Genetic erosion in a stenotopic heathland ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae): a matter of habitat size?

摘要: Two centuries ago large areas of north-west Europe were covered by coherent heathlands which hosted numerous specialized species. Changes in land use made fragmented and rare, consequently, they are the focus nature conservation efforts today. But how should remaining heathland patches be order to secure survival populations species? We investigated genetic diversity at five allozyme loci Poecilus lepidus, a flightless stenotopic ground beetle. 29 from differently sized Germany analyzed. Results show weak but significant differentiation no evidence for isolation distance or other patterns spatial autocorrelation. Linear regression analysis revealed relationships between patch size, allelic richness, number alleles expected heterozygosity. These findings explained severe habitat fragmentation together with strong fluctuations population size have been reported this species past. To conserve vast majority species’ period 100 years we suggest maintain least 50 ha size.