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Abstract: The Emine-Bair-Khosar Cave (EBK), situated on the northern edge of the Lower Plateau of the Chatyrdag Massif (Crimean Mountains) is rich in palaeontological material accumulated over most of the Pleistocene. mtDNA was isolated from bones of three specimens of red deer (Cervus elaphus) dated to the late Pleistocene (MIS 3). These are the first ancient DNA sequences obtained for this species. The position of the three red deer individuals on the phylogeographic tree is based on mtDNA sequences of contemporary representatives of the Cervinae inhabiting the Northern Hemisphere. The results confirm the notion that the Crimean Peninsula was the north-easternmost refugium in Europe, and that during and after the Late Pleistocene it played a major role in recolonisation and dispersal of temperate species in the whole Eurasian continent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The current rapid climate change and human-induced alteration of landscapes and animal communities have led to range expansions in numerous species, raising concerns about potential negative impacts on genetic diversity, biotic interactions and hybridization with related species in newly colonized areas, and the need to adjust management plans. The recent explosive range expansion of golden jackals in Europe, now extending to the Arctic Circle, provides an opportunity to assess the consequences of this process at a broad geographical scale. We analysed the genome-wide diversity of golden jackals from nearly the entire species range, including recently colonized areas. Grey wolves and free-ranging dogs sympatric with golden jackals were also analysed to test for introgression among these canids. Our results showed that golden jackals expanded from Asia to south-eastern Europe at the end of the Pleistocene, while in more recent times they naturally broadened their range in central and northern Europe from at least two distinct southern populations. At the northern edge of the range and in the recently expanded area, golden jackals showed evidence of admixture with dogs. Further monitoring of introgression rates and phenotypic effects of this process is crucial to ensure they do not facilitate the synurbization process. No reduction in genetic diversity was observed at the expansion front, most likely due to complex expansion routes, involving multiple waves and source populations, and introgression of genetic variants from dogs. We propose the development of management and legal plans that focus on transboundary cooperation considering the observed genetic diversity and structuring. • Expansion from Asia to south eastern Europe at the Pleistocene-Holocene transition • Recent expansion in Europe is occurring from multiple southern source populations. • No apparent reduction in genetic diversity was observed at the expansion front. • Admixture with dogs at the northern edge of the range and recently expanded area • Results consistent with a natural expansion rather than invasion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The harsh climatic conditions during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) period have been considered the cause of local extinctions and major faunal reorganizations that took place at the end of the Pleistocene. Recent studies have shown, however, that in addition many of these ecological events were associated with abrupt climate changes during the so-called Late Glacial and the Pleistocene/Holocene transition. Here we used ancient DNA to investigate the impact of those changes on European populations of temperate vole species (Microtus arvalis). The genetic diversity of modern populations and the fossil record suggests that the species may have survived cold episodes, like LGM, not only in the traditional Mediterranean glacial refugia but also at higher latitudes in cryptic northern refugia located in Central France, the northern Alps as well as the Carpathians. However, the details of the post-glacial recolonization and the impact of the Late Glacial and Early Holocene climate changes on the evolutionary history of the common vole remains unclear. To address this issue, we analysed mtDNA cytochrome b sequences from more than one hundred common vole specimens from 36 paleontological and archaeological sites scattered across Europe. Our data suggest that populations from the European mid- and high latitudes suffered a local population extinction and contraction as a result of Late Glacial and Early Holocene climate and environmental changes. The recolonization of earlier abandoned areas took place in the Mid- to Late Holocene. In contrast, at low latitudes, in Northern Spain there was a continuity of common vole populations. This indicates different responses of common vole populations to climate and environmental changes across Europe and corroborates the hypothesis that abrupt changes, like those associated with Younger Dryas and the Pleistocene/Holocene transition, had a significant impact on populations at the mid- and high latitudes of Europe. • Post-glacial history of the European common vole reconstructed using ancient DNA. • Population turnovers at mid- and high latitudes at Pleistocene/Holocene transition. • Continuity of common vole populations at low latitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]