Connectivity rescues genetic diversity after a demographic bottleneck in a butterfly population network.

ABSTRACT: Demographic bottlenecks that occur when populations fluctuate in size erode genetic diversity, but that diversity can be recovered through immigration. Connectivity among populations and habitat patches in the landscape enhances immigration and should in turn facilitate recovery of genetic diversity after a sudden reduction in population size. For the conservation of genetic diversity, it may therefore be particularly important to maintain connectivity in the face of factors that increase demographic instability, such as climate change. However, a direct link between connectivity and recovery of genetic diversity after a demographic bottleneck has not been clearly demonstrated in an empirical system. Here, we show that connectivity of habitat patches in the landscape contributes to the mai

SUBMITTER: Jangjoo M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5047165 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature