Estimating the Population Size and Genetic Diversity of Amur Tigers in Northeast China

Over the past century, the endangered Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) has experienced a severe contraction in demography and geographic range because of habitat loss, poaching, and prey depletion. In its historical home in Northeast China, there appears to be a single tiger population that includes tigers in Southwest Primorye and Northeast China; however, the current demographic status of this population is uncertain. Information on the abundance, distribution and genetic diversity of this population for assessing the efficacy of conservation interventions are scarce. We used noninvasive genetic detection data from scats, capture-recapture models and an accumulation curve method to estimate the abundance of Amur tigers in Northeast China. We identified 11 individual tigers (6 females and 5 males) using 10 microsatellite loci in three nature reserves between April 2013 and May 2015. These tigers are confined primarily to a Hunchun Nature Reserve along the border with Russia, with an estimated population abundance of 9–11 tigers during the winter of 2014–2015. They showed a low level of genetic diversity. The mean number of alleles per locus was 2.60 and expected and observed heterozygosity were 0.42 and 0.49, respectively. We also documented long-distance dispersal (~270 km) of a male Amur tiger to Huangnihe Nature Reserve from the border, suggesting that the expansion of neighboring Russian populations may eventually help sustain Chinese populations. However, the small and isolated population recorded by this study demonstrate that there is an urgent need for more intensive regional management to create a tiger-permeable landscape and increased genetic connectivity with other populations.     

Effects of environmental and anthropogenic drivers on Amur tiger distribution in northeastern China

We examined environmental and anthropogenic factors drive range loss in large mammals, using presence data of Amur tigers opportunistically collected between 2000 and 2012, and anthropogenic and environmental variables to model the distribution of the Amur tiger in northeastern China. Our results suggested that population distribution models of different subregions showed different habitat factors determining tiger population distribution patterns. Where farmland cover was over 50 km² per pixel (196 km²), distance was within 15 km to the railway in Changbaishan and road density (length per pixel) increased in Wandashan, the relative probability of Amur tiger occurrence exhibited monotonic avoidance responses; however, where distance was within 150 km of the Sino-Russia border, the occurrence probability of Amur tiger was relatively high. We analyzed the avoidance or preference responses of Amur tiger distribution to elevation, snow depth and Viewshed. Furthermore, different subregional models detected a variety of spatial autocorrelation distances due to different population clustering patterns. We found that spatial models significantly improved model fits for non-spatial models and made more robust habitat suitability predications than that of non-spatial models. Consequently, these findings provide useful guidance for habitat conservation and management.     

Multiple-scaled spatial genetic structures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fraxinus mandshurica</Emphasis> over a riparian–mountain landscape in Northeast China

Landscape genetics increasingly focuses on the way in which landscape features cause the fragmentation of lineages of terrestrial organisms. However, landscape features can also provide functional connectivity or corridors, enhancing the dispersal of plant populations, particularly the case in riparian habitat. Unfortunately, recent research in tree genetics has paid little attention to this role. To examine the possible effects of landscape connectivity on the current population genetic distribution of Fraxinus mandshurica and to provide insights into conserving the local genetic diversity for this endangered tree species, we used nine nuclear microsatellite loci to examine the spatial genetic structure of F. mandshurica at multiple-scales over a riparian–mountain landscape in Northeast China. F-statistics indicated that the magnitude of among-population genetic differentiation was significantly higher between the riparian and mountain habitats than within the riparian habitat. Spatial analysis of molecular variance and principal coordinate analysis consistently revealed that this species exhibited a clear landscape genetic structure between the riparian and mountain habitats, despite no significant isolation by distance pattern being identified by the Mantel test. Spatial autocorrelation analysis further demonstrated significant, positive fine-scale spatial genetic structure among individuals over short distances (<80 m) in each mountain population. Conversely, no spatial genetic structures were identified within and among the riparian populations. Overall, the results suggest that seed dispersal is very low among mountain populations; however seed transport is probably enhanced by a secondary phase of hydrochory (water-dispersal) among riparian populations during flooding. Despite this, there was no significant accumulation of genetic diversity in downstream populations along the main channel. This result suggests that hydrochory is not sufficient to produce a clear unidirectional gene flow along the water course, although it may impede the development of spatial genetic structuring within and among riparian populations.     

Dispersal ability and habitat requirements determine landscape‐level genetic patterns in desert aquatic insects

Species occupying the same geographic range can exhibit remarkably different population structures across the landscape, ranging from highly diversified to panmictic. Given limitations on collecting population‐level data for large numbers of species, ecologists seek to identify proximate organismal traits—such as dispersal ability, habitat preference and life history—that are strong predictors of realized population structure. We examined how dispersal ability and habitat structure affect the regional balance of gene flow and genetic drift within three aquatic insects that represent the range of dispersal abilities and habitat requirements observed in desert stream insect communities. For each species, we tested for linear relationships between genetic distances and geographic distances using Euclidean and landscape‐based metrics of resistance. We found that the moderate‐disperser Mesocapnia arizonensis (Plecoptera: Capniidae) has a strong isolation‐by‐distance pattern, suggesting migration–drift equilibrium. By contrast, population structure in the flightless Abedus herberti (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) is influenced by genetic drift, while gene flow is the dominant force in the strong‐flying Boreonectes aequinoctialis (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae). The best‐fitting landscape model for M. arizonensis was based on Euclidean distance. Analyses also identified a strong spatial scale‐dependence, where landscape genetic methods only performed well for species that were intermediate in dispersal ability. Our results highlight the fact that when either gene flow or genetic drift dominates in shaping population structure, no detectable relationship between genetic and geographic distances is expected at certain spatial scales. This study provides insight into how gene flow and drift interact at the regional scale for these insects as well as the organisms that share similar habitats and dispersal abilities.     

黑龙江省野生东北虎调查管理信息系统的构建

文章以黑龙江省野生东北虎（Panthera tigris altaica）野外调查数据为基础,利用地理信息系统技术、计算机技术与野生动物资源调查管理技术,构建了黑龙江省野生东北虎调查管理信息系统。主要运用面向对象程序设计语言C#和ArcGIS Engine嵌入式组件技术以及SQL Server数据库技术,设计并构建东北虎调查管理系统,实现了对野生东北虎调查数据的图形可视化操作管理。同时,结合研究区域内的自然因素和人文因素对调查资源进行动态的空间分析,及时准确地反映出东北虎的种群数量和空间变化规律,并制作出相应的分类专题图及野外分布信息统计图表等。该管理信息系统将有助于野生东北虎种群及栖息地调查数据与资料的科学管理,对于推动我国野生东北虎就地保护和科学管理具有重要意义。     

Fine-scale genetic structure of a long-lived reptile reflects recent habitat modification

Anthropogenic habitat fragmentation — ubiquitous in modern ecosystems — has strong impacts on gene flow and genetic population structure. Reptiles may be particularly susceptible to the effects of fragmentation because of their extreme sensitivity to environmental conditions and limited dispersal. We investigate fine-scale spatial genetic structure, individual relatedness, and sex-biased dispersal in a large population of a long-lived reptile (tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus) on a recently fragmented island. We genotyped individuals from remnant forest, regenerating forest, and grassland pasture sites at seven microsatellite loci and found significant genetic structuring (R_ST = 0.012) across small distances (< 500 m). Isolation by distance was not evident, but rather, genetic distance was weakly correlated with habitat similarity. Only individuals in forest fragments were correctly assignable to their site of origin, and individual pairwise relatedness in one fragment was significantly higher than expected. We did not detect sex-biased dispersal, but natural dispersal patterns may be confounded by fragmentation. Assignment tests showed that reforestation appears to have provided refuges for tuatara from disturbed areas. Our results suggest that fine-scale genetic structuring is driven by recent habitat modification and compounded by the sedentary lifestyle of these long-lived reptiles. Extreme longevity, large population size, simple social structure and random dispersal are not strong enough to counteract the genetic structure caused by a sedentary lifestyle. We suspect that fine-scale spatial genetic structuring could occur in any sedentary species with limited dispersal, making them more susceptible to the effects of fragmentation.     

中国东北虎栖息地分析与潜在生态廊道构建

东北虎（Panthera tigris altaica）是现存5个虎亚种中体型最大者,其作为全球生物多样性保护的旗舰物种,在维持健康生态系统功能中占据不可替代的重要地位。近几十年来,由于东北虎栖息地受到人类活动强烈干扰,致使栖息地破碎化,主要栖息地孤立分布,呈现岛状,天然生态廊道消失殆尽,东北虎的保护面临巨大挑战。因此,确定东北虎关键栖息地,构建与恢复东北虎栖息地之间的生态廊道十分必要。本研究运用专家模型结合东北虎栖息地选择规律和栖息地特征,综合分析植被类型、国家级与省级自然保护区分布、地形因子以及人为干扰因子共7个主要影响因子;通过层次分析法(AHP)获得各影响因子的相对权重值,运用加权线性方程获得了东北虎潜在适宜栖息地,并确定了东北虎核心分布区以及分布区间的综合代价值。通过廊道设计模型（Linkage mapper）得到东北虎核心栖息地间的潜在生态廊道。结果得到了21条东北虎潜在生态廊道,对打通国内零星分布区,特别是张广才岭-完达山-老爷岭之间的迁移通道、扩大东北虎生存空间具有现实指导意义。     

Streams over mountains: influence of riparian connectivity on gene flow in the Pacific jumping mouse (Zapus trinotatus)

In species affiliated with heterogeneous habitat, we expect gene flow to be restricted due to constraints placed on individual movement by habitat boundaries. This is likely to impact both individual dispersal and connectivity between populations. In this study, a GIS-based landscape genetics approach was used, in combination with fine-scale spatial autocorrelation analysis and the estimation of recent intersubpopulation migration rates, to infer patterns of dispersal and migration in the riparian-affiliated Pacific jumping mouse (Zapus trinotatus). A total of 228 individuals were sampled from nine subpopulations across a system of three rivers and genotyped at eight microsatellite loci. Significant spatial autocorrelation among individuals revealed a pattern of fine-scale spatial genetic structure indicative of limited dispersal. Geographical distances between pairwise subpopulations were defined following four criteria: (i) Euclidean distance, and three landscape-specific distances, (ii) river distance (distance travelled along the river only), (iii) overland distance (similar to Euclidean, but includes elevation), and (iv) habitat-path distance (a least-cost path distance that models movement along habitat pathways). Pairwise Mantel tests were used to test for a correlation between genetic distance and each of the geographical distances. Significant correlations were found between genetic distance and both the overland and habitat-path distances; however, the correlation with habitat-path distance was stronger. Lastly, estimates of recent migration rates revealed that migration occurs not only within drainages but also across large topographic barriers. These results suggest that patterns of dispersal and migration in Pacific jumping mice are largely determined by habitat connectivity.     

基于MaxEnt模型的小兴安岭东北虎潜在生境适宜性评价

小兴安岭是东北虎的历史分布区之一,近年来东北虎数次重返小兴安岭,预示了小兴安岭东北虎种群恢复的可能性。为了探明小兴安岭作为东北虎栖息地的适宜程度,本文以我国小兴安岭及俄罗斯联邦阿穆尔州、犹太自治州为整体研究区域,利用该区域内东北虎出现点数据,采用Maxent模型,以植被、气候、地形、积雪4类环境数据为基础,分析自然环境条件下小兴安岭东北虎潜在生境的适宜性及空间分布。结果显示：小兴安岭东北虎潜在适宜生境面积为0.96×10⁴~1.03 ×10⁴ km²,主要位于小兴安岭北部和东部,中部、西部和东南部有少量分散适宜生境;次适宜生境面积为2.46×10⁴~1.76 ×10⁴ km²,主要位于适宜生境周边区域;叶灌层差异、蒸散量、归一化植被指数、叶面积指数等植被相关因素及降水季节性、最冷季降水量等气候因素是影响东北虎栖息地适宜程度的主要环境特征变量。小兴安岭仍具备东北虎种群生存的自然条件。     

Spatial genetic structure and dispersal of giant pandas on a mountain-range scale

Understanding the spatial genetic structure of populations can provide insight into the ecological or evolutionary processes of the species, and enable wise conservation decisions. We examined the spatial genetic structure of a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) population in a heterogeneous mountainous landscape using noninvasive genetic sampling and 12 microsatellite loci. Nonrandom genetic structure was detected through spatial autocorrelation analysis, demonstrating a significantly positive autocorrelation over closer distances. Additional spatial analyses showed significantly positive genetic correlation among spatially-proximate males, and no correlation among females and among male–female pairs. These findings suggest a female-biased dispersal pattern and cryptic family grouping among giant pandas on a large mountain-range scale. The spatial extent of genetic structure occurred within 12.5 km, measured by a least-cost path distance model integrating information of habitat quality and habitat preferences of this species. Using the bearing analysis of PASSAGE, we found that directional genetic autocorrelations were in agreement with habitat structure, and habitat heterogeneity may affect the direction of giant panda dispersal. The characterization of spatial genetic structure can provide potentially valuable information for the conservation and management of giant pandas and their habitat.     

东北虎分布区土地利用格局与动态

土地利用变化是影响东北虎栖息地和东北虎长期生存的关键因素之一.基于东北虎分布区土地利用和土地覆盖的时空变化及其对东北虎种群动态的影响,本文从古代(1860年以前)、近代（1860—1949年）和现代（1949年至今）3个不同的历史时期,系统地分析了东北虎分布区最主要土地利用类型（农业用地、森林、城镇）的发展历程和特征.古代东北虎分布区内零星的人为土地利用对东北虎的生存没有显著影响,而近代以来广泛、剧烈的土地利用变化则是导致东北虎生存空间压缩、种群数量减少的主要原因之一.近代以来,东北虎分布区分属中国和俄罗斯,两国土地利用格局、政策和强度的不同导致东北虎在两国生存状况的差异.东北虎分布区内土地利用的主要驱动力为人口增长、政策变化和生产力的发展.     

Connectivity and gene flow among Eastern Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) populations in highly modified anthropogenic landscapes

Fragmented landscapes resulting from anthropogenic habitat modification can have significant impacts on dispersal, gene flow, and persistence of wildlife populations. Therefore, quantifying population connectivity across a mosaic of habitats in highly modified landscapes is critical for the development of conservation management plans for threatened populations. Endangered populations of the eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) in New York and New Jersey are at the northern edge of the species’ range and remaining populations persist in highly developed landscapes in both states. We used landscape genetic approaches to examine regional genetic population structure and potential barriers to migration among remaining populations. Despite the post-glacial demographic processes that have shaped genetic diversity in tiger salamander populations at the northern extent of their range, we found that populations in each state belong to distinct genetic clusters, consistent with the large geographic distance that separates them. We detected overall low genetic diversity and high relatedness within populations, likely due to recent range expansion, isolation, and relatively small population sizes. Nonetheless, landscape connectivity analyses reveal habitat corridors among remaining breeding ponds. Furthermore, molecular estimates of population connectivity among ponds indicate that gene flow still occurs at regional scales. Further fragmentation of remaining habitat will potentially restrict dispersal among breeding ponds, cause the erosion of genetic diversity, and exacerbate already high levels of inbreeding. We recommend the continued management and maintenance of habitat corridors to ensure long-term viability of these endangered populations.     

Estimation of dispersal distances of the obligately plant‐associated ant Crematogaster decamera

1. In obligate symbioses with horizontal transmission, the population dynamics of the partner organisms are highly interdependent. Host population size limits symbiont number, and distribution of partners is restricted by the presence and thus dispersal abilities of their respective partner. The Crematogaster decamera–Macaranga hypoleuca ant–plant symbiosis is obligate for both partners. Host survival depends on colonisation by its ant partner while foundress queens require hosts for colony establishment. 2. An experimental approach and population genetic analyses were combined to estimate dispersal distances of foundresses in their natural habitat in a Bornean primary rainforest. 3. Colonisation frequency was significantly negatively correlated with distance to potential reproductive colonies. Results were similar for seedlings at natural densities as well as for seedlings brought out in the area experimentally. Population genetic analysis revealed significant population differentiation with an F_ST of 0.041 among foundresses (n = 157) located at maximum 2280 m apart. In genetic spatial autocorrelation, genotypes of foundresses were significantly more similar than expected at random below 550 m and less similar above 620 m. Direct estimation of dispersal distances by pedigree analysis yielded an average dispersal distance of 468 m (maximum 1103 m). 4. For ants that disperse on the wing, genetic differentiation at such small spatial scales is unusual. The specific nesting requirements of the queens and the necessity for queens to find a host quickly could lead to colonisation of the first suitable seedling encountered, promoting short dispersal distances. Nonetheless, dispersal distances of C. decamera queens may vary with habitat or host spatial distribution.     

基于东北虎潜在栖息地保护的自然保护地整合

东北虎(Panthera tigris altaica)是我国国家一级重点保护野生动物,现主要分布在张广才岭、老爷岭和完达山等地的几个自然保护区内。在这些自然保护区周边还分布有大量的森林公园、风景名胜区、湿地公园等不同类型的自然保护地,这些自然保护地在一定程度上也可为东北虎提供栖息场所,但管理目标、管理体制等原因造成了人为的范围隔离、空间重叠等各种乱象。为响应我国建立以国家公园为主体的自然保护地体系,为东北虎豹国家公园建设提供支撑,本文基于44个东北虎分布点信息和11个相关环境因子,利用MaxEnt模型对东北虎的潜在栖息地进行了预测。基于东北虎栖息地范围内的国家级自然保护区、国家森林公园,国家湿地公园等自然保护地与东北虎栖息地的适宜性等级分布格局,利用成本距离法对东北虎栖息地范围内的自然保护地进行了整合研究。结果发现:(1)东北虎在我国的潜在适宜分布区主要集中在穆棱市、珲春市、敦化市、宁安市、延吉市、海林市、东宁县、汪清县、饶河县、宝清县,共约10000 km2,占黑龙江、吉林二省总面积的1.5%;(2)东北虎潜在扩散区共约51000 km2,占黑龙江、吉林二省总面积的8%;(3)以成本距离图中等值线值为0.5作为边界,将30个自然保护区及周边47个其他类型的自然保护地划分为9个自然保护地群,总面积为77818.7 km2,以供未来东北虎的保护和自然保护地整合中参考。     

Local and regional founder effects in lake zooplankton persist after thousands of years despite high dispersal potential

We reconstructed the genetic structure of a planktonic crustacean Daphnia longispina living in high mountain lakes and ponds in the Pyrenees to investigate whether it was shaped by persistent founder effects originating shortly after the last glacial maximum or by ongoing dispersal and effective migration (gene flow). We found that the genetic structure can largely be explained by a single colonization event following gradual deglaciation of the Pyrenees ~10 000–15 000 years ago. Nuclear genetic diversity declined steeply from southeast to northwest, suggestive of serial colonization of available habitats with advancing deglaciation. The spatial genetic structure suggests that founder effects were major determinants of the present‐day diversity, both at the catchment level and at the level of individual water bodies, further supporting extremely low effective migration rates. This study reveals a prime example of a founder effect that is both long lasting and maintained at small spatial scales. Our data suggest a process of isolation by colonization as a result of strong priority effects and monopolization. We found evidence for the spread of haplotypes with Pyrenean ancestry across the Palaearctic over distances up to 5500 km, although the local genetic structure after colonization was hardly influenced by contemporary dispersal. Finally, our data also suggest that mitochondrial mutation rates in the studied populations were seven times higher than typically assumed. Overall, we show that founder effects can persist for centuries even at small spatial scales at which the potential for dispersal is high.     

Adult and hatch-year blackpoll warblers exhibit radically different regional-scale movements during post-fledging dispersal

Using a broad-scale automated telemetry array, we explored post-fledging movements of blackpoll warblers breeding in Atlantic Canada. We sought to determine the full spatial scale of post-fledging dispersal, to assess support for three hypotheses for regional-scale post-fledging movement, and to determine whether learning influenced movement during this period. We demonstrated that both young and adults moved over distances more than 200 km prior to initiating migration. Adults moved southwest, crossing the Gulf of Maine (GOM), consistent with the commencement of migration hypothesis. Hatch-year birds exhibited less directional movements constrained geographically by the GOM. Their movements were most consistent with exploration hypotheses—that young birds develop a regional-scale map to aid in habitat selection, natal dispersal and subsequent migrations.     

Noninvasive genetic sampling allows estimation of capercaillie numbers and population structure in the Bohemian Forest

Wildlife conservation and management of endangered species requires reliable information on the size and structure of populations. One of the flagship species in European wildlife conservation is the forest-dwelling capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), where several populations are endangered. In the Bohemian Forest, e.g., the population severely declined 30 years ago with only 100 birds remaining in 1985. Subsequently, breeding and release programs were conducted to supplement the local population. The current distribution and population size, however, remained unknown. With recent habitat changes and increasing recreational activities, a reliable population estimate to inform conservation plans was needed. A team of scientists and volunteers collected fresh capercaillie droppings covering an area of about 120,000 ha. We genotyped ten microsatellite loci to estimate the current population size and to determine the population’s spatial and genetic structure. Population size and density estimators revealed a population size of approximately 500 individuals, which is thus one of the two largest relict populations in the low mountain ranges of temperate Europe. The population clustering revealed gene flow across the entire study area. Several genotypes were documented with multiple recaptures at spatial distances between 10 and 30 km additionally corroborating gene flow across the entire landscape of the study area. Males were more closely related than females on small spatial scales up to 3 km, indicating lower dispersal rates in males. We conclude that the population currently appears to have a viable size and shows unrestricted gene flow across state borders and management units of the entire Bohemian Forest. However, long-term viability of this population requires a transboundary strategy to sustainably protect and monitor this isolated capercaillie population in Central Europe.     

国家公园生态系统完整性的内涵及评价框架: 以东北虎豹国家公园为例

保护自然生态系统的完整性是我国建立国家公园的主要目标之一, 《国家公园设立规范》(GB/T 39737-2021)已将生态系统完整性作为国家公园的准入条件生态重要性的认定指标之一, 但目前对国家公园生态系统完整性的内涵还没有统一定义, 并缺乏具体的评价体系。本文在国内外相关研究的基础上, 结合我国国家公园体制试点成果及第一批国家公园设立实践, 提出了国家公园生态系统完整性的基本内涵及评价指标体系, 以期为今后设立国家公园时划定边界范围或评估国家公园管理成效提供理论依据。作者提出, 应从生态系统结构和过程完整性、功能完整性、空间格局完整性3个维度对我国国家公园生态系统完整性进行综合评价。以东北虎豹国家公园为例, 体制试点以来, 东北虎(Panthera tigris altaica)和东北豹(P. pardus orientalis)等顶级食肉动物的食物链相对完整, 虎、豹野生种群从俄罗斯进入、定居、繁衍、扩散的路径清晰, 种群稳定增长、栖息地质量持续改善, 生物多样性日益丰富, 国家公园正式设立范围划定时充分考虑了生态系统完整性保护, 生态系统完整性评级为优秀, 为国家公园可持续发展奠定了良好基础。     

Spatial scale affects landscape genetic analysis of a wetland grasshopper

Most landscape genetic studies assess the impact of landscape elements on species' dispersal and gene flow. Many of these studies perform their analysis on all possible population pairs in a study area and do not explicitly consider the effects of spatial scale and population network topology on their results. Here, we examined the effects of spatial scale and population network topology on the outcome of a landscape genetic analysis. Additionally, we tested whether the relevant spatial scale of landscape genetic analysis could be defined by population network topology or by isolation‐by‐distance (IBD) patterns. A data set of the wetland grasshopper Stethophyma grossum, collected in a fragmented agricultural landscape, was used to analyse population network topology, IBD patterns and dispersal habitats, using least‐cost transect analysis. Landscape genetic analyses neglecting spatial scale and population network topology resulted in models with low fits, with which a most likely dispersal habitat could not be identified. In contrast, analyses considering spatial scale and population network topology resulted in high model fits by restricting landscape genetic analysis to smaller scales (0–3 km) and neighbouring populations, as represented by a Gabriel graph. These models also successfully identified a likely dispersal habitat of S. grossum. The above results suggest that spatial scale and potentially population network topology should be more explicitly considered in future landscape genetic analyses.     

Variation in fine‐scale genetic structure and local dispersal patterns between peripheral populations of a South American passerine bird

The distribution of suitable habitat influences natal and breeding dispersal at small spatial scales, resulting in strong microgeographic genetic structure. Although environmental variation can promote interpopulation differences in dispersal behavior and local spatial patterns, the effects of distinct ecological conditions on within‐species variation in dispersal strategies and in fine‐scale genetic structure remain poorly understood. We studied local dispersal and fine‐scale genetic structure in the thorn‐tailed rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda), a South American bird that breeds along a wide latitudinal gradient. We combine capture‐mark‐recapture data from eight breeding seasons and molecular genetics to compare two peripheral populations with contrasting environments in Chile: Navarino Island, a continuous and low density habitat, and Fray Jorge National Park, a fragmented, densely populated and more stressful environment. Natal dispersal showed no sex bias in Navarino but was female‐biased in the more dense population in Fray Jorge. In the latter, male movements were restricted, and some birds seemed to skip breeding in their first year, suggesting habitat saturation. Breeding dispersal was limited in both populations, with males being more philopatric than females. Spatial genetic autocorrelation analyzes using 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci confirmed the observed dispersal patterns: a fine‐scale genetic structure was only detectable for males in Fray Jorge for distances up to 450 m. Furthermore, two‐dimensional autocorrelation analyzes and estimates of genetic relatedness indicated that related males tended to be spatially clustered in this population. Our study shows evidence for context‐dependent variation in natal dispersal and corresponding local genetic structure in peripheral populations of this bird. It seems likely that the costs of dispersal are higher in the fragmented and higher density environment in Fray Jorge, particularly for males. The observed differences in microgeographic genetic structure for rayaditos might reflect the genetic consequences of population‐specific responses to contrasting environmental pressures near the range limits of its distribution.