Colangelo P. auteur aut IRD Verheyen E. auteur aut IRD Leirs H. auteur aut IRD Tatard C. auteur aut IRD Denys C. auteur aut IRD Dobigny Gauthier auteur aut IRD Duplantier Jean-Marc auteur aut IRD Brouat Carine auteur aut IRD Granjon Laurent auteur aut IRD Lecompte E. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access In order to evaluate the contribution of geological, environmental, and climatic changes to the spatial distribution of genetic variation of Mastomys natalensis, we analysed cytochromeb sequences from the whole distribution area of the species to infer its phylogeographic structure and historical demography. Six well-supported phylogroups, differentiated during the Pleistocene, were evidenced. No significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances was found at the continental scale, and the geographic distributions of the observed phylogroups have resulted from extensive periods of isolation caused by the presence of putative geographic and ecological barriers. The diversification events were probably influenced by habitat contraction/expansion cycles that may have complemented topographic barriers to induce genetic drift and lineage sorting. According to our results, we propose a scenario where climate-driven processes may have played a primary role in the differentiation among phylogroups.(c) 2013 The Linnean Society of London specialized African savannah climate changes geographic barrier isolation by distance vicariance AFRIQUE 080 020 108 4 901-916 2013 0024-4066 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010060748 10.1111/bij.12013 0024-4066 [F B010060748] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010060748 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2013/04/010060748.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2013-05-02 2017-08-23 fdi:010060748 fre