Worldwide impacts of humans on animal genetic diversity

Millette, Katie L.; Fugère, Vincent; Debyser, Chloé; Greiner, Ariel; Chain, Frédéric J. J.; Gonzalez, Andrew

doi:10.1101/527739

Cited by 1 publication

(6 citation statements)

References 70 publications

(77 reference statements)

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“…We proposed three hypotheses relating range size to population richness and genetic diversity, taking inspiration from a synthesis of species richness theories. However, we found minimal support for our hypotheses, highlighting the idiosyncrasies in intraspecific diversity patterns previously found between taxonomic groups (DeWoody & Avise, ; Martinez et al, ; Medina et al, ; Millette et al, ; Willoughby et al, ). While we have not explicitly considered taxa‐specific traits (e.g.…”

Section: New Analysis Summarycontrasting

confidence: 76%

“…Our results contribute to the idea that disentangling intraspecific diversity patterns can be much more complicated than species richness as many factors require simultaneous consideration (see Blanchet et al, ; Marchesini et al, ; Martinez et al, ; Medina et al, ; Millette et al, ; Paz‐Vinas et al, ; Willoughby et al, ). The limited scope in the scale of genetic diversity, and perhaps the minimum and maximum degree of genetic diversity required for viable populations (e.g.…”

Section: New Analysis Summarysupporting

confidence: 55%

“…Despite this, Schluter and Pennell () demonstrated that mammalian and amphibian mitochondrial genetic diversity, equivalent to GenPerSpp here, has a slightly negative slope with latitude. Another study found some evidence for scale‐ and taxa‐dependent latitudinal gradients in genetic diversity (Millette et al, ). These results are mostly consistent with the expectations from a historical perspective, wherein species at low latitudes have experienced more time for genetic diversity to accumulate, but some nuances appear to blur gradient patterns.…”

Section: Review: Understanding the Latitudinal Gradient Of Biodiversimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Complicating expectations even further, anthropogenic impacts are highest at intermediate latitudes where most land conversion for agriculture and human population density exist (Cincotta, Wisnewski, & Engelman, ; Ellis & Ramankutty, ; Gibbs et al, ; Matthews, ). While the broad‐scale impacts of humans on species genetic diversity are unclear (Millette et al, ), they could blur latitudinal patterns if human activities causing habitat loss reduce genetic diversity in regions where high levels of genetic diversity might be otherwise expected (see Ascensão et al, ; Cardillo et al, ; Cincotta et al, ). Collectively, a number of factors operating differently along the latitudinal gradient appear to have varying consequences for genetic diversity both among and within species.…”

Section: Review Summary: Latitudinal Predictionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although there has been some recent support for latitudinal gradients in intraspecific diversity (Adams & Hadly, ; Gratton et al, ; Martin & McKay, ; Millette et al, ; Miraldo et al, ; Schluter & Pennell, ), no study has generated latitudinal expectations for both population richness and genetic diversity by drawing from species‐level literature—indeed there is an admitted lack of theoretical foundation (Millette et al, ). We demonstrate that the distinct latitudinal patterns found in species richness are much more complicated at the intraspecific level.…”

Section: Overall Conclusionmentioning

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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