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Anthropogenic pressures drive population genetic structuring across a Critically Endangered lemur species range.

Authors :
Baden AL
Mancini AN
Federman S
Holmes SM
Johnson SE
Kamilar J
Louis EE Jr
Bradley BJ
Source :
Scientific reports [Sci Rep] 2019 Nov 07; Vol. 9 (1), pp. 16276. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Nov 07.
Publication Year :
2019

Abstract

In recent decades Madagascar has experienced significant habitat loss and modification, with minimal understanding of how human land use practices have impacted the evolution of its flora and fauna. In light of ongoing and intensifying anthropogenic pressures, we seek new insight into mechanisms driving genetic variability on this island, using a Critically Endangered lemur species, the black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata), as a test case. Here, we examine the relative influence of natural and anthropogenic landscape features that we predict will impose barriers to dispersal and promote genetic structuring across the species range. Using circuit theory, we model functional connectivity among 18 sampling localities using population-based genetic distance (F <subscript>ST</subscript> ). We optimized resistance surfaces using genetic algorithms and assessed their performance using maximum-likelihood population-effects mixed models. The best supported resistance model was a composite surface that included two anthropogenic features, habitat cover and distance to villages, suggesting that rapid land cover modification by humans has driven change in the genetic structure of wild lemurs. Primary conservation priority should be placed on mitigating further forest loss and connecting regions identified as having low dispersal potential to prevent further loss of genetic diversity and promote the survival of other moist forest specialists.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2045-2322
Volume :
9
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Scientific reports
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
31700150
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-52689-2