Demographic structure, genetic diversity and habitat distribution of the endangered, Australian rainforest tree Macadamia jansenii help facilitate an introduction program

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Shapcott ◽  
Michael Powell
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Wild Population ◽  
Local Area ◽  
Habitat Model ◽  
Population Census ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Potential Habitat ◽  
Habitat Analysis ◽  
Model Combining

Macadamia jansenii is endemic to south-east Queensland, Australia, and is currently known from a single population 180 km north of the nearest wild population of its congener, the edible Macadamia integrifolia. A recently developed Macadamia recovery plan identified that this population was under significant threat and recommended a reintroduction program to safeguard against chance extinction of the single wild population. This study undertook demographic population census surveys, genetic analysis, habitat analysis and niche modelling to determine the potential long-term viability for the species, and to guide search and reintroduction programs. We expanded the known population size of the species to ~60 individuals (1 m and taller) spread over a 900-m distance along a single creek clumped into three subpopulations. There was moderate genetic diversity in the species and the subpopulations showed little genetic differentiation. We developed a potential habitat model combining abiotic variables and vegetation associations, and mapped areas of potentially suitable habitat for M. jansenii within its local area. These maps are being used to target searches for other populations and to guide the location of introduction populations.

scholarly journals Landscape Connectivity and Suitable Habitat Analysis for Wolves (Canis lupus L.) in the Eastern Pyrenees

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (14) ◽  
pp. 5762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Garcia-Lozano ◽  
Diego Varga ◽  
Josep Pintó ◽  
Francesc Xavier Roig-Munar
Keyword(s):  
Landscape Connectivity ◽  
The State ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Mountain Area ◽  
Natural Protected Areas ◽  
Potential Habitat ◽  
Eastern Pyrenees ◽  
Current State ◽  
Habitat Analysis ◽  
Permanent Settlement

Over the last few decades, much of the mountain area in European countries has turned into potential habitat for species of medium- and large-sized mammals. Some of the occurrences that explain this trend are biodiversity protection, the creation of natural protected areas, and the abandonment of traditional agricultural activities. In recent years, wolves have once again been seen in forests in the eastern sector of the Pyrenees and the Pre-Pyrenees. The success or failure of their permanent settlement will depend on several factors, including conservation measures for the species, habitat availability, and the state of landscape connectivity. The aim of this study is to analyze the state of landscape connectivity for fragments of potential wolf habitat in Catalonia, Andorra, and on the French side of the Eastern Pyrenees. The results show that a third of the area studied constitutes potential wolf habitat and almost 90% of these spaces are of sufficient size to host stable packs. The set of potential wolf habitat fragments was also assessed using the probability of connectivity index (dPC), which analyses landscape connectivity based on graph structures. According to the graph theory, the results confirm that all the nodes or habitat fragments are directly or indirectly interconnected, thus forming a single component. Given the large availability of suitable habitat and the current state of landscape connectivity for the species, the dispersal of the wolf would be favorable if stable packs are formed. A new established population in the Pyrenees could lead to more genetic exchange between the Iberian wolf population and the rest of Europe’s wolf populations.

scholarly journals Genetic diversity and ecological niche modelling of the restrictedRecordia reitzii(Verbenaceae) from southern Brazilian Atlantic forest

2014 ◽  
Vol 176 (3) ◽  
pp. 332-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verônica A. Thode ◽  
Gustavo A. Silva-Arias ◽  
Caroline Turchetto ◽  
Ana Lúcia A. Segatto ◽  
Geraldo Mäder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Ecological Niche Modelling ◽  
Brazilian Atlantic Forest ◽  
Niche Modelling

scholarly journals Population Genetic Structure and Habitat Connectivity for Jaguar (Panthera onca) Conservation in Central Belize.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelica Menchaca ◽  
Natalia Rossi ◽  
Jeremy Froidevaux ◽  
Isabela Dias-freedman ◽  
Anthony Caragiulo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Gene Flow ◽  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Genetic Connectivity ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Panthera Onca ◽  
Wildlife Sanctuary ◽  
Landscape Permeability ◽  
Forest Reserve

Abstract Connectivity among jaguar (Panthera onca) populations will ensure natural gene flow and the long-term survival of the species throughout its range. Jaguar conservation efforts have focused primarily on connecting suitable habitat in a broad-scale. Accelerated habitat reduction, human-wildlife conflict, limited funding, and the complexity of jaguar behaviour have proven challenging to maintain connectivity between populations effectively. Here, we used non-invasive genetic sampling and individual-based conservation genetic analyses to assess genetic diversity and levels of genetic connectivity between individuals in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Maya Forest Corridor. We used expert knowledge and scientific literature to develop models of landscape permeability based on circuit theory with fine-scale landscape features as ecosystem types, distance to human settlements and roads to predict the most probable jaguar movement across central Belize. Results We used 12 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci to identify 50 individual jaguars. We detected high levels of genetic diversity across loci (HE= 0.61, HO= 0.55, and NA=9.33). Using Bayesian clustering and multivariate models to assess gene flow and genetic structure, we identified one single group of jaguars (K = 1). We identified critical areas for jaguar movement that fall outside the boundaries of current protected areas in central Belize. We detected two main areas of high landscape permeability in a stretch of approximately 18 km between Sittee River Forest Reserve and Manatee Forest Reserve that may increase functional connectivity and facilitate jaguar dispersal from and to Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Our analysis provides important insights on fine-scale genetic and landscape connectivity of jaguars in central Belize, an area of conservation concern. Conclusions The results of our study demonstrate high levels of relatively recent gene flow for jaguars between two study sites in central Belize. Our landscape analysis detected corridors of expected jaguar movement between the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Maya Forest Corridor. We highlight the importance of maintaining already established corridors and consolidating new areas that further promote jaguar movement across suitable habitat beyond the boundaries of currently protected areas. Continued conservation efforts within identified corridors will further maintain and increase genetic connectivity in central Belize.

scholarly journals Little hope for the polyploid endemic Pyrenean Larkspur (Delphinium montanum): evidences from population genomics and Ecological Niche Modelling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascaline Salvado ◽  
Pere Aymerich Boixader ◽  
Josep Parera ◽  
Albert Vila Bonfill ◽  
Maria Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Population Genomics ◽  
Diploid Species ◽  
Ecological Niche Modelling ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Sky Islands ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Ecological Requirements

Species endemic to restricted geographical ranges represent a particular conservation issue, be it for their heritage interest. In a context of global change, this is particularly the case for plants which belong to high-mountain ecosystems and, because of their ecological requirements, are doomed to survive or disappear on their "sky islands". The Pyrenean Larkspur (Delphinium montanum, Ranunculaceae) is endemic to the Eastern part of the Pyrenees (France and Spain). It is now only observable at a dozen of localities and some populations show signs of decline, such as a recurrent lack of flowering. Implementing population genomic approach (e.g. RAD-seq like) is particularly useful to understand genomic patterns of diversity and differentiation in order to provide recommendations in term of conservation. However, it remains challenging for species such as D. montanum that are autotetraploid with a large genome size (1C-value > 10 pg) as most methods currently available were developed for diploid species. A Bayesian framework able to call genotypes with uncertainty allowed us to assess genetic diversity and population structure in this system. Our results show evidence for inbreeding (mean GIS = 0.361) within all the populations and substantial population structure (mean GST = 0.403) at the metapopulation level. In addition to a lack of connectivity between populations, spatial projections of Ecological Niche Modelling analyses under different climatic scenarios predict a dramatic decrease of suitable habitat for D. montanum in the future. Based on these results, we discuss the relevance and feasibility of different conservation measures.

scholarly journals Unexpected heterozygosity in an island mouflon population founded by a single pair of individuals

2006 ◽  
Vol 274 (1609) ◽  
pp. 527-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renaud Kaeuffer ◽  
David W Coltman ◽  
Jean-Louis Chapuis ◽  
Dominique Pontier ◽  
Denis Réale
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Wild Population ◽  
Ovis Aries ◽  
Stochastic Simulations ◽  
Single Pair ◽  
Small Populations ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
History Of ◽  
Over Time

In population and conservation genetics, there is an overwhelming body of evidence that genetic diversity is lost over time in small populations. This idea has been supported by comparative studies showing that small populations have lower diversity than large populations. However, longitudinal studies reporting a decline in genetic diversity throughout the whole history of a given wild population are much less common. Here, we analysed changes in heterozygosity over time in an insular mouflon ( Ovis aries ) population founded by two individuals in 1957 and located on one of the most isolated locations in the world: the Kerguelen Sub-Antarctic archipelago. Heterozygosity measured using 25 microsatellite markers has actually increased over 46 years since the introduction, and exceeds the range predicted by neutral genetic models and stochastic simulations. Given the complete isolation of the population and the short period of time since the introduction, changes in genetic variation cannot be attributed to mutation or migration. Several lines of evidence suggest that the increase in heterozygosity with time may be attributable to selection. This study shows the importance of longitudinal genetic surveys for understanding the mechanisms that regulate genetic diversity in wild populations.

Reconstructing historical shifts in suitable habitat of Sceloporus lineages using phylogenetic niche modelling

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 2117-2128
Author(s):  
Julio A. Rivera ◽  
A. Michelle Lawing ◽  
Emília P. Martins
Keyword(s):  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Niche Modelling

Surveys of Arboreal and Terrestrial Mammals in The Montane Forests of Queanbeyan, New South Wales.

1998 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
R. Goldingay ◽  
G. Daly
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Potential Habitat ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Moist Forest ◽  
Logged Forest

Surveys of arboreal and terrestrial mammals were conducted across four State Forests in south-east New South Wales encompassing 80 000 ha. Methods used included spotlighting, Elliott trapping, pitfall trapping, hair-tubing and predator scat analysis. The survey included a plot-based approach and the targeting of areas containing the potential habitat of endangered species. Seven species of arboreal marsupial were detected during spotlighting. The greater glider (Petauroides volans) was significantly more abundant in moist forest compared to dry forest. Its density in moist forest was twice as high in unlogged compared to logged forest and is equivalent to the highest recorded in any forest in NSW. Other arboreal species were less abundant. The yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis), which is Threatened in NSW, was detected at only two sites despite the occurrence of suitable habitat throughout the study area. Eight species of native terrestrial mammals were detected. The tiger quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), which is Threatened in NSW, appears to be more common in the southern part of the study area adjoining large areas of National Park, than in other State Forests of south-east NSW. Continued analysis of predator scats is required to determine whether several other species of Threatened terrestrial mammal occur in these forests.

Genetic diversity patterns in an endangered desert shrub from north-western China: implications for conservation

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 571
Author(s):  
Zhihao Su ◽  
Liuqiang Wang ◽  
Li Zhuo ◽  
Xiaolong Jiang ◽  
Wenjun Li
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Tarim Basin ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Gene Diversity ◽  
Isolation By Distance ◽  
In Situ Conservation ◽  
Western China ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Diversity Patterns ◽  
North Western

Tamarix taklamakanensis is an endangered shrub endemic to the Tarim Basin and adjacent Kumtag Desert in north-western China. Here, we used two chloroplast DNA sequences, namely, psbA-trnH and trnS-trnG, to examine the genetic diversity patterns of this species across its entire covered range. A total of nineteen haplotypes were detected. The total gene diversity within the species is high. Genetic variation mainly occurred among populations, SAMOVA groups, and geographic regions. The test for isolation-by-distance showed a significant correlation between genetic and geographical distances, and the genetic landscape shape analysis showed a significant genetic divergence between the Tarim Basin and Kumtag Desert. T. taklamakanensis likely had a potential geographic range during the Last Glacial Maximum period that was much smaller than the present range predicted by ecological niche modelling. The cold and dry climate during the glacial periods of the Quaternary might be a driver of the genetic isolation and divergence detected within T. taklamakanensis, and climatic oscillations might account for the habitat fragmentation of the species. Within the inner of the basin, populations have a higher level of genetic diversity and harbor most of this genetic diversity, thus a nature reserves should be set up in this area for the in situ conservation. In addition, five genetically distinct groups within T. taklamakanensis should be treated as different management units (MUs) when implementing conservation activities.

scholarly journals Large-scale habitat model reveals a key role of large trees and protected areas in the metapopulation survival of the saproxylic specialist Cucujus cinnaberinus

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (14) ◽  
pp. 3851-3871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michał Bełcik ◽  
Jakub Goczał ◽  
Michał Ciach
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Habitat Model ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Ecosystem Structure ◽  
Secondary Forests ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Saproxylic Beetle ◽  
Ecological Continuity ◽  
Habitat Specialists

Abstract Deforestation for agricultural purposes and logging over centuries has resulted in a significant loss of forest cover and the deep structural and functional simplification of persistent European woodlands, which has led to a large-scale decline in biodiversity. Despite recent reforestation efforts in many regions of Europe, populations of numerous forest species remain unrecovered. Due to the loss of ecological continuity and the simplification of the ecosystem structure and functionality, the value of secondary forests in sustaining habitat specialists is being questioned. Here, we build a large-scale habitat suitability model to predict the current potential of forests to host populations of the flagship European saproxylic beetle Cucujus cinnaberinus. Our maximum entropy model revealed that the distribution of suitable habitats strongly corresponds to the occurrence of large and well-preserved forest complexes that are characterized by an ecological continuity of the stands. Among the analysed environmental variables, the mean tree diameter and distance to protected areas were the most important suitable habitat contributors. The optimum habitats were identified almost exclusively within some parts of the Carpathians and the northeastern part of the country, particularly in the Białowieża Forest, which include the best preserved European forests. Although a large number of small habitat patches was revealed across the country, these patches were highly scattered and had low predicted suitability. This study demonstrates that most woodlands are unsuitable for C. cinnaberinus, which points to the limited value of secondary forests for habitat specialists. Our findings emphasize the importance of large and intact forests with undisrupted ecological continuity as key areas for the persistence of the rare saproxylic beetle, which provokes questions about the effectiveness of reforestation as a tool for the conservation of forest habitat specialists.

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