Which region is the ancestry of water voles south of the Scottish border linked to?
Answer
South East Europe
There is a significant genetic divergence within the British water vole populations traceable to post-Ice Age recolonization patterns. The populations residing south of the border separating England and Scotland are understood to have descended from ancestors that migrated into Britain originating from South East Europe. Conversely, the water vole populations found in Scotland trace their genetic lineage back to migrants that arrived from the Iberian Peninsula. Recognizing these distinct genetic backgrounds is crucial for developing effective and nuanced conservation strategies across the entire UK.
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