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Pröhl H, Rodríguez A. Importance of Genetic-Fitness Correlations for the Conservation of Amphibians. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3564. [PMID: 38003181 PMCID: PMC10668650 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Endangered animals suffer from isolation of their habitats. Isolation leads to a reduction in population size as well as a decrease in genetic diversity and a concomitant increase in the risk of extinction. Amphibians are the most endangered vertebrate class. Besides habitat loss, fragmentation and isolation, amphibians are threatened by emerging diseases e.g., chytrid fungus or Ranavirus. By employing experiments, researchers investigate whether changes in genetic diversity within or among isolated populations affect amphibian fitness. While genetic diversity estimates are based on molecular markers, typically microsatellites, fitness is mostly measured as tadpole performance in rearing experiments often under varying environmental conditions. Tadpole performances (e.g., body mass, growth rate and survival) have been found to be negatively affected by low genetic diversity, as several studies have found a positive association between genetic diversity and these fitness traits. Moreover, infection with pathogens also seems to be more likely in individuals or populations with lower genetic diversity. Overall, these genetic-fitness correlations seem to be more pronounced or detectable in smaller, declining populations but not in larger populations. Genomic studies, which sample a larger fraction of the genome, are still scarce in the conservation genetic literature on amphibians. These are likely to increase in upcoming years and may reveal adaptive variants that protect against dangerous pathogens or environmental changes. Altogether, genetic-fitness correlation studies should be a priority in order to develop effective management plans for the genetic rescue of isolated, imperilled amphibian populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike Pröhl
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine of Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany;
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2
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Nugent CM, Kess T, Brachmann MK, Langille BL, Duffy SJ, Lehnert SJ, Wringe BF, Bentzen P, Bradbury IR. Whole-genome sequencing reveals fine-scale environment-associated divergence near the range limits of a temperate reef fish. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:4742-4762. [PMID: 37430462 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Environmental variation is increasingly recognized as an important driver of diversity in marine species despite the lack of physical barriers to dispersal and the presence of pelagic stages in many taxa. A robust understanding of the genomic and ecological processes involved in structuring populations is lacking for most marine species, often hindering management and conservation action. Cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus) is a temperate reef fish with both pelagic early life-history stages and strong site-associated homing as adults; the species is also of interest for use as a cleaner fish in salmonid aquaculture in Atlantic Canada. We aimed to characterize genomic and geographic differentiation of cunner in the Northwest Atlantic. To achieve this, a chromosome-level genome assembly for cunner was produced and used to characterize spatial population structure throughout Atlantic Canada using whole-genome sequencing. The genome assembly spanned 0.72 Gbp and 24 chromosomes; whole-genome sequencing of 803 individuals from 20 locations from Newfoundland to New Jersey identified approximately 11 million genetic variants. Principal component analysis revealed four regional Atlantic Canadian groups. Pairwise FST and selection scans revealed signals of differentiation and selection at discrete genomic regions, including adjacent peaks on chromosome 10 across multiple pairwise comparisons (i.e. FST 0.5-0.75). Redundancy analysis suggested association of environmental variables related to benthic temperature and oxygen range with genomic structure. Results suggest regional scale diversity in this temperate reef fish and can directly inform the collection and translocation of cunner for aquaculture applications and the conservation of wild populations throughout the Northwest Atlantic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron M Nugent
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Tony Kess
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Matthew K Brachmann
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Barbara L Langille
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Steven J Duffy
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Sarah J Lehnert
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Brendan F Wringe
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Paul Bentzen
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Ian R Bradbury
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
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Karami P, Tavakoli S, Esmaeili M. Monitoring spatiotemporal impacts of changes in land surface temperature on near eastern fire salamander ( Salamandra infraimmaculata) in the Middle East. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17241. [PMID: 37360077 PMCID: PMC10285218 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistence and coexistence of many pond-breeding amphibians depend on seasonality. Temperature, as a seasonal climate component, affects numerous physical and biological processes of pond-breeding amphibians. Satellite-derived land surface temperature (LST) is the radiative skin temperature of the land surface, which has received less attention in spatiotemporal seasonal habitat monitoring. The present study aims to evaluate the increasing and decreasing effects of LST trends at two levels: (1) habitat suitability and connectivity; (2) individual population sites and their longitudinal distribution (with increasing longitude). Habitat suitability modeling was conducted based on an ensemble species distribution model (eSDM). Using electrical circuit theory, the connectivity of interior and intact habitat cores was investigated. An average seasonal LST was prepared separately for each season from 2003 to 2021 and entered into Mann-Kendall (MK) analysis to determine the spatiotemporal effects of LST changes using the Z-Score (ZMK) at two confidence levels of 95 and 99%. Based on the results, in winter, 28.12% and 70.70% of the suitable habitat were affected by an increasing trend of LST at 95% and 99% confidence levels, respectively. The highest spatial overlap of the decreasing trend of LST with the suitable habitat occurred in summer and was 6.4% at the 95% confidence level and 4.2% at the 99% confidence level. Considering population site at 95% confidence interval, the increasing trend of LST was calculated to be 20.2%, 9.5%, 4.2%, and 6.3% of localities in winter, spring, summer, and autumn, respectively. At the 99% confidence level, these percentages reduced to 8.5%, 3.1%, 1%, and 1%, respectively. During winter and summer, based on the results of the longitudinal trend, an increasing trend of LST was observed in sites. Localities of Hatay and Iica village in Turkey experienced seasonally asynchronous climate change regimes. The approach used in this study allowed us to create a link between the life cycle and seasonal changes on a micro-scale (breeding sites) and macro-scale (distribution and connectivity). Findings of this paper can be effectively used by conservation managers to preserve S. infraimmaculata's metapopulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyman Karami
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
| | - Sajad Tavakoli
- Department of Environmental and Forest Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Esmaeili
- Department of Biology, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
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Shemesh H, Dener E, Sadeh A. Bedrock may dictate the distribution of the fire salamander in the southern border of its global range. Isr J Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.1163/22244662-bja10041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Understanding the factors that determine the spatial distribution of species is crucial for conservation planning. In this short communication, we review previous distribution models of the fire salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata) in northern Israel, produced by the group of the late Prof. Leon Blaustein, while suggesting a biologically-informed reinterpretation of their main predictions. We argue for the prime importance of bedrock, specifically hard limestone, because it is tightly associated with the availability of karstic formations that are key to adult survival throughout the summer. Furthermore, we suggest that the spatial distribution of limestone bedrock also determines large-scale inter-population connectivity, and may explain the observed genetic differentiation among populations, as well as the southernmost limit of the species’ global distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagai Shemesh
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Tel-Hai College, Tel-Hai, 1220800, Israel
| | - Efrat Dener
- Albert Katz International School for Desert Studies, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute for Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Asaf Sadeh
- Agroecology lab, Department of Natural Resources, Newe Ya’ar Research Center, Agricultural Research Organization (Volcani Institute), Ramat Yishay, 3009500, Israel
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5
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Potential changes in the distributions of Near Eastern fire salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata) in response to historical, recent and future climate change in the Near and Middle East: Implication for conservation and management. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
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Sinai I, Oron T, Weil G, Sachal R, Koplovich A, Blaustein L, Templeton AR, Blank L. Estimating the effects of road-kills on the Fire Salamander population along a river. J Nat Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Phenotypic plasticity and local adaptations to dissolved oxygen in larvae fire salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata). Oecologia 2019; 190:737-746. [PMID: 31250185 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-019-04446-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
A key environmental factor that varies both spatially and temporally in surface waters is dissolved oxygen (DO). In stagnant ephemeral freshwater ponds, DO can fluctuate diurnally and seasonally, while the constant mixing of water in streams typically maintain DO levels close to saturation with only minor fluctuations. Larvae of the Near Eastern fire salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata) develop in a range of waterbodies that vary in flow and permanence. To study inter-population variation in larval response to environmental change, we translocated larvae between stream and pond habitats and exposed larvae sampled from different habitat types to hypoxic and normoxic conditions in the laboratory. Larvae transferred from stream to pond retain gill size, while larvae transferred from pond to stream show a reduction in gill size. Larvae that were caged within their native habitat, either stream or pond, display a decrease in gill size similar to larvae transferred from pond to stream. When exposed to experimentally manipulated levels of DO in the laboratory larvae, respectively, increase and decrease gill size under hypoxic and normoxic conditions. Habitat-type origin had a significant effect on the degree of change in gill size with larvae from permanent streams demonstrating the lowest absolute variation in gill size. There was no interaction between DO level (hypoxic/normoxic) and the larvae habitat-type origin. These results suggest that S. infraimmaculata larvae are locally adapted to their aquatic breeding habitat through the plastic ability to respond to the prevailing respiratory conditions by rapidly decreasing or increasing gill size.
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Sinai I, Segev O, Weil G, Oron T, Merilä J, Templeton AR, Blaustein L, Greenbaum G, Blank L. The role of landscape and history on the genetic structure of peripheral populations of the Near Eastern fire salamander, Salamandra infraimmaculata, in Northern Israel. CONSERV GENET 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-019-01181-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Habitat suitability prediction for Salamandra infraimmaculata (Caudata: Amphibia) in western Iran based on species distribution modeling. JOURNAL OF ASIA-PACIFIC BIODIVERSITY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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10
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Bonato L, Corbetta A, Giovine G, Romanazzi E, Šunje E, Vernesi C, Crestanello B. Diversity among peripheral populations: genetic and evolutionary differentiation ofSalamandra atraat the southern edge of the Alps. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucio Bonato
- Dipartimento di Biologia; Università di Padova; Padova Italy
| | - Andrea Corbetta
- Stazione sperimentale Regionale per lo Studio e la Conservazione degli Anfibi Lago di Endine; Casazza Italy
| | - Giovanni Giovine
- Stazione sperimentale Regionale per lo Studio e la Conservazione degli Anfibi Lago di Endine; Casazza Italy
| | | | - Emina Šunje
- Department of Biology; University of Sarajevo; Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Herpetological Association in Bosnia and Hercegovina BHHU:ATRA; Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Cristiano Vernesi
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology; Research and Innovation Centre; Fondazione Edmund Mach; San Michele All'Adige Italy
| | - Barbara Crestanello
- Department of Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology; Research and Innovation Centre; Fondazione Edmund Mach; San Michele All'Adige Italy
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Parallel habitat acclimatization is realized by the expression of different genes in two closely related salamander species (genus Salamandra). Heredity (Edinb) 2017; 119:429-437. [PMID: 28953268 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2017.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The utilization of similar habitats by different species provides an ideal opportunity to identify genes underlying adaptation and acclimatization. Here, we analysed the gene expression of two closely related salamander species: Salamandra salamandra in Central Europe and Salamandra infraimmaculata in the Near East. These species inhabit similar habitat types: 'temporary ponds' and 'permanent streams' during larval development. We developed two species-specific gene expression microarrays, each targeting over 12 000 transcripts, including an overlapping subset of 8331 orthologues. Gene expression was examined for systematic differences between temporary ponds and permanent streams in larvae from both salamander species to establish gene sets and functions associated with these two habitat types. Only 20 orthologues were associated with a habitat in both species, but these orthologues did not show parallel expression patterns across species more than expected by chance. Functional annotation of a set of 106 genes with the highest effect size for a habitat suggested four putative gene function categories associated with a habitat in both species: cell proliferation, neural development, oxygen responses and muscle capacity. Among these high effect size genes was a single orthologue (14-3-3 protein zeta/YWHAZ) that was downregulated in temporary ponds in both species. The emergence of four gene function categories combined with a lack of parallel expression of orthologues (except 14-3-3 protein zeta) suggests that parallel habitat adaptation or acclimatization by larvae from S. salamandra and S. infraimmaculata to temporary ponds and permanent streams is mainly realized by different genes with a converging functionality.
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Pezaro N, Rovelli V, Segev O, Templeton AR, Blaustein L. Suspected rat predation on the Near Eastern Fire Salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata) by selective consumption of non-toxic tissue. ZOOLOGY IN THE MIDDLE EAST 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/09397140.2017.1375199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nadav Pezaro
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Valentina Rovelli
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ori Segev
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Alan R. Templeton
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
- Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Leon Blaustein
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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Blaustein L, Segev O, Rovelli V, Bar-David S, Blank L, Polevikov A, Pezaro N, Krugman T, Showstack S, Koplovich A, Ozeri L, Templeton AR. Compassionate approaches for the conservation and protection of fire salamanders. Isr J Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.1163/22244662-06303001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Leon Blaustein
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
| | - Ori Segev
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
| | - Valentina Rovelli
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
| | - Shirli Bar-David
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, Sede Boker 84990 Israel
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
| | - Lior Blank
- Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, ARO, Volcani Center, Bet-Dagan 50250, Israel
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
| | - Antonina Polevikov
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
| | - Nadav Pezaro
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
| | - Tamar Krugman
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
| | - Simona Showstack
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
| | - Avi Koplovich
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
| | - Lital Ozeri
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
| | - Alan R. Templeton
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
- Department of Biology and Division of Statistical Genomics, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130-4899 USA
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No signs of inbreeding despite long-term isolation and habitat fragmentation in the critically endangered Montseny brook newt (Calotriton arnoldi). Heredity (Edinb) 2017; 118:424-435. [PMID: 28074844 DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2016.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Endemic species with restricted geographic ranges potentially suffer the highest risk of extinction. If these species are further fragmented into genetically isolated subpopulations, the risk of extinction is elevated. Habitat fragmentation is generally considered to have negative effects on species survival, despite some evidence for neutral or even positive effects. Typically, non-negative effects are ignored by conservation biology. The Montseny brook newt (Calotriton arnoldi) has one of the smallest distribution ranges of any European amphibian (8 km2) and is considered critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Here we apply molecular markers to analyze its population structure and find that habitat fragmentation owing to a natural barrier has resulted in strong genetic division of populations into two sectors, with no detectable migration between sites. Although effective population size estimates suggest low values for all populations, we found low levels of inbreeding and relatedness between individuals within populations. Moreover, C. arnoldi displays similar levels of genetic diversity to its sister species Calotriton asper, from which it separated around 1.5 million years ago and which has a much larger distribution range. Our extensive study shows that natural habitat fragmentation does not result in negative genetic effects, such as the loss of genetic diversity and inbreeding on an evolutionary timescale. We hypothesize that species in such conditions may evolve strategies (for example, special mating preferences) to mitigate the effects of small population sizes. However, it should be stressed that the influence of natural habitat fragmentation on an evolutionary timescale should not be conflated with anthropogenic habitat loss or degradation when considering conservation strategies.
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Vörös J, Ursenbacher S, Kiss I, Jelić D, Schweiger S, Szabó K. Increased genetic structuring of isolatedSalamandra salamandrapopulations (Caudata: Salamandridae) at the margins of the Carpathian Mountains. J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Judit Vörös
- Department of Zoology; Hungarian Natural History Museum; Budapest Hungary
- Laboratory for Molecular Taxonomy; Hungarian Natural History Museum; Budapest Hungary
| | - Sylvain Ursenbacher
- Department of Environmental Science Section of Conservation Biology; University of Basel; Basel Switzerland
| | - István Kiss
- Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology; Szent István University; Gödöllő Hungary
| | - Dušan Jelić
- Croatian Institute for Biodiversity; Zagreb Croatia
| | | | - Krisztián Szabó
- Department of Ecology; University of Veterinary Medicine; Budapest Hungary
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16
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Konowalik A, Najbar A, Babik W, Steinfartz S, Ogielska M. Genetic structure of the fire salamander Salamandra salamandra in the Polish Sudetes. AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2016. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-00003071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We analysed genetic variation within and differentiation between nineteen populations of the fire salamander Salamandra salamandra inhabiting the north-eastern margin of the species range in the Sudetes Mountains (south-western Poland). The results were compared with those obtained recently for the Polish part of the Carpathians. Variation of 10 nuclear microsatellite loci was analysed in 744 individuals to estimate genetic structure, gene flow, isolation and to test for a geographic gradient of genetic variation. Mitochondrial DNA control region (D-loop) of 252 specimens from all localities was used to identify the origin of populations currently inhabiting its north-eastern range. We found little genetic differentiation among populations in the Sudetes indicating substantial recent or ongoing gene flow. The exceptions were one isolated peripheral population located outside the continuous distribution range which displayed extremely reduced genetic variation probably due to a combination of long term isolation and low population size, and one population located at the eastern margin of the Polish Sudetes. Populations inhabiting the Sudetes and the Carpathians formed two separate clusters based on microsatellite loci. In accordance with available phylogeographic information, single mitochondrial haplotype (type IIb) fixed in all populations indicates their origin from a single refugium and may suggest colonization from the Balkan Peninsula. The analysis of geographic gradient in variation showed its decline in the westerly direction suggesting colonization of Poland from the east, however, alternative scenarios of postglacial colonization could not be rejected with the available data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Konowalik
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Conservation of Vertebrates, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Anna Najbar
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Conservation of Vertebrates, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Wiesław Babik
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Sebastian Steinfartz
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelsohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Maria Ogielska
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Conservation of Vertebrates, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-335 Wrocław, Poland
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Intercohort size structure dynamics of fire salamander larvae in ephemeral habitats: a mesocosm experiment. Oecologia 2015; 179:425-33. [PMID: 26080758 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-015-3366-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The size structure of a larval population facilitates interaction asymmetries that, in turn, influence the dynamics of size-structure. In species that exhibit conspicuous aggressive interactions, the competitive effects of the smaller individuals may be overlooked. We manipulated initial size differences between two larval cohorts and young-cohort density of Salamandra infraimmaculata in mesocosms to determine: (1) whether young individuals function primarily as prey or as competitors of older and larger individuals; (2) the resulting dynamics of size variation; and (3) recruitment to the postmetamorph population. Intercohort size differences generally remained constant over time at low young-cohort densities, but reduced over time at high densities due to retardation of the old-cohort growth rate. This suggests a competitive advantage to the young cohort that outweighs the interference advantage of older cohorts previously documented in this species. The increase in mortality from desiccation due to high young-cohort density was an order of magnitude greater in the old cohort than in the young-cohort, further indicating size-dependent vulnerability to competition. However, the conditions least favorable to most of the old-cohort larvae (large size difference and high young-cohort density) promoted cannibalism. Among cannibals, mortality and time to metamorphosis decreased and sizes at metamorphosis increased substantially. Thus, a balance between the competitive advantage to young cohorts, and the interference and cannibalism advantage to old cohorts shapes larval size-structure dynamics. Larval densities and individual expression of cannibalism can shift this balance in opposite directions and alter relative recruitment rates from different cohorts.
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Segev O, Polevikove A, Blank L, Goedbloed D, Küpfer E, Gershberg A, Koplovich A, Blaustein L. Effects of Tail Clipping on Larval Performance and Tail Regeneration Rates in the Near Eastern Fire Salamander, Salamandra infraimmaculata. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0128077. [PMID: 26065683 PMCID: PMC4466261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tail-tip clipping is a common technique for collecting tissue samples from amphibian larvae and adults. Surprisingly, studies of this invasive sampling procedure or of natural tail clipping--i.e., bites inflicted by predators including conspecifics--on the performance and fitness of aquatic larval stages of urodeles are scarce. We conducted two studies in which we assessed the effects of posterior tail clipping (~30 percent of tail) on Near Eastern fire salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata) larvae. In a laboratory study, we checked regeneration rates of posterior tail-tip clipping at different ages. Regeneration rates were hump-shaped, peaking at the age of ~30 days and then decreasing. This variation in tail regeneration rates suggests tradeoffs in resource allocation between regeneration and somatic growth during early and advanced development. In an outdoor artificial pond experiment, under constant larval densities, we assessed how tail clipping of newborn larvae affects survival to, time to, and size at metamorphosis. Repeated measures ANOVA on mean larval survival per pond revealed no effect of tail clipping. Tail clipping had correspondingly no effect on larval growth and development expressed in size (mass and snout-vent length) at, and time to, metamorphosis. We conclude that despite the given variation in tail regeneration rates throughout larval ontogeny, clipping of 30% percent of the posterior tail area seems to have no adverse effects on larval fitness and survival. We suggest that future use of this imperative tool for the study of amphibian should take into account larval developmental stage during the time of application and not just the relative size of the clipped tail sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ori Segev
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Antonina Polevikove
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Lior Blank
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
- Department of Plant Pathology and Weed Research, ARO, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
| | - Daniel Goedbloed
- Technical University of Braunschweig, Zoological Institute, Braunschweig, 38106, Germany
| | - Eliane Küpfer
- Technical University of Braunschweig, Zoological Institute, Braunschweig, 38106, Germany
| | - Anna Gershberg
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Avi Koplovich
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Leon Blaustein
- Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
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Najbar A, Babik W, Najbar B, Ogielska M. Genetic structure and differentiation of the fire salamander Salamandra salamandra at the northern margin of its range in the Carpathians. AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2015. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-00003005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Amphibian populations occurring at the margin of the species range exhibit lower genetic variation due to strong genetic drift and long-term isolation. Limited mobility and site fidelity together with habitat changes may accelerate genetic processes leading to local extinction. Here, we analyze genetic variation of the fire salamander subspecies Salamandra s. salamandra inhabiting the Outer Carpathian region in Poland, at the northern border of its distribution. Nuclear DNA polymorphism based on 10 microsatellite loci of 380 individuals sampled in 11 populations were analysed to measure gene flow between subpopulations and possible long-term isolation. Mitochondrial DNA control region analysis among 17 individuals representing 13 localities was used to detect the origin of populations which colonized Northern Europe after the last glaciation. Overall, pairwise FST’s and AMOVA test of ‘among group’ variation showed little differences in the allele frequencies and relatively high local gene flow. However, Bayesian clustering results revealed subtle structuring between eastern and western part of the studied region. Two extreme marginal populations from the Carpathian Piedmont revealed reduced genetic variation which may be attributed to strong influence of genetic drift. Only one mitochondrial DNA haplotype (type IIb) was found in all individuals and suggest that after the Last Glacial Maximum Salamandra salamandra migrated to the North-Western Europe from the single glacial refugium placed in the Balkan Peninsula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Najbar
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Conservation of Vertebrates, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-355 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Wiesław Babik
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Najbar
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Z. Szafrana 15, 65-516 Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Maria Ogielska
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Conservation of Vertebrates, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, 50-355 Wrocław, Poland
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Landscape influences on dispersal behaviour: a theoretical model and empirical test using the fire salamander, Salamandra infraimmaculata. Oecologia 2014; 175:509-20. [PMID: 24648023 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-2924-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
When populations reside within a heterogeneous landscape, isolation by distance may not be a good predictor of genetic divergence if dispersal behaviour and therefore gene flow depend on landscape features. Commonly used approaches linking landscape features to gene flow include the least cost path (LCP), random walk (RW), and isolation by resistance (IBR) models. However, none of these models is likely to be the most appropriate for all species and in all environments. We compared the performance of LCP, RW and IBR models of dispersal with the aid of simulations conducted on artificially generated landscapes. We also applied each model to empirical data on the landscape genetics of the endangered fire salamander, Salamandra infraimmaculata, in northern Israel, where conservation planning requires an understanding of the dispersal corridors. Our simulations demonstrate that wide dispersal corridors of the low-cost environment facilitate dispersal in the IBR model, but inhibit dispersal in the RW model. In our empirical study, IBR explained the genetic divergence better than the LCP and RW models (partial Mantel correlation 0.413 for IBR, compared to 0.212 for LCP, and 0.340 for RW). Overall dispersal cost in salamanders was also well predicted by landscape feature slope steepness (76%), and elevation (24%). We conclude that fire salamander dispersal is well characterised by IBR predictions. Together with our simulation findings, these results indicate that wide dispersal corridors facilitate, rather than hinder, salamander dispersal. Comparison of genetic data to dispersal model outputs can be a useful technique in inferring dispersal behaviour from population genetic data.
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