Population Genetics of the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) across Multiple Spatial Scales

摘要: Conservation genetics is a powerful tool to assess the population structure of species and provides framework for informing management freshwater ecosystems. As lotic habitats become fragmented, need gene flow conservation becomes priority. The eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) large, fully aquatic paedamorphic salamander. Many populations are experiencing declines throughout their geographic range, yet genetic ramifications these currently unknown. To this end, we examined levels variation at both range-wide drainage (hierarchical) scales. We collected 1,203 individuals from 77 rivers nine states June 2007 August 2011. Levels diversity were relatively high among all sampling locations. detected significant across (Fst values ranged 0.001 between within single watershed 0.218 states). identified two genetically differentiated groups scale: 1) Ohio River 2) Tennessee drainage. An analysis molecular variance (AMOVA) based on landscape-scale basins revealed majority (∼94–98%) occurs rivers. Eastern hellbenders show strong pattern isolation by stream distance (IBSD) level. Understanding differentiation multiple spatial biological scales will enable natural resource managers make more informed decisions plan effective strategies cryptic, species.