Unexpectedly low rangewide population genetic structure of the imperiled eastern box turtle Terrapene c. carolina.

ABSTRACT: Rangewide studies of genetic parameters can elucidate patterns and processes that operate only over large geographic scales. Herein, we present a rangewide population genetic assessment of the eastern box turtle Terrapene c. carolina, a species that is in steep decline across its range. To inform conservation planning for this species, we address the hypothesis that disruptions to demographic and movement parameters associated with the decline of the eastern box turtle has resulted in distinctive genetic signatures in the form of low genetic diversity, high population structuring, and decreased gene flow. We used microsatellite genotype data from (n = 799) individuals from across the species range to perform two Bayesian population assignment approaches, two methods for comparing historica

SUBMITTER: Kimble SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3960240 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature