Conservation units in north-eastern populations of the Alpine newt (Triturus alpestris)

Abstract

Genetic variation in 19 populations of the alpine newt, Triturus alpestris, was assessed at the north-eastern margin of its range (southern Poland). Allozyme variation at five polymorphic loci was used in order to evaluate the degree of intrapopulational variation and interpopulational differentiation and define conservation units. Three management units were established on the basis of significant differences in allele frequencies. These correspond to three separate mountain ranges, i.e. the Carpathian, Sudetes and Holy Cross Mts. Contemporary gene flow between them is limited. In the extensively sampled Carpathian Mts, genetic structure is less pronounced, although still significant. Among population differentiation may be attributed to genetic drift in accordance with the isolation by distance model. The consequences of recent changes in land use in Central and Eastern Europe for low vagility and genetically structured organisms are discussed.