Combining genetic structure and ecological niche modeling to establish units of conservation: A case study of an imperiled salamander

May, Sarah Elizabeth; Medley, Kim A.; Johnson, Steve A.; Hoffman, Eric A.

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2011.01.013

Cited by 28 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Analyses herein identified other lineages with higher conservation priority, reinforcing the premise that management efforts should first identify and preserve the most ecologically and evolutionarily divergent units (May et al . ). Furthermore, these results suggest management action should not rely principally on antiquated taxonomy (Gippoliti & Amori ), but instead emphasize ecological distinction and evolutionary history.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Using biogeographical history to inform conservation: the case of Preble's meadow jumping mouse

Malaney

Cook

2013

Molecular Ecology

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The last Pleistocene deglaciation shaped temperate and boreal communities in North America. Rapid northward expansion into high latitudes created distinctive spatial genetic patterns within species that include closely related groups of populations that are now widely spread across latitudes, while longitudinally adjacent populations, especially those near the southern periphery, often are distinctive due to long-term disjunction. Across a spatial expanse that includes both recently colonized and long-occupied regions, we analysed molecular variation in zapodid rodents to explore how past climate shifts influenced diversification in this group. By combining molecular analyses with species distribution modelling and tests of ecological interchangeability, we show that the lineage including the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), a US federally listed taxon of conservation concern, is not restricted to the southern Rocky Mountains. Rather, populations along the Front Range are part of a single lineage that is ecologically indistinct and extends to the far north. Of the 21 lineages identified, this Northern lineage has the largest geographical range and low measures of intralineage genetic differentiation, consistent with recent northward expansion. Comprehensive sampling combined with coalescent-based analyses and niche modelling leads to a radically different view of geographical structure within jumping mice and indicates the need to re-evaluate their taxonomy and management. This analysis highlights a premise in conservation biology that biogeographical history should play a central role in establishing conservation priorities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…; Franklin ; Scoble & Lowe ; May et al . ) were constructed from contemporary locality records and retrospectively applied to the past to identify potential paleodistributions (i.e. at LGM; Waltari et al .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using biogeographical history to inform conservation: the case of Preble's meadow jumping mouse

Malaney

Cook

2013

Molecular Ecology

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“…Importantly, the study suggests that lineages of P. darwini may not behave as a single ecological unit to future GCC scenarios. Given that high levels of cryptic diversity below species level is a frequent pattern (Bálint et al ., ), the integration of genetic and ecological tools must be encouraged (May et al ., ) as a way to understand the complex distributional responses of species and biotas, in order to prevent massive cryptic biodiversity losses in the future. The methodology proposed in this work could be a way to make more realistic predictions for conservation planning in the future global change scenario.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating phylogeography and species distribution models: cryptic distributional responses to past climate change in an endemic rodent from the central Chile hotspot

Gutiérrez-Tapia

Palma

2016

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim Biodiversity losses under the species level may have been severely underestimated in future global climate change scenarios. Therefore, it is important to characterize the diversity units at this level, as well as to understand their ecological responses to climatic forcings. We have chosen an endemic rodent from a highly endangered ecogeographic area as a model to look for distributional responses below the species level: Phyllotis darwini. Location The central Chile biodiversity hotspot: This area harbours a high number of endemic species, and it is known to have experienced vegetational displacements between two mountain systems during and after the Last Glacial Maximum. Methods We have characterized cryptic lineages inside P. darwini in a classic phylogeographic approach; those intraspecific lineages were considered as relevant units to construct distribution models at Last Glacial Maximum and at present, as border climatic conditions. Differences in distribution between border conditions for each lineage were interpreted as distributional responses to post-glacial climate change. Results The species is composed of two major phylogroups: one of them has a broad distribution mainly across the valley but also in mountain ranges, whereas the other displays a disjunct distribution across both mountain ranges and always above 1500 m. The lineage distribution model under LGM climatic conditions suggests that both lineages were co-distributed in the southern portion of P. darwini’s current geographic range, mainly at the valley and at the coast. Main conclusions Present distribution of lineages in P. darwini is the consequence of a cryptic distributional response to climate change after LGM: postglacial northward colonization, with strict altitudinal segregation of both phylogroups.

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“…Fraser and Bernatchez (2001) outline an adaptive evolutionary conservation approach which aims to provide a more unified concept that includes both genetic and ecological considerations and a more flexible species-specific approach. At present, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines for within ESUs, however they are defined, management practices include reestablishing extirpated populations with individuals from the closest intact populations (Hoogland et al 2011;May et al 2011;Rosell et al 2012). Only in cases of extensive population loss within an ESU would recolonization of habitat with individuals from outside the ESU be considered (Halley 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic variation and population structure in a threatened species, the Utah prairie dog Cynomys parvidens: the use of genetic data to inform conservation actions

Brown

Peacock

Ritchie

2016

Ecology and Evolution

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The Utah prairie dog (Cynomys parvidens), listed as threatened under the United States Endangered Species Act, was the subject of an extensive eradication program throughout its range during the 20th century. Eradication campaigns, habitat destruction/fragmentation/conversion, and epizootic outbreaks (e.g., sylvatic plague) have reduced prairie dog numbers from an estimated 95,000 individuals in the 1920s to approximately 14,000 (estimated adult spring count) today. As a result of these anthropogenic actions, the species is now found in small isolated sets of subpopulations. We characterized the levels of genetic diversity and population genetic structure using 10 neutral nuclear microsatellite loci for twelve populations (native and transplanted) representative of the three management designated “recovery units,” found in three distinct biogeographic regions, sampled across the species' range. The results indicate (1) low levels of genetic diversity within colonies (H e = 0.109–0.357; H o = 0.106‐ 0.313), (2) high levels of genetic differentiation among colonies (global F ST = 0.296), (3) very small genetic effective population sizes, and (4) evidence of genetic bottlenecks. The genetic data reveal additional subdivision such that colonies within recovery units do not form single genotype clusters consistent with recovery unit boundaries. Genotype cluster membership support historical gene flow among colonies in the easternmost West Desert Recovery Unit with the westernmost Pausaugunt colonies and among the eastern Pausaugunt colonies and the Awapa Recovery unit to the north. In order to maintain the long‐term viability of the species, there needs to be an increased focus on maintaining suitable habitat between groups of existing populations that can act as connective corridors. The location of future translocation sites should be located in areas that will maximize connectivity, leading to maintenance of genetic variation and evolutionary potential.

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Combining genetic structure and ecological niche modeling to establish units of conservation: A case study of an imperiled salamander

Cited by 28 publications

References 54 publications

Using biogeographical history to inform conservation: the case of Preble's meadow jumping mouse

Using biogeographical history to inform conservation: the case of Preble's meadow jumping mouse

Integrating phylogeography and species distribution models: cryptic distributional responses to past climate change in an endemic rodent from the central Chile hotspot

Genetic variation and population structure in a threatened species, the Utah prairie dog Cynomys parvidens: the use of genetic data to inform conservation actions

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