, Asia, and Transcaucasia. The dispersal of M. musculus in Eastern Europe may have originated from Transcaucasia, a possible center of origin. The subspecies of M. musculus (M. m. wagneri, M. m. musculus, and M. m. gansuensis) show no differentiation. The populations of Eastern Europe were repeatedly mixed due to human activity, while Siberia and Japan were inhabited by a single lineage of M. musculus. Our data shows that the phylogenetic lineage of the house mouse from Transcaucasia is monophyletic.