Integration of genetic structure into conservation of an endangered, endemic lizard, Ceratophora aspera: A case study from Sri Lanka

Abstract

AbstractSri Lanka is a biodiversity hotspot within the Indo‐Malayan Biogeographic region. The lowland and montane rainforest ecoregions contain high proportions of endemic species whose populations are experiencing increasing levels of isolation and fragmentation due to habitat destruction. One of these threatened species, the rough‐nosed horned lizard (Ceratophora aspera), is distributed across the lowland rainforests of Southwestern Sri Lanka, making it a well‐suited species to understand the consequences of rainforest fragmentation on population genetic structure. We used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data to characterize genetic diversity and population structure of C. aspera across the Southwestern rainforests of Sri Lanka. Population structure and phylogenetic analyses supported the separation of populations into four forest groups that show a pattern of isolation by distance. We propose recommendations for the conservation of C. aspera that consider genetic variation, biogeographic history, and natural history. This project underscores the necessity of using holistic approaches to make well‐informed decisions for conservation of forest specialist species, especially during forest landscape restoration.