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Fine-scale analysis reveals cryptic landscape genetic structure in desert tortoises
Emily K Latch1, William I Boarman, Andrew Walde
1Behavioral and Molecular Ecology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States of America. latch@uwm.edu
Plos One
|December 2, 2011
Summary
Landscape features significantly impact desert tortoise gene flow at a local scale. Roads and slopes influence genetic variation, highlighting the immediate effects of landscape changes on populations.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Genetics
- Conservation Biology
Background:
- Understanding landscape effects on genetic variation is key to population structure.
- Local-scale genetic patterns may differ from regional ones.
- Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) populations face conservation challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate fine-scale genetic variation in desert tortoises.
- Identify landscape features influencing local gene flow.
- Inform conservation strategies for desert tortoises.
Main Methods:
- Genotyped 859 desert tortoises at 16 microsatellite loci.
- Collected data on location, sex, elevation, slope, soil type, and barriers (roads, power lines).
- Employed Bayesian clustering and landscape genetic analyses.
Main Results:
- Identified weak local genetic structure with two subpopulations.
- Found that natural (slope) and anthropogenic (roads) features significantly influence gene flow.
- Demonstrated that local landscape features impact tortoise movement and gene flow.
Conclusions:
- Local landscape features, including roads, shape desert tortoise gene flow.
- Recent landscape changes have immediate, detectable effects on local genetic connectivity.
- Findings are crucial for desert tortoise conservation and management, especially translocations.
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