Can common species provide valuable information for conservation?

Abstract

To demonstrate the importance of genetic data for multispecies conservation approaches, we examined the distribution of genetic variation across the range of the mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) at microsatellite and allozyme loci. The mountain whitefish is a common species that is particularly well suited for accurately revealing historical patterns of genetic structure and differs markedly from previously studied species in habitat requirements and life history characteristics. As such, comparing the population genetic structure of other native fishes to similar data from mountain whitefish could inform management and conservation strategies. Genetic variation for mountain whitefish was hierarchically distributed for both allozymes and microsatellites. We found evidence for a total of five major genetically differentiated assemblages and we observed subdivision among populations within assemblages that generally corresponded to major river basins. We observed little genetic differentiation within major river basins. Geographic patterns of genetic differentiation for mountain whitefish were concordant with other native species in several circumstances, providing information for the designation of conservation units that reflect concordant genetic differentiation of multiple species. Differences in genetic patterns between mountain whitefish and other native fishes reflect either differences in evolutionary histories of the species considered or differences in aspects of their ecology and life history. In addition, mountain whitefish populations appear to exchange genes over a much larger geographic scale than co-occurring salmonids and are likely to be affected differently by disturbances such as habitat fragmentation.

Interspecific interactions influence contrasting spatial genetic structures in two closely related damselfly species

“…Since ecology of the species and characteristics of the environment strongly influence the distribution of genetic diversity within and between populations, sympatric and ecologically similar species can be expected to exhibit similar genetic patterns (Whiteley et al 2006, Dawson 2012, Hughes et al 2013. On the other hand, increasing ecological similarity of species can be expected to increase interactions between them, and can therefore create differences between their genetic structures .…”

Landscape genetics informs mesohabitat preference and conservation priorities for a surrogate indicator species in a highly fragmented river system

“…To date, most landscape genetic studies on freshwater fishes (that is, riverscape genetics) have focused on medium-to large-bodied species with relatively high migration potential (Wofford et al, 2005;Whiteley et al, 2006;Faulks et al, 2010). Very few studies have been conducted on benthic, low dispersal species that display traits that make them more susceptible to habitat fragmentation (McCraney et al, 2010;Hopken et al, 2013;Roberts et al, 2013).…”

The role of common orchids in appreciating the complexity of biodiversity conservation

“…There is a growing body of concern expressed by plant and animal conservationists that there may be an overemphasis on single species and rare species conservation with a paucity of understanding of ecosystem components and functioning for even common species (Jiguet & Juilliard, 2006;Whiteley et al, 2006;Gaston & Fuller, 2007). There is a real need for understanding of both rare and common species and their role within their respective communities.…”