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Genetic structure, metapopulation processes and evolution influence the conservation strategies for two endangered frog species

journal contribution
posted on 1998-01-01, 00:00 authored by Don DriscollDon Driscoll
The survival and continued evolution of a species is a pivotal tenet of conservation biology. Therefore, we need to understand the factors affecting survival and evolution of species to conserve them adequately. In this study I use allozyme electrophoresis to investigate the metapopulation structure and evolutionary processes that operate within the endangered frog species Geocrinia alba and G. vitellina. Genetically, G. alba and G. vitellina are highly subdivided. A number of intraspecific genetic groups can be recognised, although even within these groups there are significant differences in allele frequencies among populations. These differences imply that migration between populations is likely to be extremely restricted, if it occurs at all. The intraspecific genetic patterns suggest an evolutionary history of population bottlenecks followed by range expansion. Therefore, in the short term neither species exists as a metapopulation. However, at a larger time scale, migration, extinction and recolonisation may be central to the evolution and survival of both species. Maintenance of these processes is a challenge to which conservation managers must rise for the criteria of long-term survival and evolution to be met.

History

Journal

Biological conservation

Volume

83

Issue

1

Pagination

43 - 54

Publisher

Elsevier Science

Location

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

ISSN

0006-3207

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

1997, Elsevier Science