Current Status, Future Opportunities, and Remaining Challenges in Landscape Genetics

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Current Status, Future Opportunities, and Remaining Challenges in Landscape Genetics Chapter 14 CURRENT STATUS, FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES, AND REMAINING CHALLENGES IN LANDSCAPE GENETICS 1 2 3 4 Niko Balkenhol, Samuel A. Cushman, Lisette P. Waits, and Andrew Storfer 1 Department of Wildlife Sciences, University of Göttingen, Germany 2 Forest and Woodlands Ecosystems Program, Rocky Mountain Research Station, United States Forest Service, USA 3 Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, USA 4 School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, USA 14.1 INTRODUCTION essentially replaced the isolation-by-distance paradigm with spatially explicit tests of effects of landscape varia- Just over a decade ago, advances in geographic informa- bles on genetic population structure. More generally, tion systems and genetic methodology helped usher in landscape genetics has advanced the field of evolution- the field of landscape genetics, an amalgamation of ary ecology by providing a direct focus on relationships landscape ecology, population genetics, and spatial sta- between landscape patterns and population processes, tistics aimed at testing how landscape heterogeneity such as gene flow, selection, and genetic drift. shapes patterns of spatial genetic variation. It is clear Since the inception of landscape genetics, there have that the tools developed in landscape genetics have been many calls for: (1) better communication among shaped a new paradigm for conducting empirical popu- spatial statisticians, landscape ecologists, and population lation genetics studies; although population genetics geneticists (Storfer et al. 2007; Balkenhol et al. 2009a); theory itself remains largely unchanged, the majority (2) more rigorous hypothesis testing (Storfer et al. 2007, of empirical studies of spatial genetic structure now 2010; Cushman & Landguth 2010; Segelbacher et al. include spatially explicit tests of landscape influences 2010; Manel & Holderegger 2013); (3) increased con- on gene flow. As a result, landscape genetics has sideration of proper sampling design (Storfer et al. 2007; Landscape Genetics: Concepts, Methods, Applications, First Edition. Edited by Niko Balkenhol, Samuel A. Cushman, Andrew T. Storfer, and Lisette P. Waits. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Published 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 248 Current status, future opportunities, and remaining challenges Holderegger & Wagner 2008; Anderson et al. 2010; 2012; Keller et al. 2013). While there have been a Spear et al. 2010; Landguth et al. 2012; see Chapter 4); few empirical and simulation studies on the effects of (4) developing predictive models for conservation and scale and landscape definition in the field (e.g. Cush- management, particularly in the face of climate change man & Landguth 2010; Galpern et al. 2012), the (Landguth & Cushman 2010; Segelbacher et al. 2010; vast majority of studies published in landscape genet­ Manel et al. 2010; Bollinger et al. 2014); (5) selecting ics have not addressed these issues at all. Indeed, appropriate analytical methods and understanding their many past studies have naively sought correlations underlying assumptions (e.g., Balkenhol et al. 2009b; between the genetic structure of a population and a Wagner & Fortin 2013; Chapters 3 to 5): and (6) under­ putative barrier feature, such as a road or river, standing the interactions of scale and landscape defini­ without considering that other landscape features tion with the heterogeneity of the environment in might also be important. Similarly, too few studies affecting the strength and detectability of landscape quantitatively assess the influences of alternative effects on genetic variation (e.g., Cushman & Landguth scales or landscape definitions. While some researchers 2010; Cushman et al. 2013a; Chapter 2). have begun to address these challenges by different In this book, it was our goal to summarize the current optimization procedures (e.g. Shirk et al. 2012; Gal­ state of knowledge with respect to these topics and pern & Manseau 2013; Castillo et al. 2014), this topic foreshadow a number of emerging opportunities and has not been thoroughly explored. Given the funda­ challenges the field will face in the coming decades. mental importance of scale optimization and correct Landscape genetics is a field in its infancy and is landscape definition in quantifying any pattern– characterized by rapid growth, multiple lines of parallel process relationship, we strongly feel that much and sometimes contradictory work, and an apparent more attention should be given to investigating the cultural and conceptual divide between practitioners relationships between landscape definition, spatial coming from genetic versus landscape ecological back­ scale, and the accurate quantification of landscape– grounds. Given this, the field appears to be producing a genetic relationships. confusing thicket of ideas. We are confident that over time the competition among ideas and approaches will lead to increasing clarity and, we hope, a true synthesis 14.3 CONCLUSION 2: SAMPLING of population and evolutionary genetic theory with NEEDS TO SPECIFICALLY TARGET spatial ecology. For now, we will offer our own view LANDSCAPE GENETIC QUESTIONS of some of the current and emerging challenges and opportunities, which we hope may focus and facilitate One of the largest limitations of most landscape genetics future progress in the field. Based on the previous book research conducted to date is that sampling is often chapters and other published literature, we believe that done without a priori consideration of expected land­ at least ten conclusions can be drawn about the current scape effects on genetic variation and underlying pro­ state-of-the-art in landscape genetics. cesses. However, sampling for landscape genetics can only be effective if it is based on these expectations, which should be stated as testable hypotheses (see 14.2 CONCLUSION 1: ISSUES below and Chapter 4). To derive such hypotheses, OF SCALENEEDTOBECONSIDERED we need to develop a theory that includes the multi­ faceted influences of landscape heterogeneity on Most landscape genetic studies have not carefully genetic variation (see conclusion 10). Nevertheless, considered the effects of spatial scale and the defini­ even if hypotheses are clearly formulated at the begin­ tion of the landscape, even though these aspects can ning of a study, the complexity of landscape genetic substantially affect our ability to detect relationships research will always be a challenge for optimal study between population genetic structure and landscape design and sampling. Thus, we strongly advocate sim­ features. As explained in Chapter 2, landscape defi­ ulations as a means to test different sampling options nitions that differ in thematic content, thematic before beginning a study, and to conduct a power resolution, and spatial scale may dramatically alter analysis to determine whether certain landscape– the statistical relationships between genetic varia­ genetic relationships can actually be detected within tion and landscape structure (e.g., Blair & Melnick a given study (Cushman 2014). Conclusion 5 249 14.4 CONCLUSION 3: CHOICE 14.5 CONCLUSION 4: SIMULATIONS OF APPROPRIATE STATISTICAL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN LANDSCAPE METHODS REMAINS CHALLENGING GENETICS We have not yet reached a true consensus on which Simulation modeling will play a vital role for the future analytical methods to use for the three analytical steps development of landscape genetics. Analysis of data is of landscape genetics described in Chapter 1. Reflec­ the foundation of empirical science, and is critical to tive of the rapid growth of a new field, there are a advance landscape genetics. However, when analyzing number of alternative methods currently in use to empirical data a researcher never knows the true process analyze landscape genetic data in node-, neighbor­ that governs the observed response. One can only infer hood-, and link-based frameworks (see Wagner & the process from the pattern of response and its associa­ Fortin 2013; Chapter 5). Few of these methods tion with one or multiple hypotheses. The great power of have been rigorously compared, and there is no gen­ simulation is that it allows this inferential pathway to be eral agreement as to which methods are best for a inverted. That is, in simulation modeling the researcher specific question. This is an area of utmost importance stipulates and controls the process being modeled and to advance the field and should receive very high then can generate the patterns of genetic structure that priority for future research. Given the complexity of would result from that process. This provides critical the task, we will probably never have a single method control over the pattern–process relationship that is that fits all research questions and data, but the essential to reliably evaluate such things as effect of conceptual framework suggested by Wagner and For- different landscape definitions, spatial scale, effectiveness tin (2013; see Chapter 5) helps to guide future efforts of alternative sampling schemes, and power of different for developing appropriate methods. To address some statistical methods (Cushman 2014). While there is of the challenges associated with existing methods clearly much more work to be done in developing used in landscape genetics, increasingly complex sta­ realistic and efficient simulation models for landscape tistical approaches are suggested. Unfortunately, some genetics, much progress has already been made of the more complex analytical approaches seem to be (Chapter 6). Importantly, simulations will also
Recommended publications
  • Spatial Population Genetics: It's About Time
    Spatial Population Genetics: It's About Time Gideon S. Bradburd1a and Peter L. Ralph2 May 13, 2019 1Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior Group, Department of Inte- grative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA, 48824 2Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Departments of Mathematics and Bi- ology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403 [email protected] Abstract Many questions that we have about the history and dynamics of organisms have a geographical component: How many are there, and where do they live? How do they move and interbreed across the land- scape? How were they moving a thousand years ago, and where were the ancestors of a particular individual alive today? Answers to these questions can have profound consequences for our understanding of his- tory, ecology, and the evolutionary process. In this review, we discuss how geographic aspects of the distribution, movement, and reproduc- tion of organisms are reflected in their pedigree across space and time. Because the structure of the pedigree is what determines patterns of relatedness in modern genetic variation, our aim is to thus provide in- tuition for how these processes leave an imprint in genetic data. We also highlight some current methods and gaps in the statistical toolbox arXiv:1904.09847v2 [q-bio.PE] 10 May 2019 of spatial population genetics. 1 Contents 1 Introduction 3 2 The spatial pedigree 4 2.1 Peeking at the spatial pedigree . 6 2.2 Simulating spatial pedigrees . 6 2.3 Estimating \effective" parameters from the spatial pedigree . 7 3 Things we want to know 8 3.1 Where are they? .
    [Show full text]
  • Knowledge Status and Sampling Strategies to Maximize Cost-Benefit
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Knowledge status and sampling strategies to maximize cost- beneft ratio of studies in landscape genomics of wild plants Alesandro Souza Santos* & Fernanda Amato Gaiotto To avoid local extinction due to the changes in their natural ecosystems, introduced by anthropogenic activities, species undergo local adaptation. Landscape genomics approach, through genome– environment association studies, has helped evaluate the local adaptation in natural populations. Landscape genomics, is still a developing discipline, requiring refnement of guidelines in sampling design, especially for studies conducted in the backdrop of stark socioeconomic realities of the rainforest ecologies, which are global biodiversity hotspots. In this study we aimed to devise strategies to improve the cost-beneft ratio of landscape genomics studies by surveying sampling designs and genome sequencing strategies used in existing studies. We conducted meta-analyses to evaluate the importance of sampling designs, in terms of (i) number of populations sampled, (ii) number of individuals sampled per population, (iii) total number of individuals sampled, and (iv) number of SNPs used in diferent studies, in discerning the molecular mechanisms underlying local adaptation of wild plant species. Using the linear mixed efects model, we demonstrated that the total number of individuals sampled and the number of SNPs used, signifcantly infuenced the detection of loci underlying the local adaptation. Thus, based on our fndings, in order to optimize the cost-beneft ratio of landscape genomics studies, we suggest focusing on increasing the total number of individuals sampled and using a targeted (e.g. sequencing capture) Pool-Seq approach and/or a random (e.g. RAD- Seq) Pool-Seq approach to detect SNPs and identify SNPs under selection for a given environmental cline.
    [Show full text]
  • The Climatic and Genetic Heritage of Italian Goat Breeds with Genomic
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN The climatic and genetic heritage of Italian goat breeds with genomic SNP data Matteo Cortellari 1,16, Mario Barbato2,16, Andrea Talenti1,3*, Arianna Bionda1, Antonello Carta4, Roberta Ciampolini5, Elena Ciani6, Alessandra Crisà7, Stefano Frattini1, Emiliano Lasagna8, Donata Marletta9, Salvatore Mastrangelo10, Alessio Negro1, Ettore Randi11, Francesca M. Sarti8, Stefano Sartore12, Dominga Soglia12, Luigi Liotta13, Alessandra Stella14, Paolo Ajmone‑Marsan2, Fabio Pilla15, Licia Colli2 & Paola Crepaldi1 Local adaptation of animals to the environment can abruptly become a burden when faced with rapid climatic changes such as those foreseen for the Italian peninsula over the next 70 years. Our study investigates the genetic structure of the Italian goat populations and links it with the environment and how genetics might evolve over the next 50 years. We used one of the largest national datasets including > 1000 goats from 33 populations across the Italian peninsula collected by the Italian Goat Consortium and genotyped with over 50 k markers. Our results showed that Italian goats can be discriminated in three groups refective of the Italian geography and its geo‑political situation preceding the country unifcation around two centuries ago. We leveraged the remarkable genetic and geographical diversity of the Italian goat populations and performed landscape genomics analysis to disentangle the relationship between genotype and environment, fnding 64 SNPs intercepting genomic regions linked to growth, circadian rhythm, fertility, and infammatory response. Lastly, we calculated the hypothetical future genotypic frequencies of the most relevant SNPs identifed through landscape genomics to evaluate their long‑term efect on the genetic structure of the Italian goat populations.
    [Show full text]
  • Effective Population Size Is Strongly Correlated with Breeding Pond Size in the Endangered California Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma Californiense
    Conserv Genet (2011) 12:911–920 DOI 10.1007/s10592-011-0194-0 RESEARCH ARTICLE Effective population size is strongly correlated with breeding pond size in the endangered California tiger salamander, Ambystoma californiense Ian J. Wang • Jarrett R. Johnson • Benjamin B. Johnson • H. Bradley Shaffer Received: 19 October 2010 / Accepted: 31 January 2011 / Published online: 18 February 2011 Ó The Author(s) 2011. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract Maintaining genetic diversity and population breeding habitat for A. californiense. We found no cor- viability in endangered and threatened species is a primary relation between pond area and heterozygosity or allelic concern of conservation biology. Genetic diversity diversity, but we identified a strong positive relationship depends on population connectivity and effective popula- between breeding pond area and Ne, particularly for vernal tion size (Ne), both of which are often compromised in pools. Our results provide some of the first empirical endangered taxa. While the importance of population evidence that variation in breeding habitat can be associ- connectivity and gene flow has been well studied, inves- ated with differences in Ne and suggest that a more tigating effective population sizes in natural systems has complete understanding of the environmental features that received far less attention. However, Ne plays a prominent influence Ne is an important component of conservation role in the maintenance of genetic diversity, the preven- genetics and management. tion of inbreeding depression, and in determining the probability of population persistence. In this study, we Keywords Effective population size Á Landscape examined the relationship between breeding pond char- genetics Á Dispersal Á Bottleneck Á Population structure Á acteristics and Ne in the endangered California tiger sal- Microsatellite amander, Ambystoma californiense.
    [Show full text]
  • A Longitudinal Genetic Survey Identifies Temporal Shifts in the Population
    Heredity (2016) 117, 259–267 & 2016 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature. All rights reserved 0018-067X/16 www.nature.com/hdy ORIGINAL ARTICLE A longitudinal genetic survey identifies temporal shifts in the population structure of Dutch house sparrows L Cousseau1, M Husemann2, R Foppen3,4, C Vangestel1,5 and L Lens1 Dutch house sparrow (Passer domesticus) densities dropped by nearly 50% since the early 1980s, and similar collapses in population sizes have been reported across Europe. Whether, and to what extent, such relatively recent demographic changes are accompanied by concomitant shifts in the genetic population structure of this species needs further investigation. Therefore, we here explore temporal shifts in genetic diversity, genetic structure and effective sizes of seven Dutch house sparrow populations. To allow the most powerful statistical inference, historical populations were resampled at identical locations and each individual bird was genotyped using nine polymorphic microsatellites. Although the demographic history was not reflected by a reduction in genetic diversity, levels of genetic differentiation increased over time, and the original, panmictic population (inferred from the museum samples) diverged into two distinct genetic clusters. Reductions in census size were supported by a substantial reduction in effective population size, although to a smaller extent. As most studies of contemporary house sparrow populations have been unable to identify genetic signatures of recent population declines, results of this study underpin the importance of longitudinal genetic surveys to unravel cryptic genetic patterns. Heredity (2016) 117, 259–267; doi:10.1038/hdy.2016.38; published online 8 June 2016 INTRODUCTION demographic population growth and increased genetic variation as Rapid land use changes, most severely the loss or fragmentation of a result of gene flow (Hanski and Gilpin, 1991; Clobert et al.,2001).
    [Show full text]
  • Impact of Landscape on Host–Parasite Genetic Diversity and Distribution Using the Puumala Orthohantavirus–Bank Vole System
    microorganisms Article Impact of Landscape on Host–Parasite Genetic Diversity and Distribution Using the Puumala orthohantavirus–Bank Vole System Maria Razzauti 1,* , Guillaume Castel 1 and Jean-François Cosson 2 1 CBGP, INRAE, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier SupAgro, Université Montpellier, 34000 Montpellier, France; [email protected] 2 UMR BIPAR, Animal Health Laboratory, ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, Université Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: In nature, host specificity has a strong impact on the parasite’s distribution, prevalence, and genetic diversity. The host’s population dynamics is expected to shape the distribution of host-specific parasites. In turn, the parasite’s genetic structure is predicted to mirror that of the host. Here, we study the tandem Puumala orthohantavirus (PUUV)–bank vole system. The genetic diversity of 310 bank voles and 33 PUUV isolates from 10 characterized localities of Northeast France was assessed. Our findings show that the genetic diversity of both PUUV and voles, was positively correlated with forest coverage and contiguity of habitats. While the genetic diversity of voles was weakly structured in space, that of PUUV was found to be strongly structured, suggesting that the dispersion of voles was not sufficient to ensure a broad PUUV dissemination. Genetic diversity of PUUV was mainly shaped by purifying selection. Genetic drift and extinction events were better Citation: Razzauti, M.; Castel, G.; reflected than local adaptation of PUUV. These contrasting patterns of microevolution have important Cosson, J.-F. Impact of Landscape on consequences for the understanding of PUUV distribution and epidemiology.
    [Show full text]
  • Title: the Genomic Consequences of Hybridization Authors
    Title: The genomic consequences of hybridization Authors: Benjamin M Moran1,2*+, Cheyenne Payne1,2*+, Quinn Langdon1, Daniel L Powell1,2, Yaniv Brandvain3, Molly Schumer1,2,4+ Affiliations: 1Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA 2Centro de Investigaciones Científicas de las Huastecas “Aguazarca”, A.C., Calnali, Hidalgo, Mexico 3Department of Ecology, Evolution & Behavior and Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA 4Hanna H. Gray Fellow, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford, CA, USA *Contributed equally to this work +Correspondence: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract In the past decade, advances in genome sequencing have allowed researchers to uncover the history of hybridization in diverse groups of species, including our own. Although the field has made impressive progress in documenting the extent of natural hybridization, both historical and recent, there are still many unanswered questions about its genetic and evolutionary consequences. Recent work has suggested that the outcomes of hybridization in the genome may be in part predictable, but many open questions about the nature of selection on hybrids and the biological variables that shape such selection have hampered progress in this area. We discuss what is known about the mechanisms that drive changes in ancestry in the genome after hybridization, highlight major unresolved questions, and discuss their implications for the predictability of genome evolution after hybridization. Introduction Recent evidence has shown that hybridization between species is common. Hybridization is widespread across the tree of life, spanning both ancient and recent timescales and a broad range of divergence levels between taxa [1–10]. This appreciation of the prevalence of hybridization has renewed interest among researchers in understanding its consequences.
    [Show full text]
  • Using Landscape Genetics to Assess Population Connectivity in a Habitat Generalist
    University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2010 Using Landscape Genetics To Assess Population Connectivity In A Habitat Generalist Tyler Duncan Hether University of Central Florida Part of the Biology Commons, and the Natural Resources and Conservation Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Masters Thesis (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation Hether, Tyler Duncan, "Using Landscape Genetics To Assess Population Connectivity In A Habitat Generalist" (2010). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 1567. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/1567 USING LANDSCAPE GENETICS TO ASSESS POPULATION CONNECTIVITY IN A HABITAT GENERALIST by TYLER DUNCAN HETHER B.S. University of Central Florida, 2006 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Summer Term 2010 Major Professor: Eric A. Hoffman © 2010 Tyler Hether ii ABSTRACT Understanding the nature of genetic variation in natural populations is an underlying theme of population genetics. In recent years population genetics has benefited from the incorporation of landscape and environmental data into pre-existing models of isolation by distance (IBD) to elucidate features influencing spatial genetic variation. Many of these landscape genetics studies have focused on populations separated by discrete barriers (e.g., mountain ridges) or species with specific habitat requirements (i.e., habitat specialists).
    [Show full text]
  • Recent Advances in Conservation and Population Genomics Data Analysis
    Received: 20 February 2018 | Revised: 8 May 2018 | Accepted: 21 May 2018 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12659 MEETING REPORT Recent advances in conservation and population genomics data analysis Sarah Hendricks1 | Eric C. Anderson2,3 | Tiago Antao4 | Louis Bernatchez5 | Brenna R. Forester6 | Brittany Garner7,8 | Brian K. Hand7 | Paul A. Hohenlohe1 | Martin Kardos7 | Ben Koop9 | Arun Sethuraman10 | Robin S. Waples11 | Gordon Luikart7,8 1Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 2Fisheries Ecology Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Santa Cruz, California 3University of California, Santa Cruz, California 4Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 5Département de Biologie, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada 6Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 7Flathead Lake Biological Station, Montana Conservation Genomics Laboratory, Division of Biological Science, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 8Wildlife Program, Fish and Wildlife Genomics Group, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 9Department of Biology, Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada 10Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, California 11NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center,
    [Show full text]
  • Contemporary and Historic Factors Influence Differently Genetic
    Heredity (2015) 115, 216–224 & 2015 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved 0018-067X/15 www.nature.com/hdy ORIGINAL ARTICLE Contemporary and historic factors influence differently genetic differentiation and diversity in a tropical palm C da Silva Carvalho1,2, MC Ribeiro2, MC Côrtes2, M Galetti2 and RG Collevatti1 Population genetics theory predicts loss in genetic variability because of drift and inbreeding in isolated plant populations; however, it has been argued that long-distance pollination and seed dispersal may be able to maintain gene flow, even in highly fragmented landscapes. We tested how historical effective population size, historical migration and contemporary landscape structure, such as forest cover, patch isolation and matrix resistance, affect genetic variability and differentiation of seedlings in a tropical palm (Euterpe edulis) in a human-modified rainforest. We sampled 16 sites within five landscapes in the Brazilian Atlantic forest and assessed genetic variability and differentiation using eight microsatellite loci. Using a model selection approach, none of the covariates explained the variation observed in inbreeding coefficients among populations. The variation in genetic diversity among sites was best explained by historical effective population size. Allelic richness was best explained by historical effective population size and matrix resistance, whereas genetic differentiation was explained by matrix resistance. Coalescence analysis revealed high historical migration between sites within landscapes and constant historical population sizes, showing that the genetic differentiation is most likely due to recent changes caused by habitat loss and fragmentation. Overall, recent landscape changes have a greater influence on among-population genetic variation than historical gene flow process. As immediate restoration actions in landscapes with low forest amount, the development of more permeable matrices to allow the movement of pollinators and seed dispersers may be an effective strategy to maintain microevolutionary processes.
    [Show full text]
  • Habitat Fragmentation Reduces Genetic Diversity and Connectivity of the Mexican Spotted Owl: a Simulation Study Using Empirical Resistance Models
    G C A T T A C G G C A T genes Article Habitat Fragmentation Reduces Genetic Diversity and Connectivity of the Mexican Spotted Owl: A Simulation Study Using Empirical Resistance Models Ho Yi Wan 1,* ID , Samuel A. Cushman 2 and Joseph L. Ganey 2 1 School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA 2 USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2500 S. Pine Knoll, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA; [email protected] (S.A.C.); [email protected] (J.L.G.) * Corresponding: [email protected] Received: 24 July 2018; Accepted: 7 August 2018; Published: 10 August 2018 Abstract: We evaluated how differences between two empirical resistance models for the same geographic area affected predictions of gene flow processes and genetic diversity for the Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida). The two resistance models represented the landscape under low- and high-fragmentation parameters. Under low fragmentation, the landscape had larger but highly concentrated habitat patches, whereas under high fragmentation, the landscape had smaller habitat patches that scattered across a broader area. Overall habitat amount differed little between resistance models. We tested eight scenarios reflecting a factorial design of three factors: resistance model (low vs. high fragmentation), isolation hypothesis (isolation-by-distance, IBD, vs. isolation-by-resistance, IBR), and dispersal limit of species (200 km vs. 300 km). Higher dispersal limit generally had a positive but small influence on genetic diversity. Genetic distance increased with both geographic distance and landscape resistance, but landscape resistance displayed a stronger influence. Connectivity was positively related to genetic diversity under IBR but was less important under IBD.
    [Show full text]
  • Preferred Habitat and Effective Population Size Drive the Landscape
    Downloaded from rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org on September 25, 2013 Preferred habitat and effective population size drive landscape genetic patterns in an endangered species Byron V. Weckworth, Marco Musiani, Nicholas J. DeCesare, Allan D. McDevitt, Mark Hebblewhite and Stefano Mariani Proc. R. Soc. B 2013 280, 20131756, published 4 September 2013 Supplementary data "Data Supplement" http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/suppl/2013/08/29/rspb.2013.1756.DC1.h tml References This article cites 49 articles, 8 of which can be accessed free http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/280/1769/20131756.full.html#ref-list-1 This article is free to access Subject collections Articles on similar topics can be found in the following collections ecology (1431 articles) genetics (83 articles) Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article - sign up in the box at the top Email alerting service right-hand corner of the article or click here To subscribe to Proc. R. Soc. B go to: http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/subscriptions Preferred habitat and effective population size drive landscape genetic patterns in an endangered species rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org Byron V. Weckworth1,5,7, Marco Musiani1, Nicholas J. DeCesare2,6, Allan D. McDevitt3, Mark Hebblewhite2 and Stefano Mariani3,4 1Faculties of Environmental Design and Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4 2Wildlife Biology Program, Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences College of Forestry and Research Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA 3School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland Cite this article: Weckworth BV, Musiani M, 4School of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT, UK DeCesare NJ, McDevitt AD, Hebblewhite M, 5College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, People’s Republic of China 6 Mariani S.
    [Show full text]