Quantifying functional connectivity: The role of breeding habitat, abundance, and landscape features on range-wide gene flow in sage-grouse

Evolutionary Applications
Jeffrey R RowBradley C Fedy

Abstract

Functional connectivity, quantified using landscape genetics, can inform conservation through the identification of factors linking genetic structure to landscape mechanisms. We used breeding habitat metrics, landscape attributes, and indices of grouse abundance, to compare fit between structural connectivity and genetic differentiation within five long-established Sage-Grouse Management Zones (MZ) I-V using microsatellite genotypes from 6,844 greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) collected across their 10.7 million-km2 range. We estimated structural connectivity using a circuit theory-based approach where we built resistance surfaces using thresholds dividing the landscape into "habitat" and "nonhabitat" and nodes were clusters of sage-grouse leks (where feather samples were collected using noninvasive techniques). As hypothesized, MZ-specific habitat metrics were the best predictors of differentiation. To our surprise, inclusion of grouse abundance-corrected indices did not greatly improve model fit in most MZs. Functional connectivity of breeding habitat was reduced when probability of lek occurrence dropped below 0.25 (MZs I, IV) and 0.5 (II), thresholds lower than those previously identified as required for the f...Continue Reading

References

Dec 7, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Brad H McRae, Paul Beier
Feb 25, 2009·Molecular Ecology·Lou Jost
Mar 24, 2009·Molecular Ecology·Julie A Lee-YawDavid M Green
Oct 29, 2009·The American Naturalist·Michael B Morrissey, Derrick T de Kerckhove
Jul 14, 2010·Molecular Ecology·Samuel A Cushman, Erin L Landguth
Aug 21, 2010·Molecular Ecology·Corey Devin AndersonStephen Spear
Aug 21, 2010·Molecular Ecology·Melanie A MurphyA Storfer
Sep 8, 2010·Molecular Ecology·E L LandguthG Luikart
Oct 23, 2010·The Journal of Animal Ecology·Chloë M J Strevens, Michael B Bonsall
Mar 25, 2011·Molecular Ecology Resources·Patrick G Meirmans, Philip W Hedrick
Jul 28, 2012·Ecology·Aaron B A ShaferDavid W Coltman
Sep 6, 2013·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Byron V WeckworthStefano Mariani
Jun 23, 2016·Evolutionary Applications·Gretchen H RofflerGordon Luikart

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations


❮ Previous
Next ❯

Methods Mentioned

BETA
electrophoresis
PCR
genotyping

Software Mentioned

ALLELEMATCH
R
DROPOUT
Circuitscape
gdistance

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.