Temporally dynamic habitat suitability predicts genetic relatedness among caribou

摘要: Landscape heterogeneity plays a central role in shaping ecological and evolutionary processes. While species utilization of the landscape is usually viewed as constant within year, spatial distribution individuals likely to vary time relation particular seasonal needs. Understanding temporal variation use genetic connectivity has direct conservation implications. Here, we modelled daily by caribou Quebec Labrador, Canada tested its ability explain relatedness among individuals. We assessed habitat selection using locations collared migratory herds static occurrences from sedentary groups. Connectivity models based on outperformed baseline isolation-by-distance model explaining relatedness, suggesting that variations features such snow, vegetation productivity land modulate populations. surfaces derived were best predictors relatedness. The relationship between surface varied peaked during rutting period. permeability period mate searching especially important allow gene flow Our study highlights importance considering for optimizing across heterogeneous counter fragmentation.