Aim For this study, we wanted to evaluate the reproductive potential of northern red maple (Acer rubrum L.) populations to identify the possible factors responsible for the scattered distribution pattern of these northern populations. Location Samara production and long‐term establishment of seedlings were observed along a north–south transect crossing the transition zone between continuous and discontinuous stands of red maple (47°80′–49°27′ N) in western Quebec. Methods Eleven populations of red maple were selected along a latitudinal gradient extending to the northern limit of the species. Seed traps were placed in each stand and distributed under the canopy of mature red maple trees. Seed abundance was tracked for 6 years from 1988 to 1993. Phenological observations were made in 1992 and 1993 at Roquemaure (Roq), a site located at the centre of the latitudinal gradient. Red maple trees were randomly selected within the population; counts of flower buds, pollinated buds and samaras produced were made in 1992–93. Samaras were collected from each branch immediately before dispersal and counted. During the summer of 1987, seedlings (< 1 cm d.b.h.) were collected and aged at each site in twenty 1 m2 quadrants and age of the seedlings (< 1 cm d.b.h.) was determined by counting the annual scars left by terminal buds. Results Samaras were produced even at the northern limit but large yearly variations were observed. Over the 6‐year period we counted 3 years (1989, 1990, 1993) when samara production was high, and 3 years (1988, 1991, 1992) when production was low. Phenological observations indicate that the occurrence of spring frosts at the time of flower bud flushing could contribute to decreasing the abundance of seeds. The age structure of southern localities had a relatively constant production of seedlings, as indicated by an inverse J‐shaped distribution. However, the five northernmost localities show sporadic recruitment. Main conclusions Populations at the northern limit are maintained essentially through vegetative reproduction and infrequent sexual recruitment. Our results indicate that regeneration within established stands through sexual recruitment is possible in all of the populations we studied. This potential becomes very low at more northerly sites and sexual reproduction alone would be unlikely to ensure successful stand regeneration. Without major disturbances in those stands, shade tolerant conifer species such as balsam fir (Abies balsamea) or black spruce (Picea mariana) would readily dominate the canopy. The discontinuous distribution of red maple stands at the northern limit is the consequence of either a random colonization of few sites during a better climatic period or remnants of a much larger distribution that has been constrained because of climatic deterioration.

Ex situ conservation management remains an important tool in the face of continued habitat loss and global environmental change. Here, we use microsatellite marker variation to evaluate conventional assumptions of pedigree-based ex situ population management and directly inform a captive lowland tapir breeding program within a range country. We found relatively high levels of genetic variation (N(total) = 41; mean H(E) = 0.67 across 10 variable loci) and little evidence for relatedness among founder individuals (N(founders) = 10; mean relatedness = -0.05). Seven of 29 putative parent-offspring relationships were excluded by parentage analysis based on allele sharing, and we identified 2 individuals of high genetic value to the population (mk

Wide application of genetic approaches has enhanced the detection of cryptic diversity, even in historically well-studied organisms. In addition to improving our knowledge of biodiversity, detection of cryptic diversity can have important management implications within imperiled groups, such as the Cuban parrot complex (Amazona leucocephala). Bahama parrots (A. l. bahamensis) were once widespread throughout the archipelago, but are now restricted to the two largest islands (Abaco and Inagua). Mitochondrial DNA-based population genetic and phylogenetic analyses revealed the distinctiveness of the Abaco, Inagua and now extirpated Acklins populations, detecting diagnostic character support and reciprocal monophyly indicative of three phylogenetic species. Congruent results were obtained for the Abaco and Inagua populations based on Bayesian clustering analyses of microsatellite genotypic data. Genetic signatures of demographic contraction were identified on Abaco, but not Inagua. These findings were consistent with lower genetics-based estimates of effective population size on Abaco, as well as the disproportionate human impacts reported on the island relative to Inagua. Overall, our results suggest that the taxonomy of the Cuban parrot complex requires revision and that the conservation status of the Abaco phylogenetic species should be immediately elevated to reflect its historical isolation, recent population decline and continued threats to its persistence.

Eight loci were characterized in lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) from GT n enriched genomic libraries. In addition, variation at five previously isolated loci in Baird's tapir (T. bardii) was characterized in lowland tapir. Number of alleles per locus ranged from four to nine, with an average of 5.35 alleles/locus. Mean expected and observed heterozygosities (0.68 for both) were high, as was the power to distinguish between individuals (multilocus P ID = 7.9 9 10 -10 ). There was no evidence for linkage disequilibrium, however, two loci showed evidence of departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and two loci tested significantly for null alleles. The relatively recent divergence among extant tapir species suggests that these loci have high potential for cross-amplification within Tapiridae.