Biome and migratory behaviour significantly influence vertebrate genetic diversity

Willoughby, Janna R.; Sundaram, Mekala; Wijayawardena, Bhagya K.; Lamb, Maureen C.; Kimble, Steven J. A.; Ji, Yanzhu; Fernandez, Nadia B.; Antonides, Jennifer D.; Marra, Nicholas J.; DeWoody, J. Andrew

doi:10.1093/biolinnean/blw040

Cited by 11 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…A species’ range size and dispersal abilities also influence the extent of gene flow between core and edge populations, affecting the maintenance of genetic diversity (Bohonak, ; Martinez et al, ; Pelletier & Carstens, ; Willoughby et al, ). For example, having a large geographic range but being mobility‐limited, such as in small rodents, reduces the likelihood of gene flow between northern and southern populations strictly because these would be so far apart.…”

Section: Review: Understanding the Latitudinal Gradient Of Biodiversimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Populations may become more easily differentiated in large ranges, and as a result, local adaptation may inflate total genetic diversity across all populations (TotGenDiv) within a species’ range. Interestingly, however, non‐migratory vertebrate species tend to have more genetic diversity than their migratory counterparts, except for birds, which show the opposite pattern (Willoughby et al, ). This could be an indication that migratory species more frequently encounter fragmentation that causes reductions in genetic diversity, potentially blurring the otherwise expected pattern of increasing genetic diversity with range size.…”

Section: Review: Understanding the Latitudinal Gradient Of Biodiversimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A species' range size and dispersal abilities also influence the extent of gene flow between core and edge populations, affecting the maintenance of genetic diversity (Bohonak, 1999;Martinez et al, 2018;Pelletier & Carstens, 2018;Willoughby et al, 2017). for both population and genetic diversity, regardless of range size, due to differences in population differentiation across their range (Bohonak, 1999).…”

Section: Ecological Framework: Genetic Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Latitudinal biodiversity gradients at three levels: Linking species richness, population richness and genetic diversity

Lawrence

Fraser

2020

Global Ecol Biogeogr

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Motivation Theory describing biodiversity gradients has focused on species richness with less conceptual synthesis outlining expectations for intraspecific diversity gradients, that is, broad‐scale population richness and genetic diversity. Consequently, there is a need for a diversity–gradient synthesis that complements species richness with population richness and genetic diversity. Review methods Species and population richness are the number of different species or populations in an area, respectively. Population richness can be totalled across species, within a species or averaged across species. Genetic diversity within populations can be summed or averaged across all species in an area or be averaged across an individual species. Using these definitions, we apply historical, ecological and evolutionary frameworks of species richness gradients to formulate predictions for intraspecific diversity gradients. Review conclusions All frameworks suggest higher average population richness at high latitudes, but similar total population richness across latitudes. Predictions for genetic diversity patterns across species are not consistent across frameworks and latitudes. New analysis methods Species range size tends to increase with latitude, so we used empirical data from c. 900 vertebrate species to test hypotheses relating species range size and richness to population richness and genetic diversity. New analysis conclusions Species range size was positively associated with its population richness but not with species‐specific genetic diversity. Furthermore, a positive linear relationship was supported between species richness and total population richness, but only weakly for average population richness. Overall conclusion Through the lens of species richness theories, our synthesis identifies an uncoupling between species richness, population richness and genetic diversity in many instances due to historical and contemporary factors. Range size and taxonomic differences appear to play a large role in moderating intraspecific diversity gradients. We encourage further analyses to jointly assess diversity–gradient theory at species, population and genetic levels towards better understanding Earth’s biodiversity distribution and refining biodiversity conservation.

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Section: Review: Understanding the Latitudinal Gradient Of Biodiversimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Review: Understanding the Latitudinal Gradient Of Biodiversimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ecological Framework: Genetic Diversitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Latitudinal biodiversity gradients at three levels: Linking species richness, population richness and genetic diversity

Lawrence

Fraser

2020

Global Ecol Biogeogr

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“…Residency could be a main factor that shaped the populations' genetic structure (Willoughby et al 2017). The migratory behaviour in geese is culturally transmitted through generations, with offspring travelling where their parents travel (van der Jeugd et al 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation genetics of a resident population of Greylag Goose (Anser anser) at the southernmost limit of the species’ distribution in Europe

et al. 2018

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Background: Conservation of small and isolated populations can be challenging since they are prone to loss of genetic diversity due to random genetic drift and inbreeding. Therefore, information from the assessment of genetic diversity and structure are needed for conservation programs to determine the appropriate management strategy for the populations. We investigated the levels of genetic variability in a resident Greylag Goose (Anser anser) population, the southernmost breeding population of the species in Europe and the sole viable population of any goose species in Greece. Methods:A fragment of mtDNA Control Region and a panel of 11 microsatellite markers were used to search for any signs of genetic impoverishment and population substructure and to reveal the underlying processes through the identification of possible past demographic events. Results:The population was found to be monomorphic in the amplified fragment of the mitochondrial Control Region, with all individuals sharing a single private haplotype. Analyses showed a lack of any population substructure indicating a panmictic population. Although the population seems to have experienced a strong and recent genetic bottleneck and exhibits a small effective population size, we did not find evidence of either extremely low levels of genetic diversity or inbreeding depression. Conclusions:The recent demographic decline we detected and the combined influence of residency and anthropogenic factors have probably shaped the current genetic status. Our study population does not need emergency conservation actions but should be regarded as a discrete management unit. Future management strategies should focus on population and genetic monitoring and preventing further abundance declines that would increase the risk of genetic impoverishment.

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“…In many animal species, the patterns of genetic differentiation and gene flow are highly influenced by the geographical characteristics of their habitats as well as their migratory behaviour (Willoughby et al, 2017). Birds, and specifically raptors, can show long-distance migratory behaviour and also exhibit natal and breeding site fidelity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic structure of a patchily distributed philopatric migrant: implications for management and conservation

Bounas

Tsaparis

Efrat

et al. 2018

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society

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Significant demographic fluctuations can have major genetic consequences in wild populations. The lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) has suffered both population declines and range fragmentation during the second half of the 20 th century. In this study we analysed multilocus microsatellite data to assess the genetic structure of the species. Our analysis revealed significant genetic structuring of lesser kestrel populations, not only at the cross-continental scale, but also regionally within the Central and Eastern (CE) Mediterranean region. We detected signs of genetic bottlenecks in some of the peripheral populations coupled with small effective population sizes. Values of genetic differentiation among the largest populations were low, albeit significant, whereas the small peripheral CE Mediterranean populations showed higher levels of differentiation from all other populations. Gene flow levels were relatively low among the discontinuously distributed populations of the CE Mediterranean region. We argue that the observed spatial genetic structure can be attributed at some level to the past demographic decline experienced by the species. Finally, we identify management units in the region, and inform the design of conservation actions aimed at the increase of population sizes and dispersal rates among peripheral populations.

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Biome and migratory behaviour significantly influence vertebrate genetic diversity

Cited by 11 publications

References 44 publications

Latitudinal biodiversity gradients at three levels: Linking species richness, population richness and genetic diversity

Latitudinal biodiversity gradients at three levels: Linking species richness, population richness and genetic diversity

Conservation genetics of a resident population of Greylag Goose (Anser anser) at the southernmost limit of the species’ distribution in Europe

Genetic structure of a patchily distributed philopatric migrant: implications for management and conservation

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