A rapid, strong, and convergent genetic response to urban habitat fragmentation in four divergent and widespread vertebrates.

ABSTRACT: Urbanization is a major cause of habitat fragmentation worldwide. Ecological and conservation theory predicts many potential impacts of habitat fragmentation on natural populations, including genetic impacts. Habitat fragmentation by urbanization causes populations of animals and plants to be isolated in patches of suitable habitat that are surrounded by non-native vegetation or severely altered vegetation, asphalt, concrete, and human structures. This can lead to genetic divergence between patches and in turn to decreased genetic diversity within patches through genetic drift and inbreeding. We examined population genetic patterns using microsatellites in four common vertebrate species, three lizards and one bird, in highly fragmented urban southern California. Despite significant phyloge

SUBMITTER: Delaney KS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2940822 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature