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Arctic-alpine distributions--metapopulations on a continental scale?
Christoph Muster1, Wayne P Maddison, Stefan Uhlmann
1Institute of Biology II, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. muster@rz.uni-leipzig.de
The American Naturalist
|February 10, 2009
Summary
Gene flow in arctic-alpine wolf spiders shows unidirectional movement from Scandinavia to southern Europe. Connectivity was likely greater during glacial periods, influencing species distribution.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cold-adapted species exhibit discontinuous arctic-alpine ranges across the Northern Hemisphere.
- Understanding historical and current gene flow is crucial for explaining these disjunct distributions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate migration patterns and population connectivity in the Pardosa saltuaria wolf spider group across Europe.
- To assess the influence of past climatic events on current species distribution.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the coalescent-based program IMa (Isolation with Migration-analytic).
- Analyzed both mitochondrial (ND1) and nuclear (ITS1, 5.8S rDNA, ITS2) genetic markers simultaneously.
- Conducted simulation studies using a new module in the Mesquite package to model episodic migration.
Main Results:
- Observed unidirectional gene flow from Scandinavia to the Alps and Carpathians.
- Detected complex gene flow patterns in central European relict areas and limited flow in peripheral regions (Balkans, Pyrenees).
- Simulation results indicated that current patterns are consistent with either ongoing moderate migration or strong migration bursts during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Conclusions:
- Population connectivity was likely enhanced during glacial periods, potentially explaining arctic-alpine disjunctions.
- Ecological factors and life history traits significantly influence species' responses to past climate change.
- The study highlights the dynamic nature of gene flow and its role in shaping species ranges over evolutionary time.
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