Population genetic evaluations within a co‐distributed taxonomic group: a multi‐species approach to conservation planning

摘要: Multi-species approaches provide valuable insight for conservation planning, yet most studies focus on only one species while generalizing across taxa. Here, we employed 5–14 microsatellite DNA loci to evaluate population genetic patterns and future vulnerability a freshwater turtle assemblage distributed north-eastern Illinois. Focal (Emydoidea blandingii, Clemmys guttata, Chrysemys picta and Chelydra serpentina) differ in status as well ecological life-history traits, which modulate gene flow heterogeneous landscapes. We hypothesized (1) common more ubiquitous (C. picta C. serpentina) would exhibit higher levels of connectivity compared restricted distributions with an elevated (E. blandingii C. guttata) (2) endangered greater loss future diversity. found that varied considerably among co-distributed species. Endangered had lower diversity flow, pronounced structure risk drift species, thus supporting our hypotheses. The observed are potentially attributable traits will affect the long-term viability four within modified Illinois landscape. Our study is important first step understanding how landscape features species-specific interact altered It also underscores multi-species can be informative actions.