Abstract
Landscape features can strongly influence gene flow and the strength and direction of these effects may vary across spatial scales. However, few studies have evaluated methodological approaches for selecting spatial scales in landscape genetics analyses, in part because of computational challenges associated with optimizing landscape resistance surfaces (LRS). We used the federally threatened eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) in central Florida as a case study with which to compare the importance of landscape features and their scales of effect in influencing gene flow. We used genetic algorithms (ResistanceGA) to empirically optimize LRS using categorical land cover surfaces, multiscale resource selection surfaces (RSS), and four combinations of landscape covariates measured at multiple spatial scales (multisurface multiscale LRS). We compared LRS where scale was selected using pseudo- and full optimization. Multisurface multiscale LRS received more empirical support than LRS optimized from categorical land cover surfaces or RSS. Multiscale LRS with scale selected using full optimization generally outperformed those with scale selected using pseudo-optimization. Multiscale LRS with large spatial scales (1200–1800 m) received the most empirical support. Our results highlight the importance of considering landscape features across multiple spatial scales in landscape genetic analyses, particularly broad scales relative to species movement potential. Different effects of scale on home range-level movements and dispersal could explain weak associations between habitat suitability and gene flow in other studies. Our results also demonstrate the importance of large tracts of undeveloped upland habitat with heterogenous vegetation communities and low urbanization for promoting indigo snake connectivity.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 3422-3438 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Molecular Ecology |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 14 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jul 2021 |
Funding
Funding was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Orianne Society, the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Illinois Natural History Survey, an E.E. Williams Research Grant from the Herpetologist's League, a Roger Conant Grant in Herpetology from the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and an Exploration Fund Grant from The Explorer's Club. Z. Forsburg, L. Paden, and P. Barnhart assisted with field work and R. Johnson and B. Olson assisted with lab work. The Archbold Biological Station and B. Rothermel provided logistical support. Many private landowners provided access to their properties and G. Graziani, D. Parker, B. Rothermel, and J. Sage provided additional samples. The Ohio Super Computer provided computational resources. This study was conducted under permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (TE28025A-1), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (WX97328), University of Florida Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (200903450) and the Archbold Biological Station Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (ABS-AUP-002-R). The comments of three anonymous reviewers greatly improved this manuscript. Funding was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Orianne Society, the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Illinois Natural History Survey, an E.E. Williams Research Grant from the Herpetologist's League, a Roger Conant Grant in Herpetology from the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and an Exploration Fund Grant from The Explorer's Club. Z. Forsburg, L. Paden, and P. Barnhart assisted with field work and R. Johnson and B. Olson assisted with lab work. The Archbold Biological Station and B. Rothermel provided logistical support. Many private landowners provided access to their properties and G. Graziani, D. Parker, B. Rothermel, and J. Sage provided additional samples. The Ohio Super Computer provided computational resources. This study was conducted under permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (TE28025A‐1), Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (WX97328), University of Florida Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (200903450) and the Archbold Biological Station Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (ABS‐AUP‐002‐R). The comments of three anonymous reviewers greatly improved this manuscript.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Orianne Society | |
| ABS-AUP-002-R, 200903450 | |
| TE28025A-1 | |
| Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | WX97328 |
Keywords
- ResistanceGA
- connectivity
- habitat fragmentation
- landscape genetics
- multiscale
- spatial scale
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