Mahalanobis D2 Statistics Research Articles

Genetic diversity analysis for high temperature stress tolerance in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br

The present study was conducted to evaluate the genetic divergence among thirty-eight elite pearl millet genotypes using Mahalanobis D2 statistics for thirteen different agronomic, morphological and thermotolerance traits, under rain-fed condition. Analysis of variance indicated considerable diversity among genotypes showing significant variability for all the characters including thermo-tolerance. D2-clustering grouped the genotypes into 3 clusters, in which leaf sheath length (11.95 %), leaf blade length (11.61 %), leaf blade width (9.48 %) and MSI (9.33 %) contributed significantly for the genetic divergence observed among genotypes. Cluster II was characterised with genotypes having higher values of MSI and other leaf characters which got associated with higher yield and yield contributing characters. Screening genotype for seedling thermo-tolerance suggested, 841B as most tolerant (MSI = 71.2 %) and PPMI 69 as most susceptible genotype (MSI = 52.5 %). Maximum inter cluster distance was observed between clusters II and III (4.132), while maximum intra cluster distance was observed in group III (3.079). The pattern of distribution of genotypes belonging to same eco-geographical areas was random, which indicated that there was no association between genetic diversity and eco-geographical distribution of genotypes. The clustering of genotypes will help to identify divergent genetic material for obtaining highly heterotic pearl millet hybrid with thermo tolerance through hybridisation.

Genetic Diversity in Sadajira Rice (<i>Oryza sativa</i> L.) Germplasm

Genetic diversity of 40 traditional Bangladeshi rice genotypes was studied under rainfed condition through Mahalanobis D2 statistic for grain yield and yield contributing characters. The genotypes were grouped into six clusters. The inter-cluster distances were higher than intra-cluster distances indicating wider genetic diversity among the genotypes of different clusters. The intra-cluster distances were lower in all the cases reflecting homogeneity of the genotypes within the clusters. The cluster VI contained the highest number of genotypes (18) and the clusters I and II contained the lowest (1). The highest intra-cluster distance was noticed for the cluster IV and lowest for cluster VI. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster I and IV, followed by cluster I and II, cluster I and III and the lowest between cluster III and IV. Regarding inter-cluster distance, the genotypes of cluster IV showed high genetic distance from all other clusters. The genotypes from cluster IV could be hybridized with the genotypes of other clusters for producing transgressive segregants. Based on canonical vector analysis, panicle number per plant and 1000 grain weight had maximum contribution towards genetic divergence. The highest cluster means for yield, filled grains panicle-1 and grain breadth were obtained from cluster VI. The highest means for plant height, flag leaf area, unfilled grains panicle-1, harvest index and the lowest growth duration were found in cluster I, while the lowest mean value for yield, grain length, 1000 grain weight, plant height and highest mean value for days to flowering and maturity were found in cluster II. The crosses between the genotypes/parents of cluster VI and cluster II, cluster VI and cluster V would exhibit high heterosis as well as higher level of yield potential. Therefore, more emphasis should be given for selection of the genotypes from clusters I, VI and V for future breeding program. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v12i1.19576The Agriculturists 2014; 12(1) 26-32

NATURE OF GENETIC DIVERGENCE AMONG SOME COTTON GENOTYPES

Inherent divergence and parenthood of germplasm could play an important role in genetic improvement of cotton. The present investigation was conducted to assess the genetic divergence among fourteen locally cotton genotypes and six exotic genotypes using multivariate Mahalanobis D2 statistics and metroglyph analysis. The results showed highly significant differences among these genotypes for all the studied quantitative characters. The Mahalanobis D2 statistics showed that the dissimilarity coefficients were significant and highly significant, which ranged from 3.263 to 190.89, indicating highly genetic divergence for these cotton genotypes. Seed cotton yield and fiber strength were account about 83% of total genetic divergence. The metroglyph analysis grouped these genotypes into eight different clusters based on seven quantitative cotton characters. The inter-cluster D2 values ranged from 11.381 to 178.902 between these groups, while, the intra-cluster D2 values ranged from 3.263 to 47.806 within each group. On the basis of this grouping, it was concluded that hybridization between genotypes of different clusters might be expected to give new genetic recombinants for different economic characters. These informations could be utilized for hybridization between distinct genotypes to increase genetic cotton variability.

Variability, character association and diversity analysis of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula roxb.) genotypes of Bangladesh

Sixty genotypes of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula Roxb.) were collected from different locations of Bangladesh and were used to study their variability, character association and genetic diversity. Seventeen traits studied, of these, eight showed high heritability (over 80%). Correlation coefficient study indicated that yield per plant had highly significant positive relationship with the number of fruits per plant (r = 0.874**), average fruit weight (r = 0.707**), vine length at harvest (r = 0.359**) and length of fruit (r = 0.334**). On the other hand, the sex ratio and circumference of fruit exhibited negative association with yield. Path co-efficient analysis showed that number of fruits per plant exhibited the highest positive direct effect (0.7192) on yield followed by average fruit weight (0.4656). Based on Mahalanobis’ D2 statistics, the sixty genotypes were grouped into four different clusters. Clustering pattern revealed that genotypes collected from the same location were grouped into different clusters. The average intercluster distances were always higher than the average intracluster distances suggesting wider genetic diversity among the genotypes within the cluster. Custer-III had the highest intracluster distance (97.9).DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sja.v10i2.18319 SAARC J. Agri., 10(2): 1-10 (2012)

Comparative genetic diversity analysis in chrysanthemum: A pilot study based on morpho-agronomic traits and ISSR markers

Nine quantitative (morpho-agronomic) traits, five qualitative traits and 10 ISSR (inter simple sequence repeat) markers were used to survey genetic diversity in a set of 24 chrysanthemum genotypes. Multivariate analysis was performed on field data using Mahalanobis's D2-statistics, Tochers method of clustering and combined analysis of variance. Analysis of variance revealed considerable differences among the genotypes for all the morphological traits studied. Genotypes namely SKC-83, Ratlam Selection, Gaity and Selection 69 were found to be more diverse in both morphological and molecular analysis. Results suggested that both morphological traits and ISSR marker are highly useful for assessing genetic diversity and parental selection studies in chrysanthemum.

English

Genetic divergence of baobab (Adansonia digitata) in the North East and West of Nigeria was investigated. The seeds collected from 36 populations of Adansonia digitata were thoroughly washed from the pulp, dried and sown in polyethylene pots and arranged in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications in the nursery of Savanna Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, (FRIN), Zaria Station. The leaves of the seedlings were assessed at 16 weeks after sowing (WAS) for nutritional traits such as carbohydrate, crude protein, fat, moisture content, fiber and ash. Highly significant differences were observed in all the traits assessed showing that high variability exists among the populations. Mean separation and comparisons were also consistent with the observed variability in all the traits of the genotypes in the 36 populations. Mahalanobis D² statistic and wards minimum variance grouped the 36 populations into four clusters: I (25), II (3), III (7) and IV (1). Clusters IV and I had the highest inter-clusters value and intra-cluster distance. Clusters II and I had the least values of D2 and OD2 of the inter cluster and intra cluster distance. Furthermore, cluster I had the highest population (25) and cluster IV was observed to be an isolated cluster with only one population and 0 intra-cluster values. Crosses can be made among the genetically divergent populations of baobab to develop genotypes for higher nutritional quality in the leaves as well as withstand both biotic and abiotic stress arising from the environment. Key words: Adansonia digitata, Genetic variability, diversity, populations, and clusters.

Genetic Divergence Analysis in Vegetable cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata</i> subsp. <i>unguiculata</i> [L.]) Genotypes

In order to assess the divergence among 22 cowpea genotypes, mahalanobis D2 statistics was applied. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits. The 22 genotypes were grouped into 6 clusters, where clusters I was the largest, containing eleven genotypes followed by the clusters III (5 genotypes) and cluster II with three genotypes. The inter cluster distance was maximum between cluster III and VI followed by cluster III and V. Based on inter cluster distance and per se performance of genotypes, the entries viz ., VU 1, VU 2, VU6, VU 8 and VU 21 were selected, which could be intercrossed to recover good recombinants and desirable segregants. The pod yield per plant contributed maximum divergence (66.23%) which was followed by pod weight (20.78%) and plant height (8.23%).

Genetic Divergence Analysis in Rice under Irrigated Conditions

The nature and magnitude of genetic divergence were estimated in 134 rice germplasm accessions during kharif 2013 using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. The genotypes were grouped into five clusters based on Euclidean cluster analysis. The pattern of distribution of genotypes into various clusters was random and independent of geographical origin or region of adoption indicating geographical diversity and genetic diversity were not related. Cluster means indicated considerable differences in the mean values of different traits. The genotypes of cluster II and cluster III exhibited high seed yield. The highest intra-cluster distance was observed among the genotypes, in cluster IV (12.19) followed by cluster III (11.03) and cluster V (10.90) indicating existence of wide genetic divergence among genotypes. Number of filled grains/panicle contributed highest towards divergence. The relative divergence of each cluster from other clusters displaced higher order of divergence between cluster IV and V followed by clusters II and V. The hybridization involving genotypes belong to these clusters is expected to give desirable segregants in rice breeding programmes.

GENETIC DIVERGENCE IN ASH GOURD (Benincasa hispida Thunb.)

Genetic divergence among 46 ash gourd genotypes from different origins was investigated to select the parents for hybridization using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. Though the genotypes grouped into seven clusters, the pattern of distribution of the genotypes into different clusters were random indicating that the geographical isolation was not always related to genetic diversity. Characters like fruit weight, fruits per plant, days to first male flower and nodes for first male flower contributed considerably to the total divergence. Maximum inter-cluster distance between cluster III and IV indicating wide genetic divergence between the genotypes of these two clusters (cluster III and IV followed by cluster IV and VII). However, the intra-cluster distances were smaller than inter-cluster distances. Thus, crossing between the genotypes of these two groups (cluster III and IV) would produce high heterotic progeny and may produce new recombinants with desired traits.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpbg.v20i1.17014

Studies on genetic diversity in Snake Gourd (Trichosanthes anguina L.)

Genetic diversity among 50 genotypes was worked out using Mahalanobis D2 statistic. Based on D2 analysis, the genotypes were grouped into four different clusters, where the cluster I possessed higher number (32) of genotypes followed by the cluster II (2), III (15) and IV (1). Clustering pattern revealed that geographical diversity was not associated with genetic diversity that is, genotypes collected from same location were grouped into different clusters. The maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between the clusters III and cluster IV and that of minimum in between the Clusters I and Cluster II. In case of intra-cluster distance, the maximum distance was observed in the cluster III and that of minimum was observed in the cluster IV. Among the nine traits studied, maximum contribution was made by average fruit weight (31.84%) followed by days to first male flower appearance (25.96%), yield per hectare (23.59%) and fruit length (17.31%). Considering cluster mean, the genotypes of cluster I and cluster III could be selected for yield and yield attributing characters. The wider genetic diversity was observed in cluster II, III and IV which indicate the potentiality of this diverse genotype collection for providing basic material for future breeding programmes. Key words: Snake gourd, Trichosanthes anguina L., genetic diversity, cluster, D2 analysis.

GENETIC DIVERSITY IN LOCAL BORO RICE (Oryza sativa L.) GENOTYPES OF BANGLADESH

Genetic diversity in 40 traditional boro rice genotypes was studied under irrigated condition through Mahalanobis D2 statistic for grain yield and yield contributing characters. The genotypes were grouped into five clusters. The inter-cluster distances were higher than intra-cluster distances indicating wider genetic diversity among the clusters. The intra-cluster distances were lower in all the cases reflecting homogeneity of the genotypes within the clusters. The cluster IV contained the highest number of genotypes (22) and the cluster II and V contained the lowest (1). The highest intra-cluster distance was noticed for the cluster III and lowest for cluster II and V. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster II and III followed by cluster II and V, cluster I and II and the lowest between cluster I and IV. Regarding inter-cluster distance, the genotypes of cluster II showed high genetic distance from all other clusters. The genotypes from cluster II could be hybridized with the genotypes of other clusters for producing transgressive segregants. Based on positive value of vector 1 and vector 2, panicle/hill had maximum contribution towards genetic divergence. The highest cluster means for yield, flag leaf length and grain length breadth ratio were obtained from cluster IV. The highest 1000-grain weight, shortest growth duration and grain breadth were found in cluster II while the lowest mean value for yield, flag leaf length, filled grains and 1000 grain weight were found in cluster V. Therefore, more emphasis should be given on cluster II, III and cluster IV for selecting genotypes as parents for crossing with the genotypes of cluster V which would be used to produce new recombinants with desired traits.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpbg.v26i1.19980

Studies On Genetic Divergence In Maize (Zea mays) Inbreds

Genetic divergence in 17 CIMMYT Maize inbred lines including one check were assessed based on some morphological traits and grain yield using Mahalanobis’ D2-statistics. The experiment was carried out in alpha lattice design with two replications at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Ishurdi Pabna during the winter 2010-2011. The genotypes were grouped into four clusters. The cluster II contained the highest number of lines (6), while the cluster I contained only single genotype. The maximum inter-cluster distance was noticed between the cluster I and IV and minimum between cluster I and II. The highest intra-cluster distance was observed in the cluster IV and lowest in cluster I. The genotypes in the cluster III showed better performances having shorter growth duration, short stature, shortest ear height, better shelling percentage and reasonable yielding ability. It is expected that crossing of inbred lines belonging high to medium D2 values may tend to produce high heterosis for yield. Ear aspect had the greatest contribution to the genetic divergence. Days to pollen shedding, silking, maturity, and 1000-grain weight were found to be responsible for primary differentiation. Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 38(1): 71-76, March 2013 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v38i1.15191

Genetic Divergence Studies in Pigeonpea [<i>Cajanus cajan</i> (L.) Millsp.

The nature and extent of genetic diversity were assessed among 23 parents of pigeonpea hybrids employing Mahalanobis D2 statistics. Based on relative magnitude of D2, the genotypes were grouped into five different non-overlapping clusters. Cluster III, having 8 genotypes, emerged with highest number of entries; cluster I, II and V were constituted by four genotypes each while cluster IV, comprising three genotypes, had least number of entries. The highest contribution in manifestation of genetic divergence was exhibited by 100-seed weight followed by pods per plant, days to maturity, harvest index, biological yield per plant, days to 50% flowering and seed yield per plant. The maximum intra-cluster distance was observed for cluster III, followed by cluster IV, cluster I and cluster V. The highest inter-cluster distance was recorded between cluster II and IV followed by cluster I and IV and cluster V and II. The crossing between entries belonging to cluster pairs having large inter-cluster distance and possessing high cluster means for one or other characters to be improved may be recommended for isolating desirable recombinants in the segregating generations in pigeonpea. Considering the mean performance for different characters of genotypes belonging to diverse clusters, the promising genotypes identified were NDA 2, NDA 7-11, IPA 208 and NDA 5-14 of cluster I; NDA 3-3, NDA 98-6, Amar and NDACMS 1-3A of cluster II; NDACMS 1-4A, NDACMS 1-6A and ICP 870 of cluster IV and NDA 96-6, ICP 2155, NDA 8-6 and NDAGC 1010 of cluster V for exploitation as parents in hybridization programme for development of superior pigeonpea hybrid cultivars.

Multivariate analyses in sorghum [Sorghum bicolorL.) moench] for fodder yield and their attributes

Mahalanobis D2 statistics revealed considerable genetic diversity among the 108 genotype of sorghum. The genotypes grouped into 11 clusters. Cluster 1 contains maximum twenty three genotypes, followed by seventeen in cluster II and fourteen in cluster III. The average inter-cluster values were maximum between cluster V and cluster XI (54.42) followed by III and VI (49.29). At intra cluster level maximum value was recorded for cluster IV (22.12), followed by cluster VII (21.39) and cluster III (20.01). Cluster mean revealed that cluster VIII and IX had genotypes with early maturity while cluster XI followed by cluster X and VIII have the higher fodder yield. Cluster XI, X, IIIV and III have genotypes with higher plant height with other yield contributing traits. The green and dry fodder yield contributed enormously (33.25 and 28.80 per cent) to the total variation followed by plant height (13.00 percent) and days to 50 percent flowering (9.21 percent). Thus the considerable degree of divergence existed in the pre cent sorghum material.

Genetic Divergence in Yardlong Bean (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Ssp. Sesquipedalis Verdc.)

Genetic divergence among 13 commercial yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. ssp. sesquipedalis Verdc.) genotypes was investigated to select the parents for hybridization using Mahalanobis D2 statistics. Cluster analysis was used for grouping 13 yardlong bean genotypes. The genotypes fall into four clusters. Cluster III had the maximum (5) and cluster I had the minimum (1) number of genotypes. Cluster III (D2 = 1.439) had highest intra-cluster distance and the lowest in cluster I (D2 = 0.000). The inter-cluster divergence ranged from 4.160 to 15.515 between clusters II and III and clusters I and II, respectively. The characteristics i.e. number of pods per plant, number of pods per cluster, days to first flowering, and vegetable pod yield per plant contributed maximum towards divergence among yardlong bean genotypes. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v41i1.11084 Bangladesh J. Bot. 41(1): 61-69, 2012 (June)

Modeling impacts of climate change on Joshua trees at their southern boundary: How scale impacts predictions

Predicting ecological responses to a changing climate is becoming a critical tool to inform natural resource management efforts. Within Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP), Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) reach their southern-most distribution. Previous research modeling distributional shifts of Joshua trees in response to climate change have been conducted at large regional scales, predicting widespread extirpation of Joshua trees from their current southern and central distribution. Here we employed the Mahalanobis D2 statistic and constructed a finer-scale model of the Joshua tree’s current distribution within and surrounding JTNP, and then assessed their sensitivity to a gradient of climate change scenarios. Local scale analyses may identify local adaptations and climate-change refugia, a result which may not be possible with larger scale analyses. Under the most severe climate scenario we modeled (a 3°C increase in mean July maximum temperature) there was a 90% reduction in their current distribution, nevertheless a refugium of suitable Joshua tree habitat still remained within JTNP. A niche model for juvenile Joshua trees revealed a near match with the boundary of the +1°C shifted adult model providing a level of model validation, consistent with a hypothesis that early levels of climate change may have already had an impact on Joshua tree recruitment. The match of juvenile Joshua trees provides support for the findings of our climate-shifted niche models for the future distribution of this species within JTNP. This analysis represents a more optimistic scenario than previously published models of climate change impacts on Joshua trees.

Genetic studies on divergence and phenotypic characterization of indigenous and exotic indica germplasm lines in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important staple cereal food crop and a source of calories for more than half of the world’s population. Genetic diversity in the world rice germplasm is larger but only small collections have been used in breeding programs since a high genetic similarity is found within germplasms around the world. An investigation was carried out at Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai during kuruvai 2009 with 31 rice germplasm accessions of which 16 accessions were of Indian origin and remaining 15 accessions were exotics with the objective of studying genetic diversity through mahalanobis D2 statistics. Observations recorded were related to Distinctiveness, Uniformity and stability (DUS) test and eleven yield attributing measures. Accessions were grouped into 13 clusters. The cluster I contained highest number of accessions (6) followed by cluster X, XI which had three genotypes each, where cluster XIII had only one accession. The intra cluster distance was highest in cluster X (12.11) followed by cluster XII (12.01). Highest inter cluster distance was noticed between clusters II and X (24.84) followed by clusters X and XIII (20.83), and lowest between clusters V and IX (6.14). Single plant yield contributes to 45.16% and hundred grain weight contributes to 17.20% of the total genetic divergence. Germplasm accessions namely, karthigai samba, Kodai samba, Kapula sanna BH, Yah-Zamit B 56, Vialinica Gust, Kamee No (Japan) and Tepi Dumai may be used as parents to produce highly heterotic and superior transgressive segregants upon hybridization and its conservation may be helpful for the plant breeders to design future breeding programme. Key words: Rice (Oryza sativa L.), germplasm diversity, phenotypic characterization.

Genetic Diversity Studies on Important Panicle Traits in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

An investigation was carried out at Tamilnadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai during Thaladi 2009 with 125 advanced breeding lines of 23 rice cross combinations to study the nature and magnitude of genetic divergence through mahalanobis D2 statistics. Observations were recorded on important panicle traits viz., panicle length, number of filled grains per panicle, panicle exertion and 100 grain weight. The breeding lines were grouped into 42 clusters. The cluster I contained highest number of genotypes (40) followed by cluster II, XXXXI, and XXXXII which had three genotypes each, the remaining 39 clusters had two genotypes each. The intra cluster distance was highest in cluster XXXXII (14.59), followed by cluster XXXXI (14.28) and cluster II (14.12). It was the lowest (0.66) in cluster III. Highest inter cluster distance was noticed between clusters XXXX and XXXV (30.35), followed by clusters XXXX and XXX (30.30), cluster XXXX and XXVIII (30.05) and lowest between clusters XIII and IV (2.04). Hundred grain weight contributes 57.67 per cent and panicle exertion contributes 19.60 per cent to the total genetic divergence. From this study it was concluded that sufficient amount of variability was observed among the breeding lines developed in the crosses viz., ADT 43/ Tapaswini, ADT 46 (R)/ IET 17917, ADT 39/ AD 02202, ADT 39/ Kalinga, ASD 19/ T 317 which may be used as parents to produce highly heterotic and superior transgressive segregants upon hybridization for important panicle traits.

GENETIC DIVERSITY IN RICE (Oryza sativa L.) LANDRACES OF HILLY AREAS IN BANGLADESH

Genetic diversity in 38 traditional local rice genotypes grown as Jhum in the hilly areas was studied under rainfed condition through Mahalanobis D2 statistic for grain yield and yield contributing characters. The genotypes were grouped into five clusters. The inter-cluster distances were higher than intra-cluster distances indicating wider genetic diversity among the clusters. The intra-cluster distances were lower in all the cases reflecting homogeneity of the genotypes within the clusters. The cluster V contained the highest number of genotypes (12) and the cluster I and III contained the lowest (5). The highest intra-cluster distance was noticed for the cluster III and lowest for cluster I. The highest inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster I and III followed by cluster II and III, cluster III and IV and the lowest between cluster II and IV. Regarding inter-cluster distance, the genotypes of cluster III showed high genetic distance from all other clusters. The genotypes from cluster III could be hybridized with the genotypes of other clusters for producing transgressive segregants. Based on positive value of vector 1 and vector 2, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, unfilled grain panicle-1, grain length and grain length breath ratio had maximum contribution towards genetic divergence. The highest cluster means for plant height, filled grains panicle-1 and yield were obtained from cluster III. The highest flag leaf width, days to 50% flowering, unfilled grain panicle-1, grain length, grain breath and grain length breath ratio while the lowest mean value for yield were found in cluster I. The lowest days to 50% flowering and maturity, and highest mean value for 1000-grain weight were found in cluster IV. Therefore, more emphasis should be given on cluster I and cluster III for selecting genotypes as parents for crossing with the genotypes of cluster IV which could produce new recombinants with desired traits.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpbg.v24i2.17003

Identifying habitat linkages to maintain connectivity for corridor dwellers in a fragmented landscape

AbstractAnthropogenic habitat fragmentation typically precedes conservation planning; maintaining remaining linkages among core habitat areas can thus become a key conservation objective. Identifying linkages for dispersal and ensuring those linkages have long‐term protection and management are challenging tasks for wildlife managers. These tasks can be especially daunting for smaller species with low mobility, termed corridor dwellers, which must maintain sustainable populations within corridors. Between May 2007 and June 2009, we collected occurrence locations for a corridor dweller, the Palm Springs pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris bangsii), from museums, previous research, and our own field sampling. We used those data to model their suitable niche space and then identify suitable linkages between proposed conservation areas. We used a partitioned Mahalanobis D2 statistic to create a spatially explicit niche model describing the distribution of a suitable niche space, and we validated the model statistically, with live trapping and with burrowing owl (Athene cunnicularia) diets. Our model identified soil characteristics, topographic ruggedness, and vegetation as variables delimiting Palm Springs pocket mouse habitat; sand content of the soils was an especially important characteristic. Our historic distribution model identified 120,000–90,000 ha as historically potential Palm Springs pocket mouse habitat; roughly 39% of that has been lost to more recent development. Most of the remaining suitable habitat occurred in the northwestern portion of the valley. We modeled habitat within core reserves as well as within proposed linkages between those reserves as having high similarity to known occupied habitats. Live trapping in areas with high (≥0.95) Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) values resulted in captures at 66% of those locations and, along with burrowing owl diets, refined a qualitative model as to what constituted a suitable Palm Springs pocket mouse corridor. While most corridor analyses have focused on mobile species which may traverse corridors in hours, days, or weeks, linkages for corridor dwellers must include habitat for sustaining multi‐generational populations. This requires evaluating whether continuous suitable habitat exists within proposed corridors. Our research demonstrates how niche modeling can provide a landscape‐scale view of the distribution of suitable habitat to evaluate conservation objectives for connectivity. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.