The influence of breeding phenology on the genetic structure of four pond-breeding salamanders.

ABSTRACT: Understanding metapopulation dynamics requires knowledge about local population dynamics and movement in both space and time. Most genetic metapopulation studies use one or two study species across the same landscape to infer population dynamics; however, using multiple co-occurring species allows for testing of hypotheses related to different life history strategies. We used genetic data to study dispersal, as measured by gene flow, in three ambystomatid salamanders (Ambystoma annulatum, A. maculatum, and A. opacum) and the Central Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens louisianensis) on the same landscape in Missouri, USA. While all four salamander species are forest dependent organisms that require fishless ponds to reproduce, they differ in breeding phenology and s

SUBMITTER: Burkhart JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5496555 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature