Anthropogenic pressures drive population genetic structuring across a Critically Endangered lemur species range.

ABSTRACT: In recent decades Madagascar has experienced significant habitat loss and modification, with minimal understanding of how human land use practices have impacted the evolution of its flora and fauna. In light of ongoing and intensifying anthropogenic pressures, we seek new insight into mechanisms driving genetic variability on this island, using a Critically Endangered lemur species, the black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata), as a test case. Here, we examine the relative influence of natural and anthropogenic landscape features that we predict will impose barriers to dispersal and promote genetic structuring across the species range. Using circuit theory, we model functional connectivity among 18 sampling localities using population-based genetic distance (F_ST). We opt

SUBMITTER: Baden AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6838192 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature