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Low gene flow but high genetic diversity in the threatened Mallorcan midwife toad Alytes muletensis

Griffiths, Richard A., Kraaijeveld-Smit, Femmie J. L., Beebee, Trevor J.C., Moore, Robin D., Schley, Laurent (2005) Low gene flow but high genetic diversity in the threatened Mallorcan midwife toad Alytes muletensis. Molecular Ecology, 14 (11). pp. 3307-3315. ISSN 0962-1083. (doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2005.02614.x) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:198)

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Abstract

We investigated fine-scale genetic structuring in the rare and vulnerable Mallorcan midwife toad Alytes muletensis using eight polymorphic microsatellite markers. The current range of this amphibian is restricted to some 19 sites of which six are derived from reintroductions, all located in the mountain ranges of Mallorca. We sampled tadpoles from 14 pools covering 10 natural sites and two reintroduction sites for microsatellite DNA analyses. Relatively high levels of genetic variation were found in most pools (H-E = 0.38-0.71, allelic richness = 2.6-6.2). Only at one pool has the population recently gone through a bottleneck. Dispersal between pools in different torrents does not occur whereas downstream dispersal between pools within the same torrent does happen at low frequencies. This occasional exchange of individuals does not lead to neighbouring pools in the same torrent being panmictic. This can be concluded because all F-ST values (0.12-0.53) differ significantly from zero and structure analyses identified neighbouring pools as separate populations. Furthermore, assignment and migration tests showed little exchange between neighbouring pools. If upstream locations or complete torrents go extinct, they are unlikely to be recolonized naturally. For conservation purposes, reintroductions of tadpoles to sites where local extinctions have occurred may therefore be advisable

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2005.02614.x
Uncontrolled keywords: Alytes muletensis • dispersal • gene flow • genetic diversity • Mallorcan midwife toad • microsatellites
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Depositing User: Nicola Kerry-Yoxall
Date Deposited: 19 Dec 2007 18:03 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:39 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/198 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Griffiths, Richard A..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5533-1013
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Kraaijeveld-Smit, Femmie J. L..

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