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. 2013 Aug 29;8(8):e73647. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073647

Figure 4. Scenario explaining discrepancies between mtDNA and nDNA diversity in R. brelichi.

Figure 4

In historical times, R. brelichi was distributed over a larger area than today comprising several subpopulations or demes (A–G) with respective different mtDNA haplogroup assemblages. Due to male migration between these demes, nDNA was transferred between them and equalized nDNA diversity among demes, but not so for mtDNA. After partial habitat and population loss in this example only one deme survived (E; dashed circles), containing just a subset of the original mtDNA haplotypes but almost all nDNA diversity. Thus, mtDNA diversity was strongly reduced while nDNA diversity remained comparatively high.