# Fine Scale Phylogeography of Urban Western European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus in South‐East England

## TL;DR

This study finds higher genetic diversity in hedgehogs in southeast England than previously known, with some urban areas showing signs of genetic isolation.

## Contribution

The study identifies six novel hedgehog haplotypes in southeast England and suggests genetic isolation in central London urban sites.

## Key findings

- Seven haplotypes were identified in southeast England, six of which are novel.
- Most haplotypes are widespread, but central London shows signs of genetic isolation.
- Low sequence divergence is observed compared to France and Jersey.

## Abstract

Preserving genetic diversity within species and populations is an important conservation goal, yet observed genetic structure can be influenced by both contemporary and historical processes. Here, we investigate the phylogeography of the western European hedgehog (
Erinaceus europaeus
) in Greater London, east and south‐east England, using DNA sequence analysis of a section of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and control region. We find seven haplotypes within the study region, of which six are novel, indicating higher diversity than previously identified in the UK. Comparison with published haplotypes from mainland Europe identified low sequence divergence from those found in France and Jersey. Most haplotypes were widespread within south‐east England, in contrast to strong spatial clustering of haplotypes seen at broader scales across Europe. However, local haplotype diversity varied within the study region, with some evidence supporting the view that genetic isolation has led to an absence of haplotypes in urban sites in central London. Broader UK‐wide sampling is recommended to ascertain whether additional haplotype lineages and geographic structuring exist at larger spatial scales in the UK. These findings may have important considerations for future hedgehog conservation efforts.

Detailed investigation of the phylogeography of western European hedgehogs in Greater London, east and south‐east England using DNA sequence analysis of a section of mitochondrial cytb gene and control region identifies higher haplotype diversity than previously found in the UK. Little local‐scale spatial structuring is seen, in contrast to broader scales across mainland Europe, but there is some evidence of potentially low haplotype diversity in isolated urban sites in central London. These findings may have important considerations for future hedgehog conservation efforts.