Impact of historical and current features of the cityscape on the genetic structure of the house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) in Dakar (Senegal, West Africa)

Population genetics of human commensal species within cities may reflect current features of the cityscape, including socio-economic aspects, as well as urbanization history. Understanding genetic structure of archetypal commensals such as rodent pests may provide useful insights to manage their populations. In this study, we addressed these issues by focusing on the house mouse Mus musculus domesticus in Dakar, Senegal. The house mouse is a major synanthropic rodent who may have been introduced as soon as Dakar was settled by Europeans at the middle of the nineteenth century. We examine genetic variation at one mitochondrial locus and 15 nuclear microsatellite markers, in mice from 14 sampling sites representing different stages of urbanization history and different socio-economic environments in Dakar. We further investigate the influence of the historical and current features of the cityscape of Dakar on genetic structure of the house mouse, using a landscape genetic approach. Genetic patterns were consistent with an introduction of the house mouse at colonial times. Spatial analyses showed that differentiation reflects both urbanization history and current urban features, which may have practical implications in terms of rodent management.