Historical data refute recent range contraction as cause of low genetic diversity in isolated frog populations.
This study tested whether low genetic diversity in remnant populations of a declining amphibian is best explained by recent bottlenecks or by a history of being peripheral. We compared diversity from eight microsatellite loci in historical and extant populations from the interior and former periphery of the species' range. We found that historic peripheral populations already had reduced levels of genetic variation before the range contraction. Therefore, low diversity in remnants could not be ascribed to recent range contractions. This study shows that a common conservation strategy for rescuing genetically depauperate populations, artificial gene flow, may often be unwarranted and detrimental to evolutionarily important peripheral populations.
Hoffman
Eric A
EA
Oregon State University, Department of Zoology, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. eric.hoffman@biology.gatech.edu
Blouin
Michael S
MS
D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D005787:Gene Frequency; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006702:Homing Behavior; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats / Q000235:genetics; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009656:North America; D010802:Phylogeny; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011894:Rana pipiens / Q000235:genetics*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial