Abstract
AbstractAimDetermining whether altitudinal shifts in species distributions leave molecular footprints on wild populations along their range margins from rear to leading edge.LocationSouth‐west France.MethodsWe compared the demographic and genetic variation in 42 wild populations of the Western oviparous subclade B2 of a cold‐adapted lizard (Zootoca vivipara louislantzi). These populations can be divided into four ecological units across altitudinal clines in South‐west France (rear edge: <100 m, admixture zone: 100–500 m, continuous range: 500–1,300 m and leading edge: >1,300 m above sea level).ResultsWithin the rear edge were found the highest levels of inbreeding, genetic differentiation and evidence of interrupted gene flow compared to central or colonizing areas. Within the leading edge, altitudinal range expansion occurred over the last centuries and populations showed relatively low genetic diversity. These demographic and genetic trends were better explained by inhospitable (warm and dry) climate conditions and forest cover.Main conclusionsThis empirical evidence illustrates that molecular footprints of climate conditions and habitat quality on wild population trends can be perceived after recent events, which should be of particular importance to accurately understand and anticipate human‐induced global change on wild species and ecosystems.
Highlights
Biodiversity is facing a global loss of habitats resulting in altered species and biotic interactions worldwide (Ceballos et al, 2017; Plotnick et al, 2016; Wiens, 2016)
2005; Nadeau & Urban, 2019; Vilà-Cabrera et al, 2019; Waters et al, 2013). Studies have challenged these general assumptions since genetic diversity does not necessarily correlate with biogeography (Eckert et al, 2008; Pironon et al, 2017) nor does it explain population decline (Tobler et al, 2013). This prompts for empirically testing patterns of genetic variation and phylogenetic history along colonization gradients to better understand how population genetic diversity or structure correlate with range shifts of wild populations
Genetic diversity was relatively high amongst lizards or across populations in the geographic area and reasonably follows the theoretical predictions of the rear-leading edges model of population genetic diversity and structure (Hampe et al, 2013; Hampe & Petit, 2005)
Summary
Biodiversity is facing a global loss of habitats resulting in altered species and biotic interactions worldwide (Ceballos et al, 2017; Plotnick et al, 2016; Wiens, 2016). 2005; Nadeau & Urban, 2019; Vilà-Cabrera et al, 2019; Waters et al, 2013) Studies have challenged these general assumptions since genetic diversity does not necessarily correlate with biogeography (Eckert et al, 2008; Pironon et al, 2017) nor does it explain population decline (Tobler et al, 2013). This prompts for empirically testing patterns of genetic variation and phylogenetic history along colonization gradients to better understand how population genetic diversity or structure correlate with range shifts of wild populations
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