Linking genetic structure, landscape genetics, and species distribution modeling for regional conservation of a threatened freshwater turtle

McCluskey, Eric M.; Lulla, Vijay; Peterman, William E.; Stryszowska-Hill, Kinga M.; Denton, Robert D.; Fries, Anthony C; Langen, Tom A.; Johnson, Glenn; Mockford, Stephen W.; Gonser, Rusty A.

doi:10.1007/s10980-022-01420-0

Cited by 15 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 77 publications

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“…Blanding's turtle ( Emydoidea blandingii ), and bog turtles ( Glyptemys muhlenbergii ) turtles are both threatened or at risk throughout their range with populations of G. muhlenbergii having low genetic diversity, ostensibly due to habitat loss and small population sizes (Rosenbaum et al, 2007 ). In E. blandingii , however, genetic diversity is high because they seem to have sufficient habitats to allow gene flow (McCluskey et al, 2016 , 2022 ; Reid et al, 2016 ) and are long‐lived (McCluskey et al, 2016 ), which alleviates or delays the signature of genetic isolation (McCluskey et al, 2016 ) despite some potential ecological constraints to long‐distance movements (McCluskey et al, 2022 ). The first genetic study on C. guttata in the northern extent of its range in Canada found population differentiation (Davy et al, 2014 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

(Not) far from home: No sex bias in dispersal, but limited genetic patch size, in an endangered species, the Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)

Liebgold

Dickey

Lamb

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Sex‐biased dispersal is common in many animals, with male‐biased dispersal often found in studies of mammals and reptiles, including interpretations of spatial genetic structure, ostensibly as a result of male–male competition and a lack of male parental care. Few studies of sex‐biased dispersal have been conducted in turtles, but a handful of studies, in saltwater turtles and in terrestrial turtles, have detected male‐biased dispersal as expected. We tested for sex‐biased dispersal in the endangered freshwater turtle, the spotted turtle ( Clemmys guttata ) by investigating fine‐scale genetic spatial structure of males and females. We found significant spatial genetic structure in both sexes, but the patterns mimicked each other. Both males and females typically had higher than expected relatedness at distances <25 km, and in many distance classes greater than 25 km, less than expected relatedness. Similar patterns were apparent whether we used only loci in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium ( n = 7) or also included loci with potential null alleles ( n = 5). We conclude that, contrary to expectations, sex‐biased dispersal is not occurring in this species, possibly related to the reverse sexual dimorphism in this species, with females having brighter colors. We did, however, detect significant spatial genetic structure in males and females, separate and combined, showing philopatry within a genetic patch size of <25 km in C. guttata , which is concerning for an endangered species whose populations are often separated by distances greater than the genetic patch size.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

(Not) far from home: No sex bias in dispersal, but limited genetic patch size, in an endangered species, the Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)

Liebgold

Dickey

Lamb

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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“…The successful colonisation of human‐modified habitats and the persistence of crested newt populations depend on a number of demographic and environmental factors (Cox et al., 2021; Griffiths & Williams, 2000; Halley et al., 1996). It is, therefore, advantageous to consider different aspects of the target's species’ biology and ecology to design conservation action plans (McCluskey et al., 2022; O'Brien et al., 2021; Proft et al., 2018). Here, spatial prioritisation recommendations were based on the results of complementary analyses on species distribution, population connectivity and genetic diversity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is, therefore, advantageous to consider different aspects of the target's species' biology and ecology to design conservation action plans (McCluskey et al, 2022;O'Brien et al, 2021;Proft et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Knowledge gained from landscape genetics has been useful in the design of wildlife corridors (Epps et al., 2007) and in assessing the effects of landscape fragmentation (Van Strien et al., 2014; Williams et al., 2003). The greatest power in conservation can be achieved by combining the results of complementary studies to design species management plans (McCluskey et al., 2022; O'Brien et al., 2021; Proft et al., 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Spatial prioritisation for crested newt conservation in Luxembourg: Insights from population genetics and species distribution modelling

Schleimer,

Cantú‐Salazar,

Luttringer

et al. 2024

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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The intensification of agriculture and urbanisation has precipitated the decline of numerous species, including the northern crested newt (Triturus cristatus). To mitigate the impacts of habitat degradation and loss, restoration initiatives depend on evidence‐based decision‐making to identify priority sites for conservation efforts. Here, we employed a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on population genetics, species distribution modelling (SDMs) and landscape genetics to develop a spatial prioritisation framework for the creation and/or restoration of crested newt breeding ponds in Luxembourg. For the genetic analyses, more than 1000 crested newts from 98 ponds across Luxembourg were genotyped at 15 microsatellite loci to assess genetic diversity and spatial clustering. The relationship between newt presence and environmental variables was evaluated using SDMs. Priority restoration areas were identified with PRIORITZR, integrating genetic diversity, habitat suitability and connectivity. The population genetic structure was characterised by spatial clustering, which followed an isolation‐by‐distance pattern. Five sites were identified as significantly differentiated from the remaining populations, warranting targeted conservation efforts. Standing water bodies and proximity to the nearest occupied pond were the most important predictors of crested newt presence. The highest gain in habitat suitability through the creation of new ponds was predicted to occur in southwest Luxembourg. Based on the country‐wide predicted occurrence of crested newts and gains in habitat suitability, areas of highest restoration potential were identified in close proximity to existing crested newt populations. The produced maps of priority restoration areas should inform future conservation efforts of the crested newt in Luxembourg. While the importance of preserving genetic diversity is widely recognised, the theory‐practice gap frequently precludes the incorporation of genetic aspects into in situ conservation measures or management policies. This case study demonstrates the integration of multidisciplinary analyses within an evidence‐based framework to guide species conservation efforts.

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“…higher number of variables and/or transformations). The incorporation of historical landscape changes into studies dealing with current patterns of genetic differentiation can be done in multiple ways, for example, including genetic metrics with different properties (Coster et al, 2015), using key historical environmental data (Maigret et al, 2020) or simply by considering time lags during discussion (McCluskey et al, 2022). This is particularly important for studies investigating the impact of habitat fragmentation caused by recent anthropogenic elements in the landscape, as in these cases the genetic consequences of decreased population connectivity may not have yet emerged.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Past forest cover explains current genetic differentiation in the Carpathian newt (Lissotriton montandoni), but not in the smooth newt (L. vulgaris)

Antunes

Dudek

Pabijan

et al. 2023

Diversity and Distributions

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AimCurrent genetic variation and differentiation are expected to reflect the effects of past rather than present landscapes due to time lags, that is, the time necessary for genetic diversity to reach equilibrium and reflect demography. Time lags can affect our ability to infer landscape use and model connectivity and also obscure the genetic consequences of recent landscape changes. In this work, we test whether past forest cover better explains contemporary patterns of genetic differentiation in two closely related but ecologically distinct newt species—Lissotriton montandoni and L. vulgaris.LocationCarpathian Mountains and foothills.MethodsGenetic differentiation between populations was related to landscape resistance optimized with tools from landscape genetics, for multiple timeframes, using forest‐cover data from 1963 to 2015. Analyses were conducted for pairs of populations at distances from 1 to 50 km.ResultsWe find evidence for a time lag in L. montandoni, with forest cover from 40 years ago (ca. 10 newt generations) better explaining current genetic differentiation. In L. vulgaris, current genetic differentiation was better predicted by present land‐cover models with lower resistance given to open forests. This result may reflect the generalist ecology of L. vulgaris, its lower effective population sizes and exposure to habitat destruction and fragmentation.Main ConclusionsOur study provides evidence for time lags in L. montandoni, showing that the genetic consequences of landscape change for some species are not yet evident. Our findings highlight the interspecific variation in time lag prevalence and demonstrate that current patterns of genetic differentiation should be interpreted in the context of historical landscape changes.

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Linking genetic structure, landscape genetics, and species distribution modeling for regional conservation of a threatened freshwater turtle

Cited by 15 publications

References 77 publications

(Not) far from home: No sex bias in dispersal, but limited genetic patch size, in an endangered species, the Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)

(Not) far from home: No sex bias in dispersal, but limited genetic patch size, in an endangered species, the Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata)

Spatial prioritisation for crested newt conservation in Luxembourg: Insights from population genetics and species distribution modelling

Past forest cover explains current genetic differentiation in the Carpathian newt (Lissotriton montandoni), but not in the smooth newt (L. vulgaris)

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