High inbreeding and low connectivity among Ambystoma texanum populations in fragmented Ohio forests.

ABSTRACT: Habitat loss and fragmentation negatively impact the size and diversity of many natural populations. Woodland amphibians require connected aquatic and terrestrial habitats to complete their life cycle, and often rely on metapopulation structure for long-term persistence. Wetland loss and deforestation fragment amphibian populations, which may result in population isolation and its negative effects. The aim of this research was to analyze the population genetic structure of small-mouthed salamanders (Ambystoma texanum) in western Ohio, where agriculture is now the dominant land use. Salamander tail tissue was collected from eight breeding pools. Three pools occur in the same forest; the other five are in forest patches at distances ranging from 250 m to 20 km from one another. Eight

SUBMITTER: Rhoads EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5743690 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature