Since we found no samples from any groups with only one of the two haplotypes, these two sequences appeared to be co-transmitted. Because software for population genetic analyses generally does not accommodate the situation of heteroplasmy or allow degenerate sequences, we treated these two sequences as two distinct haplotypes each occurring in half the number of heteroplasmic samples. As this treatment only concerned two Loxistatin Acid individuals in the reduced sample set of 77 used in genetic data analyses, it had very little effect on the results in comparison to treating the two sequences as a single haplotype. As a maternally inherited genetic marker, the mtDNA is expected to show pronounced structuring in species characterized by Microcystin-LR female philopatry and male dispersal. Limited female dispersal can lead to decreased mtDNA variation within breeding communities or at small spatial scales, and increased mtDNA differentiation over longer distances and among populations. The presence of isolation-by-distance pattern of genetic divergence in mtDNA among social groups of FS is consistent with observations of strong female philopatry in this species. However, it was unexpected that the haplotype distribution displayed such dramatic geographical specificity, with FS-JCS and FS-BZ sharing no haplotypes despite the close proximity. This phenomenon suggests that, apart from geographical distance, human activity may have a substantial impact on female dispersal which may have intensified genetic differentiation across fragmented habitat patches. Alternatively, haplotypes of the FS-BZ population may not be sufficiently represented owing to the small sample size. Maternally inherited mtDNA only provides information for female-mediated genetic processes, whereas male-mediated gene flow is not revealed in our data. Further studies should include nuclear genetic markers to investigate genetic diversity, population structure, and gene flow patterns in this species to fully understand the species�� population genetic dynamics.Human respiratory syncytial virus causes acute infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Symptoms of disease can be severe, especially in pre mature babies and in children with underlying health conditions; but also in the elderly, in adults with heart and lung disease and in immune-compromised individuals.