TY - JOUR
T1 - Spatial genetic structure in American black bears (Ursus americanus)
T2 - Female philopatry is variable and related to population history
AU - Kristensen, Thea V.
AU - Puckett, Emily E.
AU - Landguth, Erin L.
AU - Belant, Jerrold L.
AU - Hast, John T.
AU - Carpenter, Colin
AU - Sajecki, Jaime L.
AU - Beringer, Jeff
AU - Means, Myron
AU - Cox, John J.
AU - Eggert, Lori S.
AU - White, Don
AU - Smith, Kimberly G.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 The Genetics Society.
PY - 2018/4/1
Y1 - 2018/4/1
N2 - Previously, American black bears (Ursus americanus) were thought to follow the pattern of female philopatry and male-biased dispersal. However, recent studies have identified deviations from this pattern. Such flexibility in dispersal patterns can allow individuals greater ability to acclimate to changing environments. We explored dispersal and spatial genetic relatedness patterns across ten black bear populations - including long established (historic), with known reproduction >50 years ago, and newly established (recent) populations, with reproduction recorded <50 years ago - in the Interior Highlands and Southern Appalachian Mountains, United States. We used spatially explicit, individual-based genetic simulations to model gene flow under scenarios with varying levels of population density, genetic diversity, and female philopatry. Using measures of genetic distance and spatial autocorrelation, we compared metrics between sexes, between population types (historic and recent), and among simulated scenarios which varied in density, genetic diversity, and sex-biased philopatry. In empirical populations, females in recent populations exhibited stronger patterns of isolation-by-distance (IBD) than females and males in historic populations. In simulated populations, low-density populations had a stronger indication of IBD than medium- to high-density populations; however, this effect varied in empirical populations. Condition-dependent dispersal strategies may permit species to cope with novel conditions and rapidly expand populations. Pattern-process modeling can provide qualitative and quantitative means to explore variable dispersal patterns, and could be employed in other species, particularly to anticipate range shifts in response to changing climate and habitat conditions.
AB - Previously, American black bears (Ursus americanus) were thought to follow the pattern of female philopatry and male-biased dispersal. However, recent studies have identified deviations from this pattern. Such flexibility in dispersal patterns can allow individuals greater ability to acclimate to changing environments. We explored dispersal and spatial genetic relatedness patterns across ten black bear populations - including long established (historic), with known reproduction >50 years ago, and newly established (recent) populations, with reproduction recorded <50 years ago - in the Interior Highlands and Southern Appalachian Mountains, United States. We used spatially explicit, individual-based genetic simulations to model gene flow under scenarios with varying levels of population density, genetic diversity, and female philopatry. Using measures of genetic distance and spatial autocorrelation, we compared metrics between sexes, between population types (historic and recent), and among simulated scenarios which varied in density, genetic diversity, and sex-biased philopatry. In empirical populations, females in recent populations exhibited stronger patterns of isolation-by-distance (IBD) than females and males in historic populations. In simulated populations, low-density populations had a stronger indication of IBD than medium- to high-density populations; however, this effect varied in empirical populations. Condition-dependent dispersal strategies may permit species to cope with novel conditions and rapidly expand populations. Pattern-process modeling can provide qualitative and quantitative means to explore variable dispersal patterns, and could be employed in other species, particularly to anticipate range shifts in response to changing climate and habitat conditions.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85037745723&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/s41437-017-0019-0
DO - 10.1038/s41437-017-0019-0
M3 - Article
C2 - 29234157
AN - SCOPUS:85037745723
SN - 0018-067X
VL - 120
SP - 329
EP - 341
JO - Heredity
JF - Heredity
IS - 4
ER -