Presentation Detail

Conservation and Restoration Biology

Malaney, Jason [1].

Using systematic relationships and signatures of biogeographic history to inform conservation.

This study explores why a solid systematics foundation, coupled with the assessment of biogeographic history, is critical to effective implementation of costly conservation. Through comprehensive taxonomic and fine-scale geographic sampling, use of multiple genetic loci, coalescent-based phylogenetic analyses, integration of species distribution models (SDMs) and niche-based test, plus fossil anchors, I provide an alternative view of conservation priorities for the controversial Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei) and North American relatives. This USF&WS listing has been the center of a rancorous public, scientific and political debate for more than 2 decades and is predicted to cost >$440 million by 2030. Conservation efforts have been based on a weak a priori taxonomic understanding that may have missed cryptic variation due to insufficient sampling. Here, I use an integrative approach to species delimitation and exploring biogeographic history. Specifically, I implement a range-wide specimen-based comprehensive sampling strategy to first assess if taxonomy accurately reflects geographic variation. I test between a morphology-based taxonomy versus an alternative criterion-based candidate species approach. This alternate approach,based on genotypic clustering, ignores infraspecific taxonomy and may better capture variation across a spatial expanse that includes both recently colonized and long-occupied regions. Then I analyzed molecular variation to explore how historical climate shifts influenced diversification in zapodid rodents. I assess the 1) historical demographic signatures (genetic), 2) range shifts (SDMs), and 3) ecological exchangeability (niche) to provide an objective and repeatable measure using the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) technique. Results demonstrate that of 21 lineages, Front Range jumping mice are genetically and ecologically indistinct from populations, and subspecies, extending far north to Alaska. This lineage has the largest geographic range and relatively low measures of genetic diversity,consistent with early Holocene northward and westward expansion from the ancestral Great Plains. However, other lineages are of significantly higher conservation concern, suggesting management actions maybe misplaced. This result is consistent with phylogeographic signatures of demographic and spatial expansion as a result of pole-ward movement versus elevational shift and demographic contraction in southern montane isolates. Classically, large and expanding populations across wide ranges are not considered high conservation concern as compared to long-divergent, isolated, small, and contracting populations. This study highlights a fundamental principle in conservation biology. Management actions are too often predicated on taxonomy that predates modern evolutionary concepts, but a solid systematics foundation plus signatures of biogeographic history should be central to establishing conservation priorities.

1 - University of New Mexico, Museum of Southwestern Biology and Dept. of Biology, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA

Keywords:
Conservation genetics
historical biogeography
Integrative taxonomy
phylogeography
Species-tree
species delimitation.

Presentation Type: Regular Oral Presentation
Session: 105
Location: Peruvian A/Snowbird Center
Date: Monday, June 24th, 2013
Time: 9:30 AM
Number: 105005
Abstract ID:920
Candidate for Awards:Ernst Mayr Award