scholarly journals Integrating Multiple Lines of Evidence to Explore Intraspecific Variability in a Rare Endemic Alpine Plant and Implications for Its Conservation

Plants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1160
Author(s):  
Martino Adamo ◽  
Stefano Mammola ◽  
Virgile Noble ◽  
Marco Mucciarelli
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Intraspecific Variability ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Species Range ◽  
Distribution Area ◽  
Nominal Species ◽  
Peripheral Populations ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Precipitation Seasonality

We studied the ecology, distribution, and phylogeography of Tephroseris balbisiana, a rare plant whose range is centered to the South-Western Alps. Our aim was to assess the extent of intraspecific variability within the nominal species and the conservation status of isolated populations. We studied genetic diversity across the whole species range. We analyzed leaf traits, which are distinctive morphological characters within the Tephroseris genus. A clear pattern of genetic variation was found among populations of T. balbisiana, which clustered according to their geographic position. On the contrary, there was a strong overlap in the morphological space of individuals across the species’ range, with few peripheral populations diverging in their leaf morphology. Studying habitat suitability by means of species distribution models, we observed that T. balbisiana range is primarily explained by solar radiation and precipitation seasonality. Environmental requirements could explain the genetic and morphological uniformity of T. balbisiana in its core distribution area and justify genetic, morphological, and ecological divergences found among the isolated populations of the Apennines. Our findings emphasize the need to account for the whole diversity of a species, comprising peripheral populations, in order to better estimate its status and to prioritize areas for its conservation.

Genetic Structure is Inconsistent with Subspecies Designations in the Western Massasauga Sistrurus tergeminus

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 350-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wade A. Ryberg ◽  
Johanna A. Harvey ◽  
Anna Blick ◽  
Toby J. Hibbitts ◽  
Gary Voelker
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Peripheral Populations ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
North Central ◽  
Sistrurus Catenatus ◽  
Central Texas ◽  
Difficult Challenge ◽  
Incomplete Sampling

Abstract The massasauga Sistrurus catenatus was historically divided into three subspecies, but this long-standing taxonomy has recently been called into question. Genetic research now recognizes a split of the species into the eastern massasauga S. catenatus and western massasauga S. tergeminus, with the latter split into two subspecies, the desert massasauga S. t. edwardsii and the prairie massasauga S. t. tergeminus. Although the distinction between geographically isolated populations of S. catenatus and S. tergeminus is well-supported genetically, the geographic relationships among populations of S. t. tergeminus and S. t. edwardsii remain unresolved because of incomplete sampling throughout the species’ range. This poses a difficult challenge for conservation and management of this species. Sistrurus t. tergeminus does not have state or federal conservation status, but S. t. edwardsii has been petitioned for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. In this study, we used nuclear and mitochondrial DNA from 52 individuals from 7 states to explore the taxonomic and geographic relationships between S. t. tergeminus and S. t. edwardsii populations. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference frameworks for both nuclear and mtDNA genes indicated that S. t. tergeminus and S. t. edwardsii populations were genetically indistinguishable. However, at the species level, we did find eight well-supported mtDNA clades within S. tergeminus, including individuals from five peripheral populations in 1) Arizona and western New Mexico, 2) Colorado and Kansas, 3) Missouri, 4) Oklahoma, and 5) southern Texas. These peripherally isolated populations surrounded a larger population of individuals from north-central Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma that was contiguous with three additional genetically distinct populations. We conclude that the putative subspecies S. t. tergeminus and S. t. edwardsii, as currently defined, most likely represent polytypic phenotypes of S. tergeminus rather than discrete taxonomic entities. Instead, we suggest that S. tergeminus existed historically as a large, contiguous collection of populations that only recently became fragmented into several, as opposed to two, potentially discrete taxonomic entities.

A first step towards the revision of Cicurina: redescription of type specimens of 60 troglobitic species of the subgenus Cicurella (Araneae: Dictynidae), and a first visual assessment of their distribution

Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2002 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
PIERRE PAQUIN ◽  
NADINE DUPÉRRÉ
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Intraspecific Variability ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
Nominal Species ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Numerous Species ◽  
Morphological Differences ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Conservation And Management

The intraspecific variability recently documented in the genus Cicurina strongly suggests a reassessment of the taxonomy, particularly for the troglobitic members. Adult troglobitic Cicurina (subgenus Cicurella) are rare and most of the 60 nominal species of troglobitic Cicurina (Cicurella) were originally described upon the examination of only one or two females, resulting in numerous species differing only in minor variations of the female genitalia. In many cases, such morphological differences could also be interpreted as intraspecific variability. We present the first step of the taxonomic revision of the genus with the redescription of all troglobitic species of the subgenus Cicurella based on type specimens to provide a reliable and comparable morphological basis: Cicurina bandera Gertsch 1992, C. bandida Gertsch 1992, C. baronia Gertsch 1992, C. barri Gertsch 1992, C. browni Gertsch 1992, C. brunsi Cokendolpher 2004, C. bullis Cokendolpher 2004, C. buwata Chamberlin & Ivie 1940, C. caliga Cokendolpher & Reddell 2001, C. caverna Gertsch 1992, C. coahuila Gertsch 1971, C. coryelli Gertsch 1992, C. cueva Gertsch 1992, C. delrio Gertsch 1992, C. ezelliGertsch 1992, C. gruta Gertsch 1992, C. holsingeri Gertsch 1992, C. hoodensis Cokendolpher & Reddell 2001, C. leona Gertsch 1992, C. loftini Cokendolpher 2004, C. machete Gertsch 1992, C. madla Gertsch 1992, C. maya Gertsch 1977, C. mckenziei Gertsch 1992, C. medina Gertsch 1992, C. menardia Gertsch 1992, C. mirifica Gertsch 1992, C. mixmaster Cokendolpher & Reddell 2001, C. neovespera Cokendolpher 2004, C. obscura Gertsch 1992, C. orellia Gertsch 1992, C. pablo Gertsch 1992, C. pastura Gertsch 1992, C. patei Gertsch 1992, C. platypus Cokendolpher 2004, C. porteri Gertsch 1992, C. puentecilla Gertsch 1992, C. rainesi Gertsch 1992, C. reclusa Gertsch 1992, C. reddelli Gertsch 1992, C. reyesi Gertsch 1992, C. russelli Gertsch 1992, C. sansaba Gertsch 1992, C. selecta Gertsch 1992, C. serena Gertsch 1992, C. sheari Gertsch 1992, C. sprousei Gertsch 1992, C. stowersi Gertsch 1992, C. suttoni Gertsch 1992, C. travisae Gertsch 1992, C. troglobia Cokendolpher 2004, C. ubicki Gertsch 1992, C. uvalde Gertsch 1992, C. venefica Gertsch 1992, C. venii Gertsch 1992, C. vespera Gertsch 1992, C. vibora Gertsch 1992, C. wartoni Gertsch 1992, C. watersi Gertsch 1992 and C. wiltoni Gertsch 1992. We provide, in a series of maps, a first visual assessment of the distribution of these troglobites. Several problems became evident from our examination of the data, including potential synonymies, conflicting distributions, damaged types, potential mislabeling, species known only from one sex, misevaluation of intraspecific variability, and unknown location of type localities. A reliable taxonomic basis for the eyeless members of this genus is particularly important for cave conservation and management because the particular conservation status of these troglobites, particularly for four species that are included on the U.S. Federal list of endangered species.

scholarly journals Distribution, richness and conservation of the genus Salvia (Lamiaceae) in the State of Michoacán, Mexico

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayra Flores-Tolentino ◽  
Sabina I. Lara-Cabrera ◽  
José Luis Villaseñor
Keyword(s):  
Potential Distribution ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Volcanic Belt ◽  
The State ◽  
Distribution Area ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Ecological Niche Models ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Niche Models

Little attention has been paid in Mexico to species’ geographical distribution, particularly documenting geographic ranges, as a tool to estimate their conservation status. The objective of this study was to review known species distribution and propose potential and conservation status for Salvia species in Michoacán sState using Ecological Niche Models (ENM). We reviewed taxonomic studies for Salvia in Michoacán to compile an initial species checklist, built upon with recently-described species; all the specimens deposited in the National Herbarium were reviewed. The collection data allowed us to build niche models of Salvia species reported for Michoacán. ENM were generated for the species listed using Maxent. In order to minimise collinearity, environmental variables were selected using a Pearson correlation test. Individual models were statistically evaluated and the potential distribution models for each individual species were stacked to obtain the map of richness potential distribution in the State. A total of 66 species of Salvia are listed for Michoacán; however, ENM could only be constructed for 42 of those with ≥ 5 specimens. The environmental variable that most strongly contributed to the models was annual average temperature. The models estimated that Salvia species occupy an area of 23,541 km2 in the State, 72% in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and a second richest ecoregion is the Sierra Madre del Sur. Although only 3% of the potential distribution area for Salvia in Michoacán is within Protected Areas (PAs), nonetheless, no PA includes rare species. It will therefore be necessary to consider new protection areas or expand existing ones in order to adequately conserve Salvia richness and rarity in the State.

scholarly journals Morphological variation of leaf traits in the Ternstroemia lineata species complex (Ericales: Penthaphylacaceae) in response to geographic and climatic variation

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8307
Author(s):  
Othón Alcántara-Ayala ◽  
Ken Oyama ◽  
César A. Ríos-Muñoz ◽  
Gerardo Rivas ◽  
Santiago Ramirez-Barahona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Variation ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Leaf Shape ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Distribution Area ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Longitudinal Gradients ◽  
Foliar Traits

Variation in leaf morphology is correlated with environmental variables, such as precipitation, temperature and soil composition. Several studies have pointed out that individual plasticity can largely explain the foliar phenotypic differences observed in populations due to climatic change and have suggested that the environment plays an important role in the evolution of plant species by selecting for phenotypic variation. Thus, the study of foliar morphology in plant populations can help us identify the environmental factors that have potentially influenced the process of species diversification. In this study, we analyzed morphological variation in the leaf traits of the Ternstroemia lineata species complex (Penthaphylacaceae) and its relation to climatic variables across the species distribution area to identify the patterns of morphological differentiation within this species complex. Based on the collected leaves of 270 individuals from 32 populations, we analyzed nine foliar traits using spatial interpolation models and multivariate statistics. A principal component analysis identified three main morphological traits (leaf length and two leaf shape variables) that were used to generate interpolated surface maps to detect discrete areas delimited by zones of rapid change in the values of the morphological traits. We identified a mosaic coarse-grain pattern of geographical distribution in the variation of foliar traits. According to the interpolation maps, we could define nine morphological groups and their geographic distributions. Longer leaves, spatulate leaves and the largest foliar area were located in sites with lower precipitation and higher seasonality of precipitation following a northwest–southeast direction and following significant latitudinal and longitudinal gradients. According to the phenogram of the relationships of the nine morphological groups based on morphological similarity, the putative species and subspecies of the T. lineata species complex did not show a clear pattern of differentiation. In this study, we found a complex pattern of differentiation with some isolated populations and some other contiguous populations differentiated by different traits. Further genetic and systematic studies are needed to clarify the evolutionary relationships in this species complex.

Distribution Models and Spatial Analyses Provide Robust Assessments of Conservation Status of Orchid Species in Colombia: The Case of Lephantes mucronata

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Juan Sebastián Moreno ◽  
Stephania Sandoval-Arango ◽  
Rubén Darío Palacio ◽  
Nestor Fabio Alzate ◽  
Milton Rincón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Spatial Analyses ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Orchid Species

scholarly journals Whole genome sequencing reveals high differentiation, low levels of genetic diversity and short runs of homozygosity among Swedish wels catfish

Heredity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel Jensen ◽  
Mette Lillie ◽  
Kristofer Bergström ◽  
Per Larsson ◽  
Jacob Höglund
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing ◽  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing Data ◽  
Peripheral Populations ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Runs Of Homozygosity ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Native Populations

AbstractThe use of genetic markers in the context of conservation is largely being outcompeted by whole-genome data. Comparative studies between the two are sparse, and the knowledge about potential effects of this methodology shift is limited. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing data to assess the genetic status of peripheral populations of the wels catfish (Silurus glanis), and discuss the results in light of a recent microsatellite study of the same populations. The Swedish populations of the wels catfish have suffered from severe declines during the last centuries and persists in only a few isolated water systems. Fragmented populations generally are at greater risk of extinction, for example due to loss of genetic diversity, and may thus require conservation actions. We sequenced individuals from the three remaining native populations (Båven, Emån, and Möckeln) and one reintroduced population of admixed origin (Helge å), and found that genetic diversity was highest in Emån but low overall, with strong differentiation among the populations. No signature of recent inbreeding was found, but a considerable number of short runs of homozygosity were present in all populations, likely linked to historically small population sizes and bottleneck events. Genetic substructure within any of the native populations was at best weak. Individuals from the admixed population Helge å shared most genetic ancestry with the Båven population (72%). Our results are largely in agreement with the microsatellite study, and stresses the need to protect these isolated populations at the northern edge of the distribution of the species.

Combining conservation status and species distribution models for planning assisted colonisation under climate change

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Casazza ◽  
Thomas Abeli ◽  
Gianluigi Bacchetta ◽  
Davide Dagnino ◽  
Giuseppe Fenu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Species Distribution Models ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Distribution Models

scholarly journals Determining population trends and conservation status of the common quail (Coturnix coturnix) in Western Europe

2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-352
Author(s):  
M. Puigcerver ◽  
◽  
F. Sardà–Palomera ◽  
J. D. Rodriguez-Teijeiro ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
Coturnix Coturnix ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Quail

In this paper we review the conservation status and population trends of the common quail (Coturnix coturnix) from 1900 to the present. Data are sometimes contradictory with regard to the status of this species as it has some features that make it difficult to produce reliable population estimates. Recent data clearly suggest, either at a local scale or at a trans–national scale, that the Atlantic common quail populations have remained stable in the last two decades, and that restocking practices with farm–reared quails (hybrids with the Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica) do not affect our estimates. The complex movement patterns showed by this species require special attention. Analysis of ring recoveries can give important information, especially about the nomadic movement of quails in search of suitable habitats after the destruction of winter cereal crops due to harvesting. Thus, when developing a breeding distribution model for this species, continuously updated information on seasonal habitat and weather must be included for optimal prediction. Including fortnightly data of vegetation indices in distribution models, for example, has shown good results. Obtaining reliable predictions about changes in species distribution and movements during the breeding period could provide useful knowledge about the conservation status and population trends and would help in the design of future management measures.

scholarly journals Distribution, habitat associations, and conservation status updates for the pilose crayfish Pacifastacus gambelii (Girard, 1852) and Snake River pilose crayfish Pacifastacus connectens (Faxon, 1914) of the western United States

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M. Egly ◽  
Eric R. Larson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Classification Tree ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
False Positives ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Boosted Regression Trees ◽  
Western United States ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Precipitation Seasonality ◽  
Historical Sites

Our study evaluates the distribution, habitat associations, and current conservation status of the Snake River pilose crayfish Pacifastacus connectens (Faxon, 1914) and pilose crayfish Pacifastacus gambelii (Girard, 1852), two little-studied and data-deficient species endemic to the western United States. We first developed a species distribution model (SDM) for the pilose crayfishes based on their historical occurrence records using boosted regression trees and freshwater GIS data layers. We then sampled 163 sites in the summers of 2016 and 2017 within the distribution of these crayfishes, including 50 where these species were observed historically. We next compared our field results to modeled predictions of suitable habitat from the SDM. Our SDM predicted 73 sites (45%) we sampled as suitable for the pilose crayfishes, with a moderate AUC value of 0.824. The pilose crayfishes were generally predicted to occur in larger streams and rivers with less extreme upstream temperature and precipitation seasonality. We found the pilose crayfishes at only 20 (12%) of the 163 total sites we sampled, 14 (20%) of the 73 sites predicted as suitable for them by our SDM, and 12 (24%) of 50 historical sites that we sampled. We found the invasive virile crayfish Faxonius virilis (Hagen, 1870) at 22 sites total and 12 (24%) historical sites for the pilose crayfishes, and we found the “native invader” signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana, 1852) at 29 sites total and 6 (12%) historical sites for the pilose crayfishes. We subsequently used a single classification tree to identify factors associated with our high rate of false positives for contemporary pilose crayfish distributions relative to our SDM. This classification tree identified the presence of invasive crayfishes, impairment of the benthic community, and sampling method as some of the factors differentiating false positives relative to true positives for the pilose crayfishes. Our study identified the historical distribution and habitat associations for P. connectens and P. gambelii using an SDM and contrasted this prediction to results of contemporary field sampling. We found that the pilose crayfishes have seemingly experienced substantial range declines, attributable to apparent displacement by invasive crayfishes and impairment or change to stream communities and habitat. We recommend increased conservation and management attention to P. connectens and P. gambelii in response to these findings.

scholarly journals Distribution update, conservation status and color in life of the rare Amazonian snake, Eutrachelophis papilio Zaher and Prudente 2019 (Serpentes: Xenodontini)

2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-255
Author(s):  
Nathalie CITELI ◽  
Mariana DE-CARVALHO ◽  
Reuber BRANDÃO
Keyword(s):  
Convex Polygon ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Distribution Area ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Human Footprint ◽  
Data Deficient ◽  
First Time ◽  
Polygon Method ◽  
Anthropic Pressure

ABSTRACT The rare Amazonian snake Eutrachelophis papilio is known from only five individuals, from four localities, belonging to its type-series, the more recent collected over 10 years ago. Here, we expand its distribution and describe its color in life for the first time. We also provide an estimate of its distribution area using the minimum convex polygon method and identify the values of anthropic pressure within its known distribution range with the Human Footprint Index. The new occurrence is located 291 km from the nearest known locality and its distribution is associated with pristine forests. Considering its rarity, and the absence of demographic and biological data, we suggest that the species should be classified as Data Deficient by IUCN criteria.

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