Comparing Genetic and Field-Based Estimates of Population Connectivity in Marbled Salamanders, Ambystoma opacum

Abstract

Estimating connectivity is key for maintaining population viability for pond-breeding amphibians, especially in areas where habitat alterations occur. Here, we used genetic data (microsatellites) to estimate connectivity of marbled salamanders, Ambystoma opacum, among three focal ponds and compared it to field data (capture-mark-recapture estimates) of movement among the same ponds. In addition, we derived least-cost dispersal paths from genetic data and compared them to field connectivity estimates. We found that genetic and field estimates of dispersal were generally congruent, but field-based paths were more complex than genetic-based paths. While both methods complement each other in identifying important source-sink metapopulation dynamics to inform efficient conservation management plans, field data provide a more biologically accurate understanding of the spatial movement of individual marbled salamanders.