DOCSLIB.ORG

Understanding Biodiversity at the Pondscape Using Environmental

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Understanding Biodiversity at the Pondscape Using Environmental bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/278309; this version posted March 7, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. 1 Understanding biodiversity at the pondscape using 2 environmental DNA: a focus on great crested newts 3 4 Lynsey R. Harper1*, Lori Lawson Handley1, Christoph Hahn1,2, Neil 5 Boonham3,4, Helen C. Rees5, Erin Lewis3, Ian P. Adams3, Peter 6 Brotherton6, Susanna Phillips6 and Bernd Hänfling1 7 8 1School of Environmental Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK 9 2Institute of Zoology, University of Graz, Graz, Styria, Austria 10 3Fera, Sand Hutton, York, YO14 1LZ, UK 11 4Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK 12 5ADAS, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington 13 Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK 14 6 Natural England, Peterborough, PE1 1NG, UK 15 16 17 *Corresponding author: 18 Email: [email protected] 19 20 Word count: 9,563 words 21 1 bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/278309; this version posted March 7, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. 22 eDNA metabarcoding represents a new tool for community biodiversity assessment 23 in a broad range of aquatic and terrestrial habitats. However, much of the existing 24 literature focuses on methodological development rather than testing of ecological 25 hypotheses. Here, we use presence-absence data generated by eDNA 26 metabarcoding of over 500 UK ponds to examine: 1) species associations between 27 the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) and other vertebrates, 2) determinants of 28 great crested newt occurrence at the pondscape, and 3) determinants of vertebrate 29 species richness at the pondscape. The great crested newt was significantly 30 associated with nine vertebrate species. Occurrence in ponds was broadly reduced 31 by more fish species, but enhanced by more waterfowl and other amphibian species. 32 Abiotic determinants (including pond area, depth, and terrestrial habitat) were 33 identified, which both corroborate and contradict existing literature on great 34 crested newt ecology. Some of these abiotic factors (pond outflow) also determined 35 species richness at the pondscape, but other factors were unique to great crested 36 newt (pond area, depth, and ruderal habitat) or the wider biological community 37 (pond density, macrophyte cover, terrestrial overhang, rough grass habitat, and 38 overall terrestrial habitat quality) respectively. The great crested newt Habitat 39 Suitability Index positively correlated with both eDNA-based great crested newt 40 occupancy and vertebrate species richness. Our study is one of the first to use eDNA 41 metabarcoding to test abiotic and biotic determinants of pond biodiversity. eDNA 42 metabarcoding provided new insights at scales that were previously unattainable 43 using established methods. This tool holds enormous potential for testing ecological 44 hypotheses alongside biodiversity monitoring and pondscape management. 45 Freshwater ecosystems comprise <1% of the Earth’s surface but provide vital 2 bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/278309; this version posted March 7, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. 46 ecosystem services and are hotspots of biodiversity1–3. Nonetheless, freshwater 47 organisms are experiencing a greater rate of decline than marine or terrestrial 48 organisms2,3. Ponds especially represent critical habitat for biodiversity in a fragmented 49 landscape4 and support many rare and protected species5, such as the great crested newt 50 (Triturus cristatus) which is protected by UK and European legislation at all life 51 stages5,6. Ponds contribute substantially to regional- and landscape-scale aquatic 52 biodiversity5,7–9 as well as non-aquatic biodiversity within pondscapes, i.e. a pond, its 53 immediate catchment, and the terrestrial matrix of land between ponds5. Until recently, 54 pondscapes were poorly understood5 and neglected in research, scientific monitoring, 55 and policy4,7,8. Effective management of pondscapes requires knowledge of abiotic and 56 biotic factors that influence biodiversity, community structure and productivity. 57 Moreover, the biodiversity that ponds support individually and in combination must be 58 examined, but can only be maintained if stressors and threats to these systems are 59 understood4,5,7,8,10. Exhaustive sampling of pond biodiversity is impeded by the 60 complexity of these species-rich habitats, and numerous tools required for different taxa 61 with associated bias11 and cost12. However, large-scale community-level monitoring, 62 encompassing alpha (site), beta (between-site) and gamma (landscape) diversity 63 analyses, is necessary to understand biodiversity in changing environments13. 64 Analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA, i.e. DNA released by organisms via 65 skin cells, saliva, gametes, urine and faeces into the environment) is providing 66 ecologists with exceptional power to detect single species or describe whole 67 communities14–18. The great crested newt was the first and to date only UK protected 68 species to be routinely monitored using eDNA analysed with targeted real-time 69 quantitative PCR (qPCR)19. However, entire communities can be monitored using 70 High-Throughput Sequencing, i.e. eDNA metabarcoding16–18. This approach has been 3 bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/278309; this version posted March 7, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. 71 used to estimate species richness and assess diversity along environmental 72 gradients11,20–22, but studies have typically focused on species detection and 73 methodological improvement. eDNA metabarcoding has unprecedented diagnostic 74 power to test classic ecological hypotheses relating to the distribution of biodiversity 75 and its response to environmental pressures. Ponds are ideal model systems for 76 experimental validation and examination of biogeographical patterns as small, 77 abundant ecosystems that span broad ecological gradients8; however, few eDNA 78 metabarcoding studies to date have considered ponds11,12,23–27. 79 Using ponds, we explore the potential of eDNA metabarcoding for hypothesis 80 testing. We focus on the threatened great crested newt as its ecology is well-understood. 81 Previous work established that both biotic (e.g. food availability, breeding substrate, 82 and predators) and abiotic (e.g. pond depth, area, permanence, and temperature) 83 variables strongly influence great crested newt breeding success28. These are 84 encompassed in the Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) used in species surveys29,30. The 85 HSI is comprised of 10 suitability indices (factors known to influence great crested 86 newts) which are scored and combined to calculate a decimal score between 0 and 1 87 representing habitat suitability (where 1 = excellent habitat); although some research 88 suggests HSI may not relate to great crested newt occupancy31,32. Fish species may 89 negatively impact great crested newt populations28,33–40 or effects may be negligible41. 90 Larvae tend to swim in open water, increasing susceptibility to fish and waterfowl 91 predation34,36,38, and adults reportedly avoid ponds containing three-spined stickleback 92 (Gasterosteus aculeatus)42, ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius)40, crucian carp 93 (Carassius carassius)39,40, and common carp (Carassius carpio)40. Conversely, great 94 crested newts and smooth newts (Lissotriton vulgaris) are positively associated due to 95 shared habitat preferences34,37,38,40. Great crested newts are more likely in ponds with 4 bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/278309; this version posted March 7, 2018. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. It is made available under aCC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license. 96 better water quality (indicated by diverse macroinvertebrate communities)29,40, higher 97 nutrient content, and warmer temperature43. Water clarity is important for breeding 98 displays, foraging success, and egg survival34,38. Higher density of ponds in a 99 pondscape creates more opportunity for great crested newt occupation33,36,37,40, but 100 presence is negatively correlated with pond surface area33. Heavily shaded ponds44, or 101 those with high macrophyte cover34,36,38, are less likely to support viable great crested 102 newt populations. Great crested newts are also dependent on terrestrial habitat, 103 preferring open, semi-rural pondscapes37 containing pasture, extensively grazed and 104 rough grassland, scrub, and coniferous and deciduous woodland29,38,40,44,45. 105 The extensive literature on established determinants
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Amphibian Pathogen Batrachochytrium Salamandrivorans in the Hotspot of Its European Invasive Range: Past – Present – Future
    SALAMANDRA 56(3): 173–188 Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in the hotspot of its European invasive rangeSALAMANDRA 15 August 2020 ISSN 0036–3375 German Journal of Herpetology The amphibian pathogen Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans in the hotspot of its European invasive range: past – present – future Stefan Lötters1*, Norman Wagner1*, Gonzalo Albaladejo2,3, Philipp Böning1, Lutz Dalbeck4, Heidrun Düssel4, Stephan Feldmeier1, Maike Guschal5, Kai Kirst5, Dagmar Ohlhoff4, Kathleen Preissler6, Timm Reinhardt7, Martin Schlüpmann8, Ulrich Schulte1,9, Vanessa Schulz6,10, Sebastian Steinfartz6, Sönke Twietmeyer11, Michael Veith1, Miguel Vences10 & Josef Wegge5 1) Universität Trier, Biogeographie, Universitätsring 15, 54296 Trier, Germany 2) Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, U.K. 3) Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, U.K. 4) Biologische Station im Kreis Düren e.V., Zerkaller Str. 5, 52385 Nideggen, Germany 5) Biologische Station StädteRegion Aachen, Zweifaller Str. 162, 52224 Stolberg/Rheinland, Germany 6) Universität Leipzig, Institut für Molekulare Evolution und Systematik der Tiere, Talstr. 33, 04103 Leipzig, Germany 7) Bundesamt für Naturschutz, Zoologischer Artenschutz, Konstantinstr. 110, 53179 Bonn, Germany 8) Biologische Station Westliches Ruhrgebiet, Ripshorster Str. 306, 46117 Oberhausen, Germany 9) Büro für Faunistische Gutachten, Kaiserstr. 2, 33829 Borgholzhausen, Germany 10) Technische Universität
    [Show full text]
  • 49Nurulhuda Zakaria.Pdf
    Kent Academic Repository Full text document (pdf) Citation for published version Zakaria, Nurulhuda Binti (2017) Long-term population ecology of the great crested newt in Kent. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis, University of Kent,. DOI Link to record in KAR https://kar.kent.ac.uk/77422/ Document Version UNSPECIFIED Copyright & reuse Content in the Kent Academic Repository is made available for research purposes. Unless otherwise stated all content is protected by copyright and in the absence of an open licence (eg Creative Commons), permissions for further reuse of content should be sought from the publisher, author or other copyright holder. Versions of research The version in the Kent Academic Repository may differ from the final published version. Users are advised to check http://kar.kent.ac.uk for the status of the paper. Users should always cite the published version of record. Enquiries For any further enquiries regarding the licence status of this document, please contact: [email protected] If you believe this document infringes copyright then please contact the KAR admin team with the take-down information provided at http://kar.kent.ac.uk/contact.html Title: Long-term population ecology of the great crested newt in Kent Abstract: Climate change has been recognized as one of the causes of global amphibian population declines. Amphibians may be particularly susceptible to climatic changes, as a result of their ectothermic life style and dependence on moisture. Climatic factors may affect amphibian population dynamics deterministically or stochastically, and can act at both local and regional levels. Using capture-mark- recapture (CMR) methods, population dynamics of great crested newts over two decades were compared between two separate populations in Canterbury, Kent in order to explore local and regional drivers of population change.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Habitat and Survey Criteria for the Great Crested Newt (Triturus Cristatus) in Scotland: a Case Study on a Translocated Population
    Hydrobiologia (2019) 828:57–71 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3796-4 (0123456789().,-volV)(0123456789().,-volV) PRIMARY RESEARCH PAPER Assessment of habitat and survey criteria for the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) in Scotland: a case study on a translocated population Lynsey R. Harper . J. Roger Downie . Deborah C. McNeill Received: 28 December 2017 / Revised: 22 August 2018 / Accepted: 9 October 2018 / Published online: 24 October 2018 Ó The Author(s) 2018 Abstract The great crested newt Triturus cristatus crested newt survey guidelines were assessed using has declined across its range due to habitat loss, data recorded in 2015. Some ponds had improved HSI motivating research into biotic and abiotic species scores in 2015, but overall failure to meet predicted determinants. However, research has focused on scores suggests management is needed to improve populations in England and mainland Europe. We habitat suitability. Great crested newt activity was examined habitat and survey criteria for great crested positively associated with moon visibility and phase, newts in Scotland, with focus on a large, translocated air temperature, and pH, but negatively correlated with population. Adult counts throughout the breeding water clarity. Importantly, our results indicate there season were obtained annually using torchlight sur- are abiotic determinants specific to Scottish great veys, and Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) assessed at crested newts. Principally, survey temperature thresh- created ponds (N = 24) in 2006 (immediately post- olds should be lowered to enable accurate census of translocation) and 2015 (9 years post-translocation). Scottish populations. In 2006, ‘best case’ HSI scores were calculated to predict habitat suitability should great crested newts Keywords Amphibian Á Conservation Á Monitoring Á have unrestricted access to terrestrial habitat.
    [Show full text]
  • The Dynamics of Changes in the Amphibian (Amphibia) Population
    Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Vol. 31 No 4(86): 8-16 Ochrona Środowiska i Zasobów Naturalnych DOI 10.2478/oszn-2020-0013 Wojciech Gotkiewicz*, Krzysztof Wittbrodt**, Ewa Dragańska* The Dynamics of Changes in the Amphibian (Amphibia) Population Size in the Masurian Landscape Park Monitoring Results of Spring Migration Monitoring from the Years 2011–2019 * Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn; ** Masurian Landscape Park in Krutyń; e-mails: [email protected]; [email protected], [email protected] Keywords: Biodiversity, amphibians, threats, Masurian Landscape Park Abstract The study presents the results of nine-year-long monitoring of the population size of amphibians (Amphibia) as one of the indicator communities used to assess the biological diversity level. The study was conducted in the Masurian Landscape Park located in Warmińsko-MazurskieVoivodeship. The obtained results demonstrated that 13 out of the 18 domestic amphibian species occurred in the area selected for research activities, including the species entered in the IUCN Red List. No clear correlation was found between the dynamics of population changes and the environmental, primarily climatic, determinants. © IOŚ-PIB 1. INTRODUCTION 2. FACTORS REPRESENTING A THREAT TO In Poland, 18 amphibian species live in Poland. They AMPHIBIANS represent two orders, namely, salamanders – Caudata and frogs – Anura, and six families: true frogs (Ranidae), As regards amphibians, the greatest threat is the loss of true toads (Bufonidae), true salamanders and newts habitats, which affects a total of 76 species. Contaminants (Salamandridae), European spadefoot toads (Pelobatidae), are the second major threat that affects 62 species. They Firebelly toads (Bombinatoridae) and Tree frogs (Hylidae).
    [Show full text]
  • Data on Population Dynamics of Three Syntopic Newt Species from Western Romania
    ECOLOGIA BALKANICA 2011, Vol. 3, Issue 2 December 2011 pp. 49-55 Data on Population Dynamics of Three Syntopic Newt Species from Western Romania Alfred-S. Cicort-Lucaciu1, Nicoleta-R. Radu2, Cristiana Paina3, Severus-D. Covaciu-Marcov1, Istvan Sas1 1 – University of Oradea, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology; Universitatii str.1, Oradea 410087, ROMANIA, E-mail: [email protected] 2 – Codrului str. CC13, Satu-Mare 440273, ROMANIA 3 – Aarhus University, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, Forsøgsvej str. 1, Slagelse DK-4200, DENMARK Abstract. We studied the population dynamics of three syntopic newt species [Mesotriton alpestris (Laurenti, 1768), Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758) and Triturus cristatus (Laurenti, 1768)] in Zarand Mountains (Arad County, Romania). M. alpestris had the shortest aquatic phase, approximately two months, out of which the nuptial display was 2-3 weeks long. L. vulgaris and T. cristatus spent three months in the habitat, having a nuptial display of 2-3 weeks for L. vulgaris, and of 4-5 weeks for T. cristatus. M. alpestris had the highest degree of reproductive synchronization, while this was the lowest at T. cristatus. Males from all three species had a higher affinity for the aquatic habitat than females. The population size was estimated at 769 for L. vulgaris, 588 for T. cristatus, and 294 for M. alpestris. Balanced sex ratio was observed in the peak of breeding activity for all species. Keywords: Salamandridae, aquatic phase, population dynamics, population size, sex ratio. Introduction focuses on the dynamics of the number of There are five newt species in Romania: individuals during repopulation (entering in Lissotriton vulgaris, Lissotriton montandoni, the aquatic habitat) and depopulation Mesotriton alpestris, Triturus cristatus, (leaving the aquatic habitat) of an aquatic Triturus dobrogicus (COGĂLNICEAU et al., habitat from western Romania, used for 2000).
    [Show full text]
  • Interrelation of Colouration and Morphological Traits in Northern Crested Newts (Triturus Cristatus): Towards a Non-Invasive Tool for Age Determination
    SALAMANDRA 56(1): 57–65 Interrelation of colouration and morphological traits in Triturus cristatusSALAMANDRA 15 February 2020 ISSN 0036–3375 German Journal of Herpetology Interrelation of colouration and morphological traits in Northern Crested Newts (Triturus cristatus): towards a non-invasive tool for age determination Heiko Hinneberg1,2, Eva-Maria Riedel3, Katharina Foerster1 & Alexander Kupfer3,4 1) Vergleichende Zoologie, Institut für Evolution und Ökologie, Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany 2) Hochschule für Forstwirtschaft Rottenburg, Schadenweilerhof, 72108 Rottenburg a.N., Germany 3) Institut für Zoologie, Fg. Zoologie 220a, Garbenstr. 30, Universität Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany 4) Abteilung Zoologie, Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart, Rosenstein 1, 70191 Stuttgart, Germany Corresponding authors: Heiko Hinneberg, e-mail: [email protected]; Alexander Kupfer, e-mail: [email protected] Manuscript received: 2 May 2019 Accepted: 20 January 2020 by Stefan Lötters Abstract. Determining animals’ age is important for a wide range of study fields in biology. However, age determination is often problematic because it relies on invasive techniques. For the Northern Crested Newt Triturus( cristatus) various morphological traits are believed to be age-related. Quantifying interrelations among four morphological characteristics (snout–vent length, crest morphology, ventral colouration, tail base spot size), our study demonstrated that the traits are interrelated within
    [Show full text]
  • Geographic Variation in Habitat Requirements of Two Coexisting Newt Species in Europe
    Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae 58 (1), pp. 69–86, 2012 GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN HABITAT REQUIREMENTS OF TWO COEXISTING NEWT SPECIES IN EUROPE RANNAP, R., LŐHMUS, A. and LINNAMÄGI, M. Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu Vanemuise 46, 51014 Tartu, Estonia; E-mail: [email protected] Habitat requirements of widely distributed species often vary geographically, and local habitat studies may not be relevant for populations elsewhere. This is particularly important for con- servation planning of threatened species. In this study, we explored two wide-ranging coexist- ing newt species that have contrasting conservation status in Europe: the northern crested newt (Triturus cristatus) and the smooth newt (T. vulgaris). The aim was to identify geographic pat- terns in their essential habitat characteristics, which might explain also the contrasting status of these species. First, in the northern part of their range (in Estonia), a comparative case study was carried out following the methodology of an earlier study conducted in Denmark. The ma- jority of habitat preferences overlapped in those two countries: in the northern crested newt, influential habitat characteristics were related to the terrestrial habitat, while they were linked to the aquatic habitat in the smooth newt. However, a literature review demonstrated that the habitat characteristics of those newts vary over broader scales. For the northern crested newt, sun-exposed water bodies were essential at high latitudes, while land cover type (woodland/ scrub) appeared important for the smooth newt in peripheral populations only. We suggest that the contrasting status of two species is related to their different habitat requirements.
    [Show full text]
  • Phd Thesis Themudo
    Newts in time and space: the evolutionary history of Triturus newts at different temporal and spatial scales Espregueria Themudo, G. Citation Espregueria Themudo, G. (2010, March 10). Newts in time and space: the evolutionary history of Triturus newts at different temporal and spatial scales. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/1887/15062 Version: Corrected Publisher’s Version Licence agreement concerning inclusion of doctoral thesis in the License: Institutional Repository of the University of Leiden Downloaded from: https://hdl.handle.net/1887/15062 Note: To cite this publication please use the final published version (if applicable). CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION & SUMMARY Introduction Species are confined in all four dimensions of space and time. But while geographical borders can be defined where no more individuals of a certain species can be found, temporal borders are more difficult to define, as they can not be determined directly, but rather inferred from the fossil record, palaeogeography, and genetics. It is difficult to determine when an ancestral species ceases to be and the derived species comes into existence (see, for example, DE QUEIROZ, 2007). Darwin, for example, considered species to be part of a continuum of diversification, without any real border. Species’ distributions are continuous in areas of, for example, favourable habitat, amenable ecological conditions or lack of competitors. Closer to the border, population density starts decreasing, and the distribution will pass from continuous to patchy, until no more individuals are found. In the case of two closely related parapatric species, these empty patches can be filled by related competing species (ARNTZEN, 2006). Through time, the range of a species contracts and expands, populations split and merge, gene flow stops and restarts.
    [Show full text]
  • Triturus Cristatus) in Grenspark De Zoom-Kalmthoutse Heide
    MONITORING OF THE NORTHERN CRESTED NEWT (TRITURUS CRISTATUS) IN GRENSPARK DE ZOOM-KALMTHOUTSE HEIDE SURVEY ON DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION GROWTH Name: Thimo Groffen Ma1 Biology: Biodiversity: Conservation and Restoration Organization: Grenspark de Zoom – Kalmthoutse Heide External Supervisor: I. Ledegen UA Supervisor: E. Matthysen Academic Year: 2013 – 2014 CONTENTS 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 1.1 Origin of grenspark de Zoom – Kalmthoutse Heide...................................................................................... 4 1.2 Organisation ................................................................................................................................................. 6 1.3 Northern crested newts ................................................................................................................................ 6 1.3.1 Identification of individuals ................................................................................................................... 6 1.3.2 Life cycle ................................................................................................................................................ 8 1.3.3 Distribution, conservation status and threats ..................................................................................... 10 1.3.4 Conservation of northern crested newts in Europe ...........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Phd Thesis Themudo
    Newts in time and space: the evolutionary history of Triturus newts at different temporal and spatial scales Espregueria Themudo, G. Citation Espregueria Themudo, G. (2010, March 10). Newts in time and space: the evolutionary history of Triturus newts at different temporal and spatial scales. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/1887/15062 Version: Corrected Publisher’s Version Licence agreement concerning inclusion of doctoral thesis in the License: Institutional Repository of the University of Leiden Downloaded from: https://hdl.handle.net/1887/15062 Note: To cite this publication please use the final published version (if applicable). Newts in time and space: The evolutionary history of Triturus newts at different temporal and spatial scales Gonçalo Espregueira Themudo Espregueira Themudo, Gonçalo Newts in time and space: The evolutionary history of Triturus newts at different temporal and spatial scales This thesis was financially supported by a Fundação para a Ciência e para a Tecnologia (FCT) PhD grant (ref. SFRH/BD/16894/2004) Thesis, Leiden University Cover illustration: © Nick Poyarkov Photo credits (introduction): Figs. 2, 4 - Piet Spaans; Fig. 3 - Christian Herzog; Fig. 7 - Clara Cartier; Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5 License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/ ) Fig. 5 - Ben Wielstra; Fig. 8 - Ricardo Pereira. © All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Newts in time and space: The evolutionary history of Triturus newts at different temporal and spatial scales Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van Doctor aan de Universiteit Leiden, op gezag van de Rector Magnificus Prof. Mr. P. F. van der Heijden, volgens besluit van het College voor Promoties te verdedigen op woensdag 10 maart klokke 16:15 uur door Gonçalo Espregueira Themudo geboren te Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal, in 1979 Promotiecomissie Promotor: Prof.
    [Show full text]
  • Landscape Genetics of Northern Crested Newt Triturus Cristatus Populations in a Contrasting Natural and Human‑Impacted Boreal Forest
    Conservation Genetics (2020) 21:515–530 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-020-01266-6 RESEARCH ARTICLE Landscape genetics of northern crested newt Triturus cristatus populations in a contrasting natural and human‑impacted boreal forest Hanne Haugen1 · Arne Linløkken2 · Kjartan Østbye2,3 · Jan Heggenes1 Received: 21 June 2019 / Accepted: 12 March 2020 / Published online: 19 March 2020 © The Author(s) 2020 Abstract Among vertebrates, amphibians currently have the highest proportion of threatened species worldwide, mainly through loss of habitat, leading to increased population isolation. Smaller amphibian populations may lose more genetic diversity, and become more dependent on immigration for survival. Investigations of landscape factors and patterns mediating migration and population genetic diferentiation are fundamental for knowledge-based conservation. The pond-breeding northern crested newt (Triturus cristatus) populations are decreasing throughout Europe, and are a conservation concern. Using microsatellites, we studied the genetic structure of the northern crested newt in a boreal forest ecosystem containing two contrasting landscapes, one subject to recent change and habitat loss by clear-cutting and roadbuilding, and one with little anthropogenic disturbance. Newts from 12 breeding ponds were analyzed for 13 microsatellites and 7 landscape and spatial variables. With a Maximum-likelihood population-efects model we investigated important landscape factors potentially explaining genetic patterns. Results indicate that intervening landscape factors between breeding ponds, explain the genetic diferentiation in addition to an isolation-by-distance efect. Geographic distance, gravel roads, and south/south-west fac- ing slopes reduced landscape permeability and increased genetic diferentiation for these newts. The efect was opposite for streams, presumably being more favorable for newt dispersal.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study on the Great Crested Newt (Triturus Cristatus)
    Ann. Zool. Fennici 48: 295–307 ISSN 0003-455X (print), ISSN 1797-2450 (online) Helsinki 31 October 2011 © Finnish Zoological and Botanical Publishing Board 2011 Terrestrial habitat predicts use of aquatic habitat for breeding purposes — a study on the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) Daniel H. Gustafson1,2,*, Jan C. Malmgren3 & Grzegorz Mikusiński1,4 1) Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), School for Forest Management, P.O. Box 43, SE-739 21 Skinnskatteberg, Sweden (*corresponding author’s e-mail: daniel.gustafson@ lansstyrelsen.se) 2) Environmental and Natural Resources, County Administration of Örebro, SE-701 86 Örebro, Sweden 3) JM Natur, Conservation and Restoration Ecology, Blåsippestigen 4, SE-432 36 Varberg, Sweden 4) Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Dept. of Ecology, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, SE-730 91 Riddarhyttan, Sweden Received 28 Feb. 2011, revised version received 13 June 2011, accepted 21 June 2011 Gustafson, D. H., Malmgren, J. C. & Mikusiński, G. 2011: Terrestrial habitat predicts use of aquatic habitat for breeding purposes — a study on the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus). — Ann. Zool. Fennici 48: 295–307. This study examines the structure and composition of landscapes surrounding ponds with and without great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) — a species that needs an aquatic and a terrestrial environment. We related presence and absence data to 31 local and landscape variables, in a total of 143 areas in south-central Sweden. Land-use variables were measured within the radii of 100 m (local scale) and 500 m (landscape scale) surrounding the ponds. To find drivers of the distribution of great crested newts we used a principal component analysis (PCA) and a logistic regression analysis.
    [Show full text]