Wild snapdragon plant pedigree sheds light on limited connectivity enhanced by higher migrant reproductive success in a fragmented landscape

Abstract

Background: In contrast with historical knowledge, a recent view posits that a non-negligible proportion of populations might respond positively to habitat fragmentation. Populations might thrive in a fragmented landscape if functional connectivity, i.e., the net flow of individuals or their genes moving among suitable habitat patches, is not restricted. Alternatively, functional connectivity might be typically limited but enhanced by a higher reproductive success of migrants. Methods: We tested for this hypothesis in wild snapdragon plants inhabiting six patches separated by seawater in a fragmented Mediterranean scrubland landscape. We reconstructed their pedigree by using a parentage assignment method based on microsatellite genetic markers. We then estimated functional connectivity and the reproductive success of plants resulting from between-patch dispersal events. Results: We found that wild snapdragon plants thrived in this fragmented landscape, although functional connectivity between habitat patches was weak (i.e. 2.9%). The progeny resulting from between-patch dispersal events had a higher reproductive success than residents. Conclusion: Our findings expose a remarkable aspect of fragmented landscapes, where weak functional connectivity was enhanced by higher reproductive success after migration. This process might have the potential to compensate at least partly the negative impact of fragmentation.