1
|
Arana A, Esteves J, Ramírez R, Galetti PM, Pérez Z J, Ramirez JL. Population genomics reveals how 5 ka of human occupancy led the Lima leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus sentosus) to the brink of extinction. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18465. [PMID: 37891335 PMCID: PMC10611785 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45715-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Small species with high home fidelity, high ecological specialization or low vagility are particularly prone to suffer from habitat modification and fragmentation. The Lima leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus sentosus) is a critically endangered Peruvian species that shelters mostly in pre-Incan archeological areas called huacas, where the original environmental conditions are maintained. We used genotyping by sequencing to understand the population genomic history of P. sentosus. We found low genetic diversity (He 0.0406-0.134 and nucleotide diversity 0.0812-0.145) and deviations of the observed heterozygosity relative to the expected heterozygosity in some populations (Fis - 0.0202 to 0.0187). In all analyses, a clear population structuring was observed that cannot be explained by isolation by distance alone. Also, low levels of historical gene flow were observed between most populations, which decreased as shown in contemporary migration rate analysis. Demographic inference suggests these populations experienced bottleneck events during the last 5 ka. These results indicate that habitat modification since pre-Incan civilizations severely affected these populations, which currently face even more drastic urbanization threats. Finally, our predictions show that this species could become extinct in a decade without further intervention, which calls for urgent conservation actions being undertaken.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Arana
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Juan Esteves
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Rina Ramírez
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Pedro M Galetti
- Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil
| | - José Pérez Z
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Jorge L Ramirez
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Madani G, Pietsch R, Beranek CT. Where are my dragons? Replicating refugia to enhance the detection probability of an endangered cryptic reptile. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2023.103910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
|
3
|
Nemitz-Kliemchen M, Andres C, Hofmann S, Ramírez AMP, Stoev P, Tzankov N, Schaffer S, Bernhard D, Henle K, Schlegel M. Spatial and genetic structure of a Lacerta viridis metapopulation in a fragmented landscape in Bulgaria. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
|
4
|
Differential effects of habitat loss on occupancy patterns of the eastern green lizard Lacerta viridis at the core and periphery of its distribution range. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229600. [PMID: 32134932 PMCID: PMC7058328 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of habitat loss on the distribution of populations are often linked with species specialization degree. Specialist species can be more affected by changes in landscape structure and local patch characteristics compared to generalist species. Moreover, the spatial scale at which different land covers (eg. habitat, cropland, urban areas) affect specialist species can be smaller. Specialization is usually assumed as a constant trait along the distribution range of species. However, for several taxa, there is evidence of higher specialization degree in peripheral populations compared with populations in the core. Hence, peripheral populations should have a higher sensitivity to habitat loss, and strongest effects should be found at a smaller spatial scale. To test these expectations, we implemented a patch-landscape approach at different spatial scales, and compared effects of landscape structure and patch characteristics on occupancy probability among northern peripheral, more specialized populations (Czech Republic) and core populations (Bulgaria) of the eastern green lizard Lacerta viridis. We found that landscape structure and patch characteristics affect differently the occupancy probability of Lacerta viridis in each region. Strongest effects of habitat loss were found at a spatial scale of 150m around patches in the periphery, but at a scale of 500m in the core. In the periphery occupancy probability of populations was principally affected by landscape composition, and the effect of habitat quality was stronger compared to core populations. In the core, persistence of populations was mainly explained by characteristics of the spatial configuration of habitat patches. We discuss possible ecological mechanisms behind the relationship between sensitivity to habitat loss, populations' specialization degree and position in the distribution range, and suggest conservation measures for L. viridis.
Collapse
|
5
|
Hansen NA, Driscoll DA, Michael DR, Lindenmayer DB. Movement patterns of an arboreal gecko in fragmented agricultural landscapes reveal matrix avoidance. Anim Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. A. Hansen
- Fenner School of Environmental and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - D. A. Driscoll
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Melbourne VIC Australia
| | - D. R. Michael
- Fenner School of Environmental and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - D. B. Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environmental and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
- Sustainable Farms Fenner School of Environmental and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
French SS, Webb AC, Hudson SB, Virgin EE. Town and Country Reptiles: A Review of Reptilian Responses to Urbanization. Integr Comp Biol 2019; 58:948-966. [PMID: 29873730 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icy052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of the world population is now inhabiting urban areas, and with staggering population growth, urbanization is also increasing. While the work studying the effects of changing landscapes and specific urban pressures on wildlife is beginning to amass, the majority of this work focuses on avian or mammalian species. However, the effects of urbanization likely vary substantially across taxonomic groups due to differences in habitat requirements and life history. The current article aims first to broaden the review of urban effects across reptilian species; second, to summarize the responses of reptilian fauna to specific urban features; and third, to assess the directionality of individual and population level responses to urbanization in reptile species. Based on our findings, urban research in reptilian taxa is lacking in the following areas: (1) investigating interactive or additive urban factors, (2) measuring multiple morphological, behavioral, and physiological endpoints within an animal, (3) linking individual to population-level responses, and (4) testing genetic/genomic differences across an urban environment as evidence for selective pressures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susannah S French
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Alison C Webb
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Spencer B Hudson
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| | - Emily E Virgin
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA and Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Nguyen HN, Lu CW, Chu JH, Grismer LL, Hung CM, Lin SM. Historical demography of four gecko species specializing in boulder cave habitat: Implications in the evolutionary dead end hypothesis and conservation. Mol Ecol 2018; 28:772-784. [PMID: 30580492 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Specialization in narrow ecological niches may not only help species to survive in competitive or unique environments but also contribute to their extermination over evolutionary time. Although the "evolutionary dead end" hypothesis has long been debated, empirical evidence from species with detailed information on niche specialization and evolutionary history remains rare. Here we use a group of four closely related Cnemaspis gecko species that depend highly on granite boulder caves in the Mekong Delta to investigate the potential impact of ecological specialization on their evolution and population dynamics. Isolated by unsuitable floodplain habitats, these boulder-dwelling geckos are among the most narrowly distributed Squamata in the world. We applied several coalescence-based approaches combined with the RAD-seq technique to estimate their divergence times, gene flow and demographic fluctuations during the speciation and population differentiation processes. Our results reveal long-term population shrinkage in the four geckos and limited gene flow during their divergence. The results suggest that the erosion and fragmentation of the granite boulder hills have greatly impacted population divergence and declines. The habitat specialization of these geckos has led to fine-scaled speciation in these granite rocky hills; in contrast, specialization might also have pushed these species toward the edge of extinction. Our study also emphasizes the conservation urgency of these vulnerable, cave-dependent geckos.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hung N Nguyen
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Zoology, Southern Institute of Ecology, Vietnam Academia of Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Lu
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Hua Chu
- Center for Systems Biology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | | | - Chih-Ming Hung
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Si-Min Lin
- Biodiversity Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Murphy C, Burnett S, Conroy GC, Howland BWA, Lamont RW, Sumner J, Ogbourne SM. Genetic diversity and structure of the threatened striped legless lizard, Delma impar: management implications for the species and a translocated population. CONSERV GENET 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-018-1127-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
9
|
Steinicke H, Pe’er G, Henle K. Abundance and survival rates of three leaf-litter frog species in fragments and continuous forest of the Mata Atlântica, Brazil. NATURE CONSERVATION 2018. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.26.25339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Habitat destruction and fragmentation alter the quality of habitats and put populations under the risk of extinction. Changes in population parameters can provide early warning signs of negative impacts. In tropical forests, where habitat loss and fragmentation are vast, such indicators are of high relevance for directing conservation efforts before effects are irreversible. Most of our knowledge from tropical ecosystems originates from community level surveys, whereas our understanding of the influence of habitat conversion on vital rates of species is limited. This study focused on the influence of anthropogenic habitat fragmentation on the survival probability and abundance of three leaf-litter frog species (Rhinellaornata, Ischnocnemaguentheri and I.parva) in forest patches of the Atlantic rainforest of South-east Brazil compared to a continuous forest. The species differ in their matrix tolerance: high for R.ornata and low for I.guentheri and I.parva and, thus, we examined whether their survival and abundance correspond to this classification. Ischnocnemaguentheri showed highest abundances in all study sites and low mortality in the forest patches compared to the continuous forest; I.parva was encountered only in isolated fragments, with very low mortality in one isolated fragment; and the matrix tolerant species had generally low abundance and showed no clear pattern in terms of mortality in the different sites. Our counter-intuitive results show that even matrix sensitive amphibian species may show high abundance and low mortality in small forest patches. Therefore, these patches can be of high value for amphibian conservation regardless of their degree of matrix aversion. Landscape level conservation planning should not abandon small habitat patches, especially in highly fragmented tropical environments.
Collapse
|
10
|
Gentili R, Abeli T, Parolo G, Ciappetta S, Montagnani C, Müller JV, Rossi G, Citterio S. Genetic structure of Leucojum aestivum L. in the Po Valley (N-Italy) drives conservation management actions. CONSERV GENET 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-018-1057-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
11
|
Michael DR, Florance D, Crane M, Blanchard W, Lindenmayer DB. Barking up the right tree: comparative use of arboreal and terrestrial artificial refuges to survey reptiles in temperate eucalypt woodlands. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/wr17117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Artificial refuges (cover boards) are a popular method to survey and monitor herpetofauna worldwide. However, one limitation of using artificial refuges in terrestrial environments is the low detection rates of arboreal species. Furthermore, destructive search techniques can damage critical microhabitat such as exfoliating rock or flaking bark of mature trees.
Aim
We tested a non-destructive, passive method of sampling arboreal reptiles in fragmented agricultural landscapes in south-eastern Australia.
Methods
We installed 84 artificial bark refuges consisting of strips of non-toxic, closed-cell foam attached to eucalypt trees in 13 patches of remnant vegetation. We used Bayesian statistics to compare differences in detection rates among artificial bark refuges, terrestrial artificial refuges and active searches of natural habitat over a 4-year period.
Key results
Active searches combined with terrestrial artificial refuges detected the highest number of reptile species, including several cryptic fossorial species. Artificial bark refuges detected, on average, 132 times more individuals of the arboreal southern marbled gecko, Christinus marmoratus, than did terrestrial refuges. Gecko abundance patterns were related to tree characteristics such as tree size, bark thickness and stand basal area, as well as survey year.
Conclusions
Traditional survey methods such as terrestrial cover boards, in combination with active searches of natural habitat, may significantly underestimate counts for arboreal gecko species.
Implications
Artificial bark refuges provide a cost-effective, non-destructive and durable method for surveying and monitoring arboreal reptiles in woodland environments over short to medium time frames. Foil-backed, closed-cell foam has broad application for use in spatial capture–recapture studies and long-term monitoring of arboreal reptiles. This method also may be effective for procuring records of threatened arboreal geckos or as a solution for providing temporary habitat in ecological restoration projects.
Collapse
|
12
|
Menger J, Henle K, Magnusson WE, Soro A, Husemann M, Schlegel M. Genetic diversity and spatial structure of the Rufous-throated Antbird ( Gymnopithys rufigula), an Amazonian obligate army-ant follower. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:2671-2684. [PMID: 28428858 PMCID: PMC5395437 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Amazonian understory antbirds are thought to be relatively sedentary and to have limited dispersal ability; they avoid crossing forest gaps, and even narrow roads through a forest may limit their territories. However, most evidence for sedentariness in antbirds comes from field observations and plot‐based recapture of adult individuals, which do not provide evidence for lack of genetic dispersal, as this often occurs through juveniles. In this study, we used microsatellite markers and mitochondrial control‐region sequences to investigate contemporary and infer historical patterns of genetic diversity and structure of the Rufous‐throated Antbird (Gymnopithys rufigula) within and between two large reserves in central Amazonia. Analyses based on microsatellites suggested two genetically distinct populations and asymmetrical gene flow between them. Within a population, we found a lack of genetic spatial autocorrelation, suggesting that genotypes are randomly distributed and that G. rufigula may disperse longer distances than expected for antbirds. Analyses based on mitochondrial sequences did not recover two clear genetic clusters corresponding to the two reserves and indicated the whole population of the Rufous‐throated Antbird in the region has been expanding over the last 50,000 years. Historical migration rates were low and symmetrical between the two reserves, but we found evidence for a recent unilateral increase in gene flow. Recent differentiation between individuals of the two reserves and a unilateral increase in gene flow suggest that recent urban expansion and habitat loss may be driving changes and threatening populations of Rufous‐throated Antbird in central Amazonia. As ecological traits and behavioral characteristics affect patterns of gene flow, comparative studies of other species with different behavior and ecological requirements will be necessary to better understand patterns of genetic dispersal and effects of urban expansion on Amazonian understory antbirds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Menger
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Department of Conservation Biology Leipzig Germany.,Faculty of Biosciences, Pharmacy and Psychology University of Leipzig Leipzig Germany.,INPA - Coordenação de Pesquisa em Biodiversidade Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia Manaus Brazil
| | - Klaus Henle
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Department of Conservation Biology Leipzig Germany.,German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig Leipzig Germany
| | - William E Magnusson
- INPA - Coordenação de Pesquisa em Biodiversidade Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia Manaus Brazil
| | - Antonella Soro
- General Zoology Institute of Biology Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg Halle Germany
| | - Martin Husemann
- Centrum für Naturkunde University of Hamburg Hamburg Germany
| | - Martin Schlegel
- Faculty of Biosciences, Pharmacy and Psychology University of Leipzig Leipzig Germany.,German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Halle-Jena-Leipzig Leipzig Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Walkup DK, Leavitt DJ, Fitzgerald LA. Effects of habitat fragmentation on population structure of dune-dwelling lizards. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle K. Walkup
- Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections; Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences; Texas A&M University; College Station Texas 77843 USA
| | - Daniel J. Leavitt
- Arizona Game and Fish Department; 5000 West Carefree Highway Phoenix Arizona 85086 USA
| | - Lee A. Fitzgerald
- Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections; Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences; Texas A&M University; College Station Texas 77843 USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Herrmann HW, Pozarowski KM, Ochoa A, Schuett GW. An interstate highway affects gene flow in a top reptilian predator (Crotalus atrox) of the Sonoran Desert. CONSERV GENET 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-017-0936-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
15
|
Smith AL, Landguth EL, Bull CM, Banks SC, Gardner MG, Driscoll DA. Dispersal responses override density effects on genetic diversity during post-disturbance succession. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 283:20152934. [PMID: 27009225 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.2934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dispersal fundamentally influences spatial population dynamics but little is known about dispersal variation in landscapes where spatial heterogeneity is generated predominantly by disturbance and succession. We tested the hypothesis that habitat succession following fire inhibits dispersal, leading to declines over time in genetic diversity in the early successional gecko Nephrurus stellatus We combined a landscape genetics field study with a spatially explicit simulation experiment to determine whether successional patterns in genetic diversity were driven by habitat-mediated dispersal or demographic effects (declines in population density leading to genetic drift). Initial increases in genetic structure following fire were likely driven by direct mortality and rapid population expansion. Subsequent habitat succession increased resistance to gene flow and decreased dispersal and genetic diversity inN. stellatus Simulated changes in population density alone did not reproduce these results. Habitat-mediated reductions in dispersal, combined with changes in population density, were essential to drive the field-observed patterns. Our study provides a framework for combining demographic, movement and genetic data with simulations to discover the relative influence of demography and dispersal on patterns of landscape genetic structure. Our results suggest that succession can inhibit connectivity among individuals, opening new avenues for understanding how disturbance regimes influence spatial population dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annabel L Smith
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Fenner Building 141, Linnaeus Way, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Erin L Landguth
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - C Michael Bull
- School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Sam C Banks
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Fenner Building 141, Linnaeus Way, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Michael G Gardner
- School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - Don A Driscoll
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Fenner Building 141, Linnaeus Way, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Geelong, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Barnett LK, Phillips BL, Hoskin CJ. Going feral: Time and propagule pressure determine range expansion of Asian house geckos into natural environments. AUSTRAL ECOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Louise K. Barnett
- College of Marine & Environmental Sciences; James Cook University; Townsville Queensland 4811 Australia
| | - Ben L. Phillips
- School of Biosciences; University of Melbourne; Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Conrad J. Hoskin
- College of Marine & Environmental Sciences; James Cook University; Townsville Queensland 4811 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Khimoun A, Eraud C, Ollivier A, Arnoux E, Rocheteau V, Bely M, Lefol E, Delpuech M, Carpentier ML, Leblond G, Levesque A, Charbonnel A, Faivre B, Garnier S. Habitat specialization predicts genetic response to fragmentation in tropical birds. Mol Ecol 2016; 25:3831-44. [PMID: 27314987 DOI: 10.1111/mec.13733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Habitat fragmentation is one of the most severe threats to biodiversity as it may lead to changes in population genetic structure, with ultimate modifications of species evolutionary potential and local extinctions. Nonetheless, fragmentation does not equally affect all species and identifying which ecological traits are related to species sensitivity to habitat fragmentation could help prioritization of conservation efforts. Despite the theoretical link between species ecology and extinction proneness, comparative studies explicitly testing the hypothesis that particular ecological traits underlies species-specific population structure are rare. Here, we used a comparative approach on eight bird species, co-occurring across the same fragmented landscape. For each species, we quantified relative levels of forest specialization and genetic differentiation among populations. To test the link between forest specialization and susceptibility to forest fragmentation, we assessed species responses to fragmentation by comparing levels of genetic differentiation between continuous and fragmented forest landscapes. Our results revealed a significant and substantial population structure at a very small spatial scale for mobile organisms such as birds. More importantly, we found that specialist species are more affected by forest fragmentation than generalist ones. Finally, our results suggest that even a simple habitat specialization index can be a satisfying predictor of genetic and demographic consequences of habitat fragmentation, providing a reliable practical and quantitative tool for conservation biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Khimoun
- UMR 6282 Biogéosciences, CNRS/Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Equipe BIOME, 6 bd Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Cyril Eraud
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, CNERA Avifaune Migratrice, Station biologique de Chizé, Carrefour de la Canauderie, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Anthony Ollivier
- UMR 6282 Biogéosciences, CNRS/Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Equipe BIOME, 6 bd Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Emilie Arnoux
- UMR 6282 Biogéosciences, CNRS/Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Equipe BIOME, 6 bd Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Vincent Rocheteau
- UMR 6282 Biogéosciences, CNRS/Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Equipe BIOME, 6 bd Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Marine Bely
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, CNERA Avifaune Migratrice, Station biologique de Chizé, Carrefour de la Canauderie, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Emilie Lefol
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, CNERA Avifaune Migratrice, Station biologique de Chizé, Carrefour de la Canauderie, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Martin Delpuech
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, CNERA Avifaune Migratrice, Station biologique de Chizé, Carrefour de la Canauderie, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Marie-Laure Carpentier
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, CNERA Avifaune Migratrice, Station biologique de Chizé, Carrefour de la Canauderie, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Gilles Leblond
- SARL BIOS, 168 rue de Brindeau, 97190, Le Gosier, France
| | - Anthony Levesque
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Cellule Technique des Antilles Françaises, Chemin de Boyer, Section Boisbert, 97129, Le Lamentin, France
| | - Anaïs Charbonnel
- Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, CNERA Avifaune Migratrice, Station biologique de Chizé, Carrefour de la Canauderie, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Bruno Faivre
- UMR 6282 Biogéosciences, CNRS/Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Equipe BIOME, 6 bd Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Stéphane Garnier
- UMR 6282 Biogéosciences, CNRS/Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Equipe BIOME, 6 bd Gabriel, 21000, Dijon, France
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Carlson E, MacDonald AJ, Adamack A, McGrath T, Doucette LI, Osborne WS, Gruber B, Sarre SD. How many conservation units are there for the endangered grassland earless dragons? CONSERV GENET 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-016-0819-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
19
|
Borthagaray AI, Berazategui M, Arim M. Disentangling the effects of local and regional processes on biodiversity patterns through taxon-contingent metacommunity network analysis. OIKOS 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.01317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Inés Borthagaray
- Centro Universitario Regional Este (CURE), Univ. de la República; Tacuarembó s/n, Maldonado Uruguay
| | - Mauro Berazategui
- Centro Universitario Regional Este (CURE), Univ. de la República; Tacuarembó s/n, Maldonado Uruguay
| | - Matías Arim
- Centro Universitario Regional Este (CURE), Univ. de la República; Tacuarembó s/n, Maldonado Uruguay
- Depto de Ecología y Evolución; Facultad de Ciencias, Univ. de la República; Iguá 4225 Piso 9 Sur, Montevideo Uruguay
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Krawiec J, Krauss SL, Davis RA, Spencer PBS. Weak genetic structuring suggests historically high genetic connectivity among recently fragmented urban populations of the scincid lizard, Ctenotus fallens. AUST J ZOOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1071/zo15022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Populations in fragmented urban remnants may be at risk of genetic erosion as a result of reduced gene flow and elevated levels of inbreeding. This may have serious genetic implications for the long-term viability of remnant populations, in addition to the more immediate pressures caused by urbanisation. The population genetic structure of the generalist skink Ctenotus fallens was examined using nine microsatellite markers within and among natural vegetation remnants within a highly fragmented urban matrix in the Perth metropolitan area in Western Australia. These data were compared with samples from a large unfragmented site on the edge of the urban area. Overall, estimates of genetic diversity and inbreeding within all populations were similar and low. Weak genetic differentiation, and a significant association between geographic and genetic distance, suggests historically strong genetic connectivity that decreases with geographic distance. Due to recent fragmentation, and genetic inertia associated with low genetic diversity and large population sizes, it is not possible from these data to infer current genetic connectivity levels. However, the historically high levels of gene flow that our data suggest indicate that a reduction in contemporary connectivity due to fragmentation in C. fallens is likely to result in negative genetic consequences in the longer term.
Collapse
|
21
|
How monkeys see a forest: genetic variation and population genetic structure of two forest primates. CONSERV GENET 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-014-0680-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
22
|
Reid BN, Peery MZ. Land use patterns skew sex ratios, decrease genetic diversity and trump the effects of recent climate change in an endangered turtle. DIVERS DISTRIB 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan N. Reid
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison WI USA
| | - M. Z. Peery
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison WI USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Hillman SS, Drewes RC, Hedrick MS, Hancock TV. Physiological vagility and its relationship to dispersal and neutral genetic heterogeneity in vertebrates. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 217:3356-64. [PMID: 25013113 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.105908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Vagility is the inherent power of movement by individuals. Vagility and the available duration of movement determine the dispersal distance individuals can move to interbreed, which affects the fine-scale genetic structure of vertebrate populations. Vagility and variation in population genetic structure are normally explained by geographic variation and not by the inherent power of movement by individuals. We present a new, quantitative definition for physiological vagility that incorporates aerobic capacity, body size, body temperature and the metabolic cost of transport, variables that are independent of the physical environment. Physiological vagility is the speed at which an animal can move sustainably based on these parameters. This meta-analysis tests whether this definition of physiological vagility correlates with empirical data for maximal dispersal distances and measured microsatellite genetic differentiation with distance {[F(ST)/[1-F(ST))]/ln distance} for amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals utilizing three locomotor modes (running, flying, swimming). Maximal dispersal distance and physiological vagility increased with body mass for amphibians, reptiles and mammals utilizing terrestrial movement. The relative slopes of these relationships indicate that larger individuals require longer movement durations to achieve maximal dispersal distances. Both physiological vagility and maximal dispersal distance were independent of body mass for flying vertebrates. Genetic differentiation with distance was greatest for terrestrial locomotion, with amphibians showing the greatest mean and variance in differentiation. Flying birds, flying mammals and swimming marine mammals showed the least differentiation. Mean physiological vagility of different groups (class and locomotor mode) accounted for 98% of the mean variation in genetic differentiation with distance in each group. Genetic differentiation with distance was not related to body mass. The physiological capacity for movement (physiological vagility) quantitatively predicts genetic isolation by distance in the vertebrates examined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stanley S Hillman
- Department of Biology, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Robert C Drewes
- Department of Herpetology, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
| | - Michael S Hedrick
- Department of Biological Science, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA
| | - Thomas V Hancock
- Department of Biology, Portland State University, Portland, OR 97201, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Smith AL, Bull CM, Gardner MG, Driscoll DA. Life history influences how fire affects genetic diversity in two lizard species. Mol Ecol 2014; 23:2428-41. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.12757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2013] [Revised: 04/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Annabel L. Smith
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions and the National Environmental Research Program Environmental Decisions Hub; Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Fenner Building 141 Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - C. Michael Bull
- School of Biological Sciences; Flinders University; GPO Box 2100 Adelaide SA 5001 Australia
| | - Michael G. Gardner
- School of Biological Sciences; Flinders University; GPO Box 2100 Adelaide SA 5001 Australia
- Evolutionary Biology Unit; South Australian Museum; North Terrace Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
| | - Don A. Driscoll
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions and the National Environmental Research Program Environmental Decisions Hub; Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Fenner Building 141 Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Huang H, Wang H, Li L, Wu Z, Chen J. Genetic diversity and population demography of the Chinese crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) in China. PLoS One 2014; 9:e91570. [PMID: 24618917 PMCID: PMC3950216 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 02/12/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Chinese crocodile lizard Shinisaurus crocodilurus is a critically endangered species, listed in Appendix II of CITES. Its populations and habitat in China have undergone significant changes in recent years. Understanding the genetic variability and phylogeography of this species is very important for successful conservation. In this study, samples were taken from 11 wild ponds and two captive populations in China. We sequenced mitochondrial CYTB, partial ND6, and partial tRNA-Glu and genotyped 10 microsatellite loci. Our analyses of these data showed low genetic variability, no strong isolation caused by distance, and a lack of a phylogeographic structure in this species. Based on our results, the basal divergence between two clades of S. crocodilurus in China may have been caused by the formation of the Pearl River system. We found a population expansion in one of these clades. Microsatellite analysis indicated the presence of three clusters, separated by significant genetic differences. We found that most individuals in the two captive populations were from the Luokeng (Guangdong) and Guangxi wild source populations, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huayuan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Rare and Endangered Animal Ecology, Guangxi Province, College of Life Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
- Guangdong Entomological Institute/South China Institute of Endangered Animals, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Guangdong Entomological Institute/South China Institute of Endangered Animals, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linmiao Li
- Guangdong Entomological Institute/South China Institute of Endangered Animals, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengjun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Rare and Endangered Animal Ecology, Guangxi Province, College of Life Science, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
- * E-mail: (ZW); (JC)
| | - Jinping Chen
- Guangdong Entomological Institute/South China Institute of Endangered Animals, Guangzhou, China
- * E-mail: (ZW); (JC)
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Peled E, Ben‐Shlomo R, Shanas U. Specialists may thrive in small habitats: the case of high genetic diversity within a confined gecko population. J Zool (1987) 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- E. Peled
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology University of Haifa Israel
| | - R. Ben‐Shlomo
- Department of Biology University of Haifa–Oranim Tivon Israel
| | - U. Shanas
- Department of Biology University of Haifa–Oranim Tivon Israel
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Peery MZ, Pauli JN. Shade-grown cacao supports a self-sustaining population of two-toed but not three-toed sloths. J Appl Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Zachariah Peery
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; 1630 Linden Drive Madison WI 53706 USA
| | - Jonathan N. Pauli
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; 1630 Linden Drive Madison WI 53706 USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Goldingay RL, Harrisson KA, Taylor AC, Ball TM, Sharpe DJ, Taylor BD. Fine-scale genetic response to landscape change in a gliding mammal. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80383. [PMID: 24386079 PMCID: PMC3873248 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how populations respond to habitat loss is central to conserving biodiversity. Population genetic approaches enable the identification of the symptoms of population disruption in advance of population collapse. However, the spatio-temporal scales at which population disruption occurs are still too poorly known to effectively conserve biodiversity in the face of human-induced landscape change. We employed microsatellite analysis to examine genetic structure and diversity over small spatial (mostly 1-50 km) and temporal scales (20-50 years) in the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis), a gliding mammal that is commonly subjected to a loss of habitat connectivity. We identified genetically differentiated local populations over distances as little as 3 km and within 30 years of landscape change. Genetically isolated local populations experienced the loss of genetic diversity, and significantly increased mean relatedness, which suggests increased inbreeding. Where tree cover remained, genetic differentiation was less evident. This pattern was repeated in two landscapes located 750 km apart. These results lend support to other recent studies that suggest the loss of habitat connectivity can produce fine-scale population genetic change in a range of taxa. This gives rise to the prediction that many other vertebrates will experience similar genetic changes. Our results suggest the future collapse of local populations of this gliding mammal is likely unless habitat connectivity is maintained or restored. Landscape management must occur on a fine-scale to avert the erosion of biodiversity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ross L. Goldingay
- School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Katherine A. Harrisson
- Australian Centre for Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrea C. Taylor
- Australian Centre for Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tina M. Ball
- Central Queensland University and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Mackay, Queensland, Australia
| | - David J. Sharpe
- School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Brendan D. Taylor
- School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Vangestel C, Callens T, Vandomme V, Lens L. Sex-biased dispersal at different geographical scales in a cooperative breeder from fragmented rainforest. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71624. [PMID: 23951208 PMCID: PMC3739751 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 07/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Dispersal affects both social behavior and population structure and is therefore a key determinant of long-term population persistence. However, dispersal strategies and responses to spatial habitat alteration may differ between sexes. Here we analyzed spatial and temporal variation in ten polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci of male and female Cabanis's greenbuls (Phyllastrephuscabanisi), a cooperative breeder of Afrotropical rainforest, to quantify rates of gene flow and fine-grained genetic structuring within and among fragmented populations. We found genetic evidence for female-biased dispersal at small spatial scales, but not at the landscape level. Local autocorrelation analysis provided evidence of positive genetic structure within 300 m distance ranges, which is consistent with behavioral observations of short-distance natal dispersal. At a landscape scale, individual-based autocorrelation values decreased over time while levels of admixture increased, possibly indicating increased gene flow over the past decade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carl Vangestel
- Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Hoehn M, Dimond W, Osborne W, Sarre SD. Genetic analysis reveals the costs of peri-urban development for the endangered grassland earless dragon. CONSERV GENET 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-013-0515-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
31
|
Levy E, Tomkins JL, LeBas NR, Kennington WJ. Contrasting effects of landscape features on genetic structure in different geographic regions in the ornate dragon lizard,Ctenophorus ornatus. Mol Ecol 2013; 22:3904-15. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.12367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2011] [Revised: 04/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Esther Levy
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology; School of Animal Biology; The University of Western Australia; M092 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley WA 6009 Australia
| | - Joseph L. Tomkins
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology; School of Animal Biology; The University of Western Australia; M092 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley WA 6009 Australia
| | - Natasha R. LeBas
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology; School of Animal Biology; The University of Western Australia; M092 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley WA 6009 Australia
| | - W. Jason Kennington
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology; School of Animal Biology; The University of Western Australia; M092 35 Stirling Hwy Crawley WA 6009 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Lange R, Gruber B, Henle K, Sarre SD, Hoehn M. Mating system and intrapatch mobility delay inbreeding in fragmented populations of a gecko. Behav Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/art060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
|
33
|
Duckett PE, Wilson PD, Stow AJ. Keeping up with the neighbours: using a genetic measurement of dispersal and species distribution modelling to assess the impact of climate change on an
A
ustralian arid zone gecko (
G
ehyra variegata
). DIVERS DISTRIB 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Paul E. Duckett
- Department of Biological Sciences Macquarie University Sydney NSW 2109 Australia
| | - Peter D. Wilson
- Department of Biological Sciences Macquarie University Sydney NSW 2109 Australia
| | - Adam J. Stow
- Department of Biological Sciences Macquarie University Sydney NSW 2109 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Blair C, Jiménez Arcos VH, Mendez de la Cruz FR, Murphy RW. Landscape genetics of leaf-toed geckos in the tropical dry forest of northern Mexico. PLoS One 2013; 8:e57433. [PMID: 23451230 PMCID: PMC3581464 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0057433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2012] [Accepted: 01/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat fragmentation due to both natural and anthropogenic forces continues to threaten the evolution and maintenance of biological diversity. This is of particular concern in tropical regions that are experiencing elevated rates of habitat loss. Although less well-studied than tropical rain forests, tropical dry forests (TDF) contain an enormous diversity of species and continue to be threatened by anthropogenic activities including grazing and agriculture. However, little is known about the processes that shape genetic connectivity in species inhabiting TDF ecosystems. We adopt a landscape genetic approach to understanding functional connectivity for leaf-toed geckos (Phyllodactylus tuberculosus) at multiple sites near the northernmost limit of this ecosystem at Alamos, Sonora, Mexico. Traditional analyses of population genetics are combined with multivariate GIS-based landscape analyses to test hypotheses on the potential drivers of spatial genetic variation. Moderate levels of within-population diversity and substantial levels of population differentiation are revealed by FST and Dest. Analyses using structure suggest the occurrence of from 2 to 9 genetic clusters depending on the model used. Landscape genetic analysis suggests that forest cover, stream connectivity, undisturbed habitat, slope, and minimum temperature of the coldest period explain more genetic variation than do simple Euclidean distances. Additional landscape genetic studies throughout TDF habitat are required to understand species-specific responses to landscape and climate change and to identify common drivers. We urge researchers interested in using multivariate distance methods to test for, and report, significant correlations among predictor matrices that can impact results, particularly when adopting least-cost path approaches. Further investigation into the use of information theoretic approaches for model selection is also warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Blair
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Hoehn M, Gruber B, Sarre SD, Lange R, Henle K. Can genetic estimators provide robust estimates of the effective number of breeders in small populations? PLoS One 2012; 7:e48464. [PMID: 23139784 PMCID: PMC3491051 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The effective population size (N(e)) is proportional to the loss of genetic diversity and the rate of inbreeding, and its accurate estimation is crucial for the monitoring of small populations. Here, we integrate temporal studies of the gecko Oedura reticulata, to compare genetic and demographic estimators of N(e). Because geckos have overlapping generations, our goal was to demographically estimate N(bI), the inbreeding effective number of breeders and to calculate the N(bI)/N(a) ratio (N(a) =number of adults) for four populations. Demographically estimated N(bI) ranged from 1 to 65 individuals. The mean reduction in the effective number of breeders relative to census size (N(bI)/N(a)) was 0.1 to 1.1. We identified the variance in reproductive success as the most important variable contributing to reduction of this ratio. We used four methods to estimate the genetic based inbreeding effective number of breeders N(bI(gen)) and the variance effective populations size N(eV(gen)) estimates from the genotype data. Two of these methods - a temporal moment-based (MBT) and a likelihood-based approach (TM3) require at least two samples in time, while the other two were single-sample estimators - the linkage disequilibrium method with bias correction LDNe and the program ONeSAMP. The genetic based estimates were fairly similar across methods and also similar to the demographic estimates excluding those estimates, in which upper confidence interval boundaries were uninformative. For example, LDNe and ONeSAMP estimates ranged from 14-55 and 24-48 individuals, respectively. However, temporal methods suffered from a large variation in confidence intervals and concerns about the prior information. We conclude that the single-sample estimators are an acceptable short-cut to estimate N(bI) for species such as geckos and will be of great importance for the monitoring of species in fragmented landscapes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marion Hoehn
- UFZ - Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Department of Conservation Biology, Leipzig, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Levy E, Kennington WJ, Tomkins JL, Lebas NR. Phylogeography and population genetic structure of the Ornate Dragon Lizard, Ctenophorus ornatus. PLoS One 2012; 7:e46351. [PMID: 23049697 PMCID: PMC3462208 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Species inhabiting ancient, geologically stable landscapes that have been impacted by agriculture and urbanisation are expected to have complex patterns of genetic subdivision due to the influence of both historical and contemporary gene flow. Here, we investigate genetic differences among populations of the granite outcrop-dwelling lizard Ctenophorus ornatus, a phenotypically variable species with a wide geographical distribution across the south-west of Western Australia. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data revealed two distinct evolutionary lineages that have been isolated for more than four million years within the C. ornatus complex. This evolutionary split is associated with a change in dorsal colouration of the lizards from deep brown or black to reddish-pink. In addition, analysis of microsatellite data revealed high levels of genetic structuring within each lineage, as well as strong isolation by distance at multiple spatial scales. Among the 50 outcrop populations’ analysed, non-hierarchical Bayesian clustering analysis revealed the presence of 23 distinct genetic groups, with outcrop populations less than 4 km apart usually forming a single genetic group. When a hierarchical analysis was carried out, almost every outcrop was assigned to a different genetic group. Our results show there are multiple levels of genetic structuring in C. ornatus, reflecting the influence of both historical and contemporary evolutionary processes. They also highlight the need to recognise the presence of two evolutionarily distinct lineages when making conservation management decisions on this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esther Levy
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
|
38
|
Short KH, Petren K. Multimodal dispersal during the range expansion of the tropical house gecko Hemidactylus mabouia. Ecol Evol 2012; 1:181-90. [PMID: 22393494 PMCID: PMC3287299 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2011] [Revised: 07/18/2011] [Accepted: 07/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Dispersal influences both the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of range expansion. While some studies have demonstrated a role for human-mediated dispersal during invasion, the genetic effects of such dispersal remain to be understood, particularly in terrestrial range expansions. In this study, we investigated multimodal dispersal during the range expansion of the invasive gecko Hemidactylus mabouia in Florida using 12 microsatellite loci. We investigated dispersal patterns at the regional scale (metropolitan areas), statewide scale (state of Florida), and global scale (including samples from the native range). Dispersal was limited at the smallest, regional scale, within metropolitan areas, as reflected by the presence of genetic structure at this scale, which is in agreement with a previous study in this same invasion at even smaller spatial scales. Surprisingly, there was no detectable genetic structure at the intermediate statewide scale, which suggests dispersal is not limited across the state of Florida. There was evidence of genetic differentiation between Florida and other areas where H. mabouia occurs, so we concluded that at the largest scale, dispersal was limited. Humans likely contributed to patterns of dispersal at all three scales but in different ways. Infrequent low-volume dispersal has occurred within regions, frequent high-volume dispersal has occurred across the state, and infrequent long-distance dispersal has occurred among continents at the global scale. This study highlights the importance of considering different modes of dispersal at multiple spatial scales to understand the dynamics of invasion and range expansion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen H Short
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0006
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Direct and Indirect Effects of Grazing by Introduced Mammals on a Native, Arboreal Gecko (Naultinus gemmeus). J HERPETOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1670/10-315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
40
|
Blanchet E, Lecoq M, Sword G, Berthier K, Pages C, Billot C, Rivallan R, Foucart A, Vassal JM, Risterucci A, Chapuis MP. A comparative analysis of fine-scale genetic structure in three closely related syntopic species of the grasshopper genus Calliptamus. CAN J ZOOL 2012. [DOI: 10.1139/z11-109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Landscape analysis and genetics can allow a better understanding of grasshoppers for which ecology is not very well known. We analysed landscape changes between 1990 and 2006 at two areas from southern France where three grasshopper species ( Calliptamus italicus (L., 1758), Calliptamus wattenwylianus Pantel, 1896, and Calliptamus barbarus (Costa, 1836)) occur. We then applied microsatellite markers to the study of 1200 georeferenced samples collected over both areas. We used a recent Bayesian clustering method with correlated allele frequencies to detect weak population genetic structure. We found evidence of breaks in gene flow only in C. wattenwylianus, thought to be sedentary relative to its congenerics. By using different allele frequency models and prior information to different levels of genetic differentiation for our six real data sets, our study also informs on the ability of the newly available Bayesian clustering methods model to detect weak genetic structure in natural field populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E. Blanchet
- CIRAD UPR Bioagresseurs: analyse et maîtrise du risque, Montpellier, F-34398 France
| | - M. Lecoq
- CIRAD UPR Bioagresseurs: analyse et maîtrise du risque, Montpellier, F-34398 France
| | - G.A. Sword
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Macleay Building A12, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - K. Berthier
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Macleay Building A12, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - C. Pages
- CIRAD UPR Bioagresseurs: analyse et maîtrise du risque, Montpellier, F-34398 France
| | - C. Billot
- CIRAD, UMR AGAP, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - R. Rivallan
- CIRAD, UMR AGAP, F-34398 Montpellier, France
| | - A. Foucart
- CIRAD UPR Bioagresseurs: analyse et maîtrise du risque, Montpellier, F-34398 France
| | - J.-M. Vassal
- CIRAD UPR Bioagresseurs: analyse et maîtrise du risque, Montpellier, F-34398 France
| | | | - M.-P. Chapuis
- CIRAD UPR Bioagresseurs: analyse et maîtrise du risque, Montpellier, F-34398 France
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, Macleay Building A12, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
|
42
|
Borthagaray AI, Arim M, Marquet PA. Connecting landscape structure and patterns in body size distributions. OIKOS 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2011.19548.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
43
|
WILLIAMS JOELR, DRISCOLL DONA, BULL CMICHAEL. Roadside connectivity does not increase reptile abundance or richness in a fragmented mallee landscape. AUSTRAL ECOL 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2011.02292.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
44
|
Lawton RJ, Messmer V, Pratchett MS, Bay LK. High gene flow across large geographic scales reduces extinction risk for a highly specialised coral feeding butterflyfish. Mol Ecol 2011; 20:3584-98. [PMID: 21806692 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2011.05207.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The vulnerability of ecologically specialised species to environmental fluctuations has been well documented. However, population genetic structure can influence vulnerability to environmental change and recent studies have indicated that specialised species may have lower genetic diversity and greater population structuring compared to their generalist counterparts. To examine whether there were differences in population genetic structure between a dietary specialist (Chaetodon trifascialis) and a dietary generalist (Chaetodon lunulatus) we compared the demographic history and levels of gene flow of two related coral-feeding butterflyfishes. Using allele frequencies of ≥11 microsatellite loci and >350 bases of mitochondrial control region sequence our analyses of C. trifascialis and C. lunulatus from five locations across the Pacific Ocean revealed contrasting demographic histories and levels of genetic structure. Heterozygosity excess tests, neutrality tests and mismatch distributions were all highly significant in the dietary specialist C. trifascialis (all P < 0.01), suggesting genetic bottlenecks have occurred in all locations. In contrast, we found little evidence of genetic bottlenecks for the dietary generalist C. lunulatus. High gene flow and low genetic structuring was detected among locations for C. trifascialis (amova: R(ST) = 0.0027, P = 0.371; Φ(ST) = 0.068, P < 0.0001). Contrary to our expectations, a greater level of genetic structuring between locations was detected for C. lunulatus (amova: R(ST) = 0.0277, Φ(ST) = 0.166, both P < 0.0001). These results suggest that dietary specialisation may affect demographic history through reductions in population size following resource declines, without affecting population structure through reductions in gene flow in the same way that habitat specialisation appears to. Although C. trifascialis is highly vulnerable to coral loss, the high gene flow detected here suggests populations will be able to recover from local declines through the migration of individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Lawton
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Crispo E, Moore JS, Lee-Yaw JA, Gray SM, Haller BC. Broken barriers: human-induced changes to gene flow and introgression in animals: an examination of the ways in which humans increase genetic exchange among populations and species and the consequences for biodiversity. Bioessays 2011; 33:508-18. [PMID: 21523794 DOI: 10.1002/bies.201000154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
We identify two processes by which humans increase genetic exchange among groups of individuals: by affecting the distribution of groups and dispersal patterns across a landscape, and by affecting interbreeding among sympatric or parapatric groups. Each of these processes might then have two different effects on biodiversity: changes in the number of taxa through merging or splitting of groups, and the extinction/extirpation of taxa through effects on fitness. We review the various ways in which humans are affecting genetic exchange, and highlight the difficulties in predicting the impacts on biodiversity. Gene flow and hybridization are crucially important evolutionary forces influencing biodiversity. Humans alter natural patterns of genetic exchange in myriad ways, and these anthropogenic effects are likely to influence the genetic integrity of populations and species. We argue that taking a gene-centric view towards conservation will help resolve issues pertaining to conservation and management. Editor's suggested further reading in BioEssays A systemic view of biodiversity and its conservation: Processes, interrelationships, and human culture Abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika Crispo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Duckett PE, Stow AJ. Levels of dispersal and tail loss in an Australian gecko (Gehyra variegata) are associated with differences in forest structure. AUST J ZOOL 2011. [DOI: 10.1071/zo11055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Corridors of natural habitat are often sought to maintain dispersal and gene flow among habitat patches. However, structural changes in natural habitat over space and time may influence connectivity. Here we investigate whether differences in forest structure and the frequency of potential retreat sites is associated with the genetic structure of a tree-dwelling Australian gecko (Gehyra variegata). We sampled 113 adult geckos from multiple state forest and adjacent reserve locations within the Pilliga forest, New South Wales, Australia. Individuals were genotyped at 14 microsatellite loci and levels of dispersal were inferred by the degree of genetic structuring observed in state forest and reserve. A greater proportion of dead trees and tree debris (features that are used as retreat sites by G. variegata) were present within the state forests than in the reserve locations (P < 0.05). This reduction in frequency of retreat sites in reserves was associated with significantly less genetic structuring of G. variegata, implying higher levels of dispersal. Tail loss was also significantly higher in G. variegata sampled in reserves than in the state forests. We conclude that dispersal characteristics in G. variegata are associated with structural changes to natural habitat and that this may influence rates of predation.
Collapse
|
47
|
Lange R, Durka W, Holzhauer SIJ, Wolters V, Diekötter T. Differential threshold effects of habitat fragmentation on gene flow in two widespread species of bush crickets. Mol Ecol 2010; 19:4936-48. [PMID: 20964760 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2010.04877.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Effects of habitat fragmentation on genetic diversity vary among species. This may be attributed to the interacting effects of species traits and landscape structure. While widely distributed and abundant species are often considered less susceptible to fragmentation, this may be different if they are small sized and show limited dispersal. Under intensive land use, habitat fragmentation may reach thresholds at which gene flow among populations of small-sized and dispersal-limited species becomes disrupted. Here, we studied the genetic diversity of two abundant and widespread bush crickets along a gradient of habitat fragmentation in an agricultural landscape. We applied traditional (G(ST), θ) and recently developed (G'ST', D) estimators of genetic differentiation on microsatellite data from each of twelve populations of the grassland species Metrioptera roeselii and the forest-edge species Pholidoptera griseoaptera to identify thresholds of habitat fragmentation below which genetic population structure is affected. Whereas the grassland species exhibited a uniform genetic structuring (G(ST) = 0.020-0.033; D = 0.085-0.149) along the whole fragmentation gradient, the forest-edge species' genetic differentiation increased significantly from D < 0.063 (G(ST) < 0.018) to D = 0.166 (G(ST) = 0.074), once the amount of suitable habitat dropped below a threshold of 20% and its proximity decreased substantially at the landscape scale. The influence of fragmentation on genetic differentiation was qualitatively unaffected by the choice of estimators of genetic differentiation but quantitatively underestimated by the traditional estimators. These results indicate that even for widespread species in modern agricultural landscapes fragmentation thresholds exist at which gene flow among suitable habitat patches becomes restricted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Lange
- Department of Animal Ecology, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Delaney KS, Riley SPD, Fisher RN. A rapid, strong, and convergent genetic response to urban habitat fragmentation in four divergent and widespread vertebrates. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12767. [PMID: 20862274 PMCID: PMC2940822 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2009] [Accepted: 08/06/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urbanization is a major cause of habitat fragmentation worldwide. Ecological and conservation theory predicts many potential impacts of habitat fragmentation on natural populations, including genetic impacts. Habitat fragmentation by urbanization causes populations of animals and plants to be isolated in patches of suitable habitat that are surrounded by non-native vegetation or severely altered vegetation, asphalt, concrete, and human structures. This can lead to genetic divergence between patches and in turn to decreased genetic diversity within patches through genetic drift and inbreeding. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We examined population genetic patterns using microsatellites in four common vertebrate species, three lizards and one bird, in highly fragmented urban southern California. Despite significant phylogenetic, ecological, and mobility differences between these species, all four showed similar and significant reductions in gene flow over relatively short geographic and temporal scales. For all four species, the greatest genetic divergence was found where development was oldest and most intensive. All four animals also showed significant reduction in gene flow associated with intervening roads and freeways, the degree of patch isolation, and the time since isolation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Despite wide acceptance of the idea in principle, evidence of significant population genetic changes associated with fragmentation at small spatial and temporal scales has been rare, even in smaller terrestrial vertebrates, and especially for birds. Given the striking pattern of similar and rapid effects across four common and widespread species, including a volant bird, intense urbanization may represent the most severe form of fragmentation, with minimal effective movement through the urban matrix.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Semple Delaney
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Levy E, Kennington WJ, Tomkins JL, Lebas NR. Land clearing reduces gene flow in the granite outcrop-dwelling lizard, Ctenophorus ornatus. Mol Ecol 2010; 19:4192-203. [PMID: 20831643 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2010.04810.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
An important question for the conservation of species dwelling in fragmented habitats is whether changes to the intervening landscape create a barrier to gene flow. Here, we make use of the spatial distribution of the granite outcrop-dwelling lizard, Ctenophorus ornatus, to compare inferred levels of gene flow between outcrops in a nature reserve with that between outcrops in the adjacent agricultural land. Genetic variation, relatedness and subdivision were compared within groups of individuals from different outcrops similar in size and distance apart at each site. In the agricultural land, we found significantly lower genetic variation within outcrops and greater genetic differentiation between outcrops than in the reserve. Further, the rate at which genetic divergence between outcrops increased over geographical distance was significantly greater in the agricultural land than in the reserve. We also found that individuals were more closely related within outcrops but more distantly related between outcrops in the cleared land. These effects occur over a small spatial scale with an average distance between outcrops of less than five kilometres. Thus, even though land clearing around the outcrops leaves outcrop size unchanged, it restricts gene flow, reducing genetic variation and increasing population structure, with potentially negative consequences for the long-term persistence of the lizards on these outcrops.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esther Levy
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Animal Biology, The University of Western Australia, M092, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Coulon A, Fitzpatrick JW, Bowman R, Lovette IJ. Effects of habitat fragmentation on effective dispersal of Florida scrub-jays. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2010; 24:1080-1088. [PMID: 20151985 DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2009.01438.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Studies comparing dispersal in fragmented versus unfragmented landscapes show that habitat fragmentation alters the dispersal behavior of many species. We used two complementary approaches to explore Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) dispersal in relation to landscape fragmentation. First, we compared dispersal distances of color-marked individuals in intensively monitored continuous and fragmented landscapes. Second, we estimated effective dispersal relative to the degree of fragmentation (as inferred from two landscape indexes: proportion of study site covered with Florida Scrub-Jay habitat and mean distance to nearest habitat patch within each study site) by comparing genetic isolation-by-distance regressions among 13 study sites having a range of landscape structures. Among color-banded individuals, dispersal distances were greater in fragmented versus continuous landscapes, a result consistent with other studies. Nevertheless, genetic analyses revealed that effective dispersal decreases as the proportion of habitat in the landscape decreases. These results suggest that although individual Florida Scrub-Jays may disperse farther as fragmentation increases, those that do so are less successful as breeders than those that disperse short distances. Our study highlights the importance of combining observational data with genetic inferences when evaluating the complex biological and life-history implications of dispersal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Coulon
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road, Ithaca, New York 14850, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|