Independent evolutionary histories in allopatric populations of a threatened Caribbean land mammal

Abstract

Aim: To determine the evolutionary history, relationships and distinctiveness of allopatric populations of Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus), a highly threatened Caribbean ‘relict’ mammal, to understand spatio-temporal patterns of gene flow and the distribution of diversity across complex large island landscapes and inform spatial conservation prioritization. Location: Historical and modern-day solenodon specimens were analysed from sampling localities across Hispaniola, representing this geotectonically complex island's distinct northern, south-eastern and south-western biogeographic provinces.