Gene flow in animals is limited or facilitated by different features within the landscape matrix they inhabit. The landscape representation in landscape genetics (LG) is traditionally modeled as resistance surfaces (RS), where novel optimization approaches are needed for assigning resistance values that adequately avoid subjectivity. Also, desert ecosystems and mammals are scarcely represented in LG studies. We addressed these issues by evaluating, at a microgeographic scale, the effect of landscape features on functional connectivity of the desert-dwelling Dipodomys merriami.We characterized genetic diversity and structure with microsatellites loci, estimated home ranges and movement of individuals using telemetry-one of the first with rodents, generated a set of individual and composite environmental surfaces based on hypotheses of variables influencing movement, and assessed how these variables relate to individual-based gene flow. Genetic diversity and structure results evidenced a family-induced pattern driven by first-order-related individuals, notably determining landscape genetic inferences. The vegetation cover and soil resistance optimized surface (NDVI) were the best-supported model and a significant predictor of individual genetic distance, followed by humidity and NDVI+humidity. Based on an accurate definition of thematic resolution, we also showed that vegetation is better represented as continuously (vs. categorically) distributed. Hence, with a nonsubjective optimization framework for RS and telemetry, we were able to describe that vegetation cover, soil texture, and climatic variables influence D. merriami's functional connectivity at a microgeographic scale, patterns we could further explain based on the home range, habitat use, and activity observed between sexes. We describe the relationship between environmental features and some aspects of D. merriami's behavior and physiology. K E Y W O R D Sdesert ecosystems, Dipodomys merriami, functional connectivity, landscape genetics, Merriam's kangaroo rat, resistance surfaces
Traditional ecological knowledge involves local people's beliefs and values, and also the ecology, conservation and sustainability importance. As part of this knowledge, mammals have been fundamental in the development of human groups because of their ecological, cultural and economic values. Traditional knowledge about mammals on a particular region can be obtained through ethnozoological studies, whose can contribute to set conservation and management strategies in benefit of local people and mammal species. An ethnozoological study about wild mammals was carried out in Santo Domingo Tonala, Oaxaca, during the first semester of 2011, where the white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was the species with more stories, beliefs and uses among local people. Here we present the data obtained for this mammalian species, highlighting the importance of traditional knowledge for the fauna conservation.
The red brocket deer (Mazama temama) is one of the least studied species of deer in Latin America. In México, little information is available on this species in mountainous regions, particularly in mountain cloud forests (MCF) in the state of Hidalgo. Since red brocket deer and MCF are threatened, mainly by anthropogenic activities, it is essential to carry out monitoring to corroborate the presence of this species in the MCF of Hidalgo. Here we report new records of this species in MCF of northeastern Hidalgo, in a forest management unit. The study was carried out in the 1302 Zacualtipán-Molango Forest Management Unit (UMAFOR) as part of the Strengthening of Social Organizations in the Forestry Sector project of the 2016 National Forestry Program. Monthly walks were carried out in different locations (sites) within the area between January 2016 and February 2019. The presence of red brocket deer was inferred from evidence of scats, tracks, direct sightings, and photographic records. For the latter, trap cameras were placed at sites identified as likely wildlife passes. We obtained 20 records (1 track, 2 scats, 1 sighting, 16 photographs) of red brocket deer. The sighting consisted of an adult individual being chased by seemingly feral dogs. These records provide up-to-date information on the distribution of red brocket deer in MCF in northeastern Hidalgo. To note, records were obtained in an area subjected to forest use under sustained anthropogenic impact. However, owners dedicate their premises to conservation, specifically those including MCF. Since red brocket deer thrives in conserved forests, the records reported here suggest positive effects of forest management on this UMAFOR. Biological monitoring in the area should be continued and extended, also covering areas subject to forest exploitation, as feral dogs may undermine red brocket deer populations. Finally, we recommend the development of research projects in the area, to contribute to management plans aiming to preserve red brocket deer populations.
Forests have been globally reduced due to unprecedented rates of deforestation and habitat transformation, which in turn affects the species’ genetic structure. Despite harboring a high endemism, temperate forests are the second most degraded terrestrial ecosystem in Mexico. Therefore, understanding the spatial genetic patterns is fundamental to implement management and conservation efforts that contribute with their long-term persistence. By using Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, this study evaluated the fine-scale spatial genetic structure and the effect of landscape features on gene flow of two conifers, Abies religiosa and Pinus montezumae, each with different successional affinity, in a temperate forest of central Mexico exhibiting high landscape heterogeneity due to topography and land-use changes. Based on successional affinity of species we expected isolation by resistance in Abies religiosa and a panmictic population in Pinus montezumae. We analyzed the genetic structure and the effects of altitude, Aspect and land-use changes on the genetic connectivity patterns. A weak isolation by distance pattern was detected in A. religiosa, while the spatial component explained only the 3% of its genetic variation. In P. montezumae, a very low structure signal was detected between slopes. Overall, the analyses revealed an absence of genetic structure in both species, i.e., no landscape predictor had an effect on gene flow between the populations. We recommend increasing the spatial extent and the assessment of more environmental predictors to further support the study of genetic structure patterns in the species studied. Our study contributes with information for the conservation of Mexican temperate forests.
Since the term was coined in 2003, landscape genetics (LG) is a field that integrates population genetics, landscape ecology, and spatial analytical techniques to quantify the effects of landscape on microevolutionary processes. Despite the growing interest in LG, there is little knowledge about the trends in LG research for America in general and regarding mammals in particular, as well as about which ecosystems are being most studied. Deserts represent nearly one-third of the Earth's surface and are characterized by high heterogeneity and species richness. However, they are underrepresented in the LG literature. Hence, we performed a thorough review of published scientific articles addressing LG of mammals in America, with emphasis on deserts. The objectives were to 1) determine the mammal groups that have been most studied; 2) establish the representation of desert ecosystems; 3) describe the research questions and analytical methods most frequently used; and 4) summarize the key landscape factors and environmental variables associated with genetic diversity and structure patterns of mammals in America. We conducted a comprehensive literature search of published articles between 2003 and 2019 in the Web of Science (http://apps. webofknowledge.com) based on search words specific to the revision subject. We verified and screened the articles recovered, and gathered basic information (species, authors, publication year), together with the research questions addressed and the genetic and statistical methods used. We recovered 36 publications on LG involving mammals in America; of these, only eight were conducted on desert ecosystems (Table 1). Rodentia was the most represented order in all American ecosystems (n = 20), while Artiodactyla (n = 4) was specifically represented in deserts. Of all studies, the most common research questions focused on estimating 'connectivity' (n = 14) and 'genetic structure' (n = 12), and the most frequent analytical methods were Mantel and partial Mantel tests. Dispersal capabilities and vegetation cover were the most important variables regarding the genetic structure of desert populations. Most studies evaluated connectivity with simple and partial Mantel tests, but the use of novel methodologies (i. e., genomics) was also identified. Ecological traits of species, particularly for rodents, and vegetation cover were the main factors related to genetic patterns in deserts. Notably, we identified that North America is the most studied region, while LG studies with mammals are scarce in Mexico and South America (one study encompassed North and Central America), as well as in desert ecosystems, hence the urgency to conduct studies in those regions and in deserts. La genética del paisaje (GP) integra conceptos y herramientas de la genética de poblaciones, ecología del paisaje y estadística espacial, para cuantificar los efectos de la matriz del paisaje en los procesos microevolutivos. Los ecosistemas de desierto están caracterizados por una alta heterogeneidad y riqueza de especies; sin ...
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