Modeling environmentally associated morphological and genetic variation in a rainforest bird, and its application to conservation prioritization.

Henri A Thomassen,Borja Milá,Wolfgang Buermann,Christopher J Schneider,Thomas B Smith,Susan E Cameron,Catherine H Graham,Robert K Wayne,Sassan Saatchi,John P Pollinger

doi:10.1111/j.1752-4571.2009.00093.x

Abstract

To better understand how environment shapes phenotypic and genetic variation, we explore the relationship between environmental variables across Ecuador and genetic and morphological variation in the wedge-billed woodcreeper (Glyphorynchus spirurus), a common Neotropical rainforest bird species. Generalized dissimilarity models show that variation in amplified fragment length polymorphism markers was strongly associated with environmental variables on both sides of the Andes, but could also partially be explained by geographic distance on the western side of the Andes. Tarsus, wing, tail, and bill lengths and bill depth were well explained by environmental variables on the western side of the Andes, whereas only tarsus length was well explained on the eastern side. Regions that comprise the highest rates of genetic and phenotypic change occur along steep elevation gradients in the Andes. Such environmental gradients are likely to be particularly important for maximizing adaptive diversity to minimize the impacts of climate change. Using a framework for conservation prioritization based on preserving ecological and evolutionary processes, we found little overlap between currently protected areas in Ecuador and regions we predicted to be important in maximizing adaptive variation.

Highlights

There is growing evidence that detailed environmental information is important in understanding variation and diversification in natural populations (e.g. Coyne and Orr 2004; McKinnon et al 2004; Rundle and Nosil 2005)
To better understand how environment shapes phenotypic and genetic variation, we explore the relationship between environmental variables across Ecuador and genetic and morphological variation in the wedge-billed woodcreeper (Glyphorynchus spirurus), a common Neotropical rainforest bird species
Genetic variation The full generalized dissimilarity modeling (GDM) model of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) variation across the entire study region explained 95.2% of the total observed variation

Summary

Introduction

There is growing evidence that detailed environmental information is important in understanding variation and diversification in natural populations (e.g. Coyne and Orr 2004; McKinnon et al 2004; Rundle and Nosil 2005). There is growing evidence that detailed environmental information is important in understanding variation and diversification in natural populations Few studies have a 2009 The Authors Journal compilation a 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd 3 (2010) 1–16 generated detailed maps of biological variation across landscapes using high resolution environmental data, while taking into account the influence of geographic distance. The simultaneous analysis of many environmental variables allows one to assess which variables are most important in explaining observed biological variation, and is facilitative in identifying traits that are potentially under selection. Taking into account both geographic distance and environmental variation allows one to better understand the factors resulting in diversification.

Methods

Results

Conclusion