Fine-scale population structure in a desert amphibian: landscape genetics of the black toad (Bufo exsul).

摘要: Environmental variables can strongly influence a variety of intra- and inter-population processes, including demography, population structure gene flow. When environmental conditions are particularly harsh for certain species, investigating these effects is important to understanding how populations persist under difficult conditions. Furthermore, species inhabiting challenging environments present excellent opportunities examine the complex landscapes on processes because will often be more pronounced. In this study, I use 16 microsatellite loci structure, flow demographic history in black toad, Bufo exsul, which has one most restricted natural ranges any amphibian. exsul inhabits four springs Deep Springs Valley high desert basin never been observed than several meters from source water. My results reveal limited moderately levels (FST = 0.051–0.063) between all but two closest springs. found that geographic distance across arid scrub habitat significantly correlated with genetic when accounts topography barriers dispersal. also very low effective sizes (Ne = 7–30) substantial evidence historical bottlenecks populations. Together, suggest landscape B. exsul’s specificity contribute demography emphasize importance considering behavioural data conservation studies systems.