Ecological Niche Conservatism in Doucs (Genus Pygathrix)

The impressive diversity and unique distribution of primate taxa in Southeast Asia creates a region of interesting biogeography and evolutionary history that remains poorly understood. The three species in the Asian colobine genus Pygathrix (P. cinerea, P. nemaeus, and P. nigripes) appear to follow the unique distribution pattern, replacing one another along the north–south axis. However, the evolutionary history and taxonomic status within Pygathrix is currently debated. We constructed climate-based ecological niche models (ENMs) for the three species, using six environmental variables, to confirm that the bioclimate envelopes of Pygathrix cinerea, P. nemaeus, and P. nigripes follow the north–south gradient. We also used the ENMs to test whether the three species lack ecological exchangeability, meaning differentiation among factors that define the fundamental niche, and whether they exhibit ecological niche conservatism, or the tendency for related species to differ less ecologically than might be expected by the climate available to each species. Our ENMs for Pygathrix followed a north–south gradient as expected, with P. nemaeus extending from ca. 14°N to 21°N, P. cinerea from 14°N to 16°N, and P. nigripes from 11°N to 13.5°N. This study presents the first use of ENMs for doucs that yield significant predictive ability based only on climatic variables. The models are significantly different for all three species, supporting a lack of ecological exchangeability between them, as well as the recent elevation of Pygathrix cinerea to species status. Importantly, Pygathrix cinerea and P. nemaeus show evidence of ecological niche conservatism, which lends support to the occurrence of an allopatric speciation event. This result also suggests that the current overlapping distribution of Pygathrix cinerea and P. nemaeus is the result of secondary contact. The north–south distribution gradient, which exists in similar form among other groups of sister taxa in the region, may be attributed to a zoogeographic barrier, vicariance, or current or historical climatic shifts.     

Modelle für den Wandel der Natur

Ecological Modelling – Scenarios of future environmental changes Climate change affects ecosystems at different levels. Changes in species phenology, distribution and interactions are today well described phenomena documenting species responses to increasing temperatures. Environmental niche models (ENMs) have developed as powerful tools to address various questions in macroecology. Aiming at a species environmental niche, statistical modelling can be employed to predict a species' potential occurrence by projecting environmental information recorded at locality records over space and time. In climate change biology, ENMs are used to identify individual species' fates as range expansions or retractions as well as features that affect the structure of species assemblages and species interactions within and across different taxonomic groups. ENMs help to promote the persistence of species by identifying spatial patterns of species richness or endangerment to target conservation priorities. Moreover, they are an essential part of risk assessments to set up preventive measures against non‐native species most likely to adversely impact native ecosystems.     

The importance of defining the geographic distribution of species for conservation: The case of the Bearded Wood-Partridge

Delimitation of the distribution areas of species has fundamental implications for the understanding of biodiversity and for decision-making in conservation. This is illustrated by the case of the Bearded Wood-Partridge (Dendrortyx barbatus), which is endemic to Mexico and was classified as threatened by the IUCN. Recently the discovery of this species in new locations caused an increase in the known distribution area whereupon it was reclassified in a lower risk category. In our study, delimitation and comparison of the Bearded Wood-Partridge distribution area is carried out utilising five different methods: minimum convex polygon; areographic; cartographic; ecological niche modeling; and, “free hand”. A number of locality records are also used to demonstrate the chronological order of appearance. The results show that the size and shape of the distribution area of this species vary depending on the number of records and on their spatial and environmental location, as well as on the particular delimitation method used. However, ecological niche modeling provides the best results in terms of spatial and numerical sensitivity as well as lower values of omission and a moderate extent of predicted areas. We suggest that decisions related to species conservation (categories of risk, areas of endemism, etc.), particularly those species of high geographical restriction, should be contingent on the formalised delimitation of distribution areas based on ecological niche modeling methods.     

Integrating expert knowledge and ecological niche models to estimate Mexican primates’ distribution

Ecological niche modeling is used to estimate species distributions based on occurrence records and environmental variables, but it seldom includes explicit biotic or historical factors that are important in determining the distribution of species. Expert knowledge can provide additional valuable information regarding ecological or historical attributes of species, but the influence of integrating this information in the modeling process has been poorly explored. Here, we integrated expert knowledge in different stages of the niche modeling process to improve the representation of the actual geographic distributions of Mexican primates (Ateles geoffroyi, Alouatta pigra, and A. palliata mexicana). We designed an elicitation process to acquire information from experts and such information was integrated by an iterative process that consisted of reviews of input data by experts, production of ecological niche models (ENMs), and evaluation of model outputs to provide feedback. We built ENMs using the maximum entropy algorithm along with a dataset of occurrence records gathered from a public source and records provided by the experts. Models without expert knowledge were also built for comparison, and both models, with and without expert knowledge, were evaluated using four validation metrics that provide a measure of accuracy for presence-absence predictions (specificity, sensitivity, kappa, true skill statistic). Integrating expert knowledge to build ENMs produced better results for potential distributions than models without expert knowledge, but a much greater improvement in the transition from potential to realized geographic distributions by reducing overprediction, resulting in better representations of the actual geographic distributions of species. Furthermore, with the combination of niche models and expert knowledge we were able to identify an area of sympatry between A. palliata mexicana and A. pigra. We argue that the inclusion of expert knowledge at different stages in the construction of niche models in an explicit and systematic fashion is a recommended practice as it produces overall positive results for representing realized species distributions.     

Cryptic species complexes,widespread species and conservation: lessons from Amazonian frogs of the Leptodactylus marmoratus group (Anura: Leptodactylidae)

Morphologically cryptic species act as a wild card when it comes to biodiversity assessments and conservation, with the capacity to dramatically alter our understanding of the biological landscape at the taxonomic, ecological, biogeographic, evolutionary, and conservation levels. We discuss the potential effects that cryptic species may have on biodiversity assessments and conservation, as well as some of the current issues involving the treatment of cryptic species both at taxonomic and conservation levels. In addition, using a combination of advertisement call and morphological data, we describe a new species of the Leptodactylus marmoratus group from the upper Amazon basin, and we assess how cryptic species can affect conservation assessments of species in the Leptodactylus marmoratus group by examining how recent findings affect our understanding of the distribution of what is assumed to be a widespread Amazonian species, Leptodactylus andreae.     

Ecological divergence and speciation between lemur (Eulemur) sister species in Madagascar

Understanding ecological niche evolution over evolutionary timescales is crucial to elucidating the biogeographic history of organisms. Here, we used, for the first time, climate‐based ecological niche models (ENMs) to test hypotheses about ecological divergence and speciation processes between sister species pairs of lemurs (genus Eulemur) in Madagascar. We produced ENMs for eight species, all of which had significant validation support. Among the four sister species pairs, we found nonequivalent niches between sisters, varying degrees of niche overlap in ecological and geographic space, and support for multiple divergence processes. Specifically, three sister‐pair comparisons supported the null model that niches are no more divergent than the available background region. These findings are consistent with an allopatric speciation model, and for two sister pairs (E. collaris–E. cinereiceps and E. rufus–E. rufifrons), a riverine barrier has been previously proposed for driving allopatric speciation. However, for the fourth sister pair E. flavifrons–E. macaco, we found support for significant niche divergence, and consistent with their parapatric distribution on an ecotone and the lack of obvious geographic barriers, these findings most strongly support a parapatric model of speciation. These analyses thus suggest that various speciation processes have led to diversification among closely related Eulemur species.     

生态位模型的理论基础、发展方向与挑战

生态位模型是一个以生态位理论为基础的新兴研究领域.它通过采集研究对象的已知分布点及其相关的环境数据组成训练样本,利用数理统计或机器学习理论分析数据,构建特征函数表示物种在生态位空间的实际生态位.以生态位模型预测物种潜在分布地或计算物种间的生态位重叠等研究,在生态学、生物地理学和进化生物学研究中显得越来越重要.本文从生态位概念出发,详细解析了生态位模型的理论基础、相关的焦点争论、使用时的注意点以及可能的发展方向与面临的挑战,指出模型中要考虑人类活动对物种生态位的影响.希望本文所探讨的本领域最新的争论焦点能引起相关学者的关注与深入思考.     

Niche Divergence in a Brown Lemur (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eulemur</Emphasis> spp.) Hybrid Zone: Using Ecological Niche Models to Test Models of Stability

Endogenous selection is often implicated in the maintenance of stability of natural hybrid zones. Environmental conditions often vary across these zones, suggesting that local adaptation to ecological conditions could also play a role in this process. We used niche modeling to investigate these alternatives in a hybrid zone between two species of brown lemur (Eulemur rufifrons and E. cinereiceps) in southeastern Madagascar. We produced ecological niche models (ENMs) for parental and hybrid populations and compared values of niche overlap to null expectations using identity and background tests. All three taxonomic groups had nonequivalent ENMs with limited spatial overlap, supporting a role for niche divergence and local adaptation in the maintenance of this zone. However, values of niche overlap between ENMs were not greater than null expectations controlling for background environmental differences. These results could suggest that taxa in this hybrid zone inhabit portions of their environments that are more similar to their backgrounds, i.e., niche conservatism. Nevertheless, we did find evidence of niche divergence when using background tests that examined environmental variables separately. Although we could not rule out models indicating selection against hybrids, most lines of evidence were consistent with predictions for the bounded superiority model of hybrid zone stability. This study thus provides support that exogenous, environmental selection may be responsible for maintaining the hybrid zone, and may be implicated in the evolutionary divergence of these taxa.     

Habitat differentiation among three Nigeria–Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) populations

Ecological niche models (ENMs) are often used to predict species distribution patterns from datasets that describe abiotic and biotic factors at coarse spatial scales. Ground‐truthing ENMs provide important information about how these factors relate to species‐specific requirements at a scale that is biologically relevant for the species. Chimpanzees are territorial and have a predominantly frugivorous diet. The spatial and temporal variation in fruit availability for different chimpanzee populations is thus crucial, but rarely depicted in ENMs. The genetic and geographic distinction within Nigeria–Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) populations represents a unique opportunity to understand fine scale species‐relevant ecological variation in relation to ENMs. In Cameroon, P. t. ellioti is composed of two genetically distinct populations that occupy different niches: rainforests in western Cameroon and forest–woodland–savanna mosaic (ecotone) in central Cameroon. We investigated habitat variation at three representative sites using chimpanzee‐relevant environmental variables, including fruit availability, to assess how these variables distinguish these niches from one another. Contrary to the assumption of most ENM studies that intact forest is essential for the survival of chimpanzees, we hypothesized that the ecotone and human‐modified habitats in Cameroon have sufficient resources to sustain large chimpanzee populations. Rainfall, and the diversity, density, and size of trees were higher at the rainforest. The ecotone had a higher density of terrestrial herbs and lianas. Fruit availability was higher at Ganga (ecotone) than at Bekob and Njuma. Seasonal variation in fruit availability was highest at Ganga, and periods of fruit scarcity were longer than at the rainforest sites. Introduced and secondary forest species linked with anthropogenic modification were common at Bekob, which reduced seasonality in fruit availability. Our findings highlight the value of incorporating fine scale species‐relevant ecological data to create more realistic models, which have implications for local conservation planning efforts.     

Accommodating Species Climate-Forced Dispersal and Uncertainties in Spatial Conservation Planning

Spatial conservation prioritization should seek to anticipate climate change impacts on biodiversity and to mitigate these impacts through the development of dynamic conservation plans. Here, we defined spatial priorities for the conservation of amphibians inhabiting the Atlantic Forest Biodiversity Hotspot that overcome the likely impacts of climate change on the distribution of this imperiled fauna. First, we built ecological niche models (ENMs) for 431 amphibian species both for current time and for the mid-point of a 30-year period spanning 2071–2099 (i.e. 2080). For modeling species'' niches, we combined six modeling methods and three different climate models. We also quantified and mapped model uncertainties. Our consensus models forecasted range shifts that culminate with high species richness in central and eastern Atlantic Forest, both for current time and for 2080. Most species had a significant range contraction (up to 72%) and 12% of species were projected to be regionally extinct. Most species would need to disperse because suitable climatic sites will change. Therefore, we identified a network of priority sites for conservation that minimizes the distance a given species would need to disperse because of changes in future habitat suitability (i.e. climate-forced dispersal) as well as uncertainties associated to ENMs. This network also maximized complementary species representation across currently established protected areas. Priority sites already include possible dispersal corridors linking current and future suitable habitats for amphibians. Although we used the a top-ranked Biodiversity Hotspot and amphibians as a case study for illustrating our approach, our study may help developing more effective conservation strategies under climate change, especially when applied at different spatial scales, geographic regions, and taxonomic groups.     

Taxonomic Boundaries and Craniometric Variation in the Treeshrews (Scandentia,Tupaiidae) from the Palawan Faunal Region

The taxonomy of treeshrews (Order Scandentia) has long been complicated by ambiguous morphological species boundaries, and the treeshrews of the Palawan faunal region of the Philippines are no exception. Four named forms in the genus Tupaia Raffles, 1821, have been described from four island groups based on subtle qualitative morphological characters, and as many as three distinct species have been recognized. A recent molecular phylogenetic study of relationships among Tupaia species suggests that the two currently-recognized treeshrew species from the Palawan faunal region diverged very recently relative to other sister-species divergences within the genus and may not represent species-level taxonomic entities. Here we review the taxonomic and biogeographic histories of the Tupaia taxa from this region. We also collected craniodental data from 133 skulls of all four named forms, representing five island populations, and conducted univariate and multivariate analyses on these data. Our morphometric results are consistent with molecular results, further suggesting that there is insufficient evidence to recognize T. moellendorffi Matschie, 1898, as a separate species from T. palawanensis Thomas, 1894. Our analyses also revealed a craniodentally divergent population from the island of Balabac, which has never been considered a distinct subspecies (or species) from the population on Palawan. These results have conservation implications for the island populations in our analyses, but additional surveys and molecular evidence will be required to fully assess conservation priorities for the treeshrews of the Palawan faunal region.     

Geographic distribution,evolution, and disease importance of species within the Neotropical Anopheles albitarsis Group (Diptera,Culicidae)

The Anopheles albitarsis group of mosquitoes comprises eight recognized species and one mitochondrial lineage. Our knowledge of malaria vectorial importance and the distribution and evolution of these taxa is incomplete. We constructed ecological niche models (ENMs) for these taxa and used hypothesized phylogenetic relationships and ENMs to investigate environmental and ecological divergence associated with speciation events. Two major clades were identified, one north (Clade 1) and one south (Clade 2) of the Amazon River that likely is or was a barrier to mosquito movement. Clade 1 species occur more often in higher average temperature locations than Clade 2 species, and taxon splits within Clade 1 corresponded with a greater divergence of variables related to precipitation than was the case within Clade 2. Comparison of the ecological profiles of sympatric species and sister species support the idea that phylogenetic proximity is related to ecological similarity. Anopheles albitarsis I, An. janconnae, and An. marajoara ENMs had the highest percentage of their predicted suitable habitat overlapping distribution models of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax, and warrant additional studies of the transmission potential of these species. Phylogenetic proximity may be related to malaria vectorial importance within the Albitarsis Group.     

Conservation unit allows assessing vulnerability and setting conservation priorities for a Mediterranean endemic plant within the context of extreme urbanization

Current biodiversity patterns are a temporary state in a continuum of ecological and evolutionary changes. Conservation policies must incorporate this dynamic to ensure the long-term conservation of biodiversity which is particularly challenging in a context of extreme urbanization. An original approach, rarely used for plant conservation, is to define conservation units to set conservation priorities within species by combining ecological and evolutionary divergences. In the Maritime Alps (southern France), the ecological and evolutionary divergences between the populations of Acis nicaeensis has allowed us the determination of conservation units of this endemic plant threatened by severe urbanization and land-use changes. Phylogeographical data (cpDNA haplotype) were considered as a proxy for evolutionary legacy, and ecological data (multivariate analysis of habitat) were used as a proxy for ecological distinctiveness. Our goal was to explore the potential of this approach to assess vulnerability and set conservation priorities for narrow endemic species in the context of conflict between biodiversity and human activities. The results highlight five different conservation units within A. nicaeensis distribution. Genetic and ecological divergences are present at fine-scale. This pattern is highly endangered by urbanisation. This study highlights the vulnerability of conservation units near the coast whose originality and restricted distribution call for rapid conservation management to avoid the loss of species evolutionary and ecological distinctiveness.     

Determination of priority areas for amphibian conservation in Guerrero (Mexico), through systematic conservation planning tools

Guerrero is one of the most diverse states of Mexico, containing a large number of endemic and endangered amphibian species. However, it is one of the less protected and studied states of the country. Here, we determined the potential distribution of all amphibian species in a risk category present in Guerrero and defined priority areas for amphibian conservation in the state. We modelled the potential distribution of 32 species using the maximum entropy modelling algorithm. These models were used to define priority areas through systematic conservation planning tools. The most important variables explaining species’ potential distribution were measures of climate variability, particularly temperature seasonality. The priority areas for amphibian conservation identified covered a total area of 12,212.72 km² and contained an important proportion (almost a third) of the cloud mountain forests of the state. The most important planning units for meeting species targets and the most important planning units in terms of biodiversity overlapped in approximately the same planning units, located in the biogeographic regions of the Sierra Madre del Sur and the Pacific Coast. Finally, from the total priority areas identified, only 0.31% (38.17 km²) is currently protected within the existing natural protected areas in Guerrero. Thus, we consider that it is essential to protect additional natural areas in the state. Areas Voluntarily Destined for Conservation (ADVC) may be a good option; however, action must be taken to ensure the legitimacy of the processes by the local people and to avoid privileging only certain members of the community.     

Characterizing and predicting species distributions across environments and scales: Argentine ant occurrences in the eye of the beholder

Aim Species distribution models (SDMs) or, more specifically, ecological niche models (ENMs) are a useful and rapidly proliferating tool in ecology and global change biology. ENMs attempt to capture associations between a species and its environment and are often used to draw biological inferences, to predict potential occurrences in unoccupied regions and to forecast future distributions under environmental change. The accuracy of ENMs, however, hinges critically on the quality of occurrence data. ENMs often use haphazardly collected data rather than data collected across the full spectrum of existing environmental conditions. Moreover, it remains unclear how processes affecting ENM predictions operate at different spatial scales. The scale (i.e. grain size) of analysis may be dictated more by the sampling regime than by biologically meaningful processes. The aim of our study is to jointly quantify how issues relating to region and scale affect ENM predictions using an economically important and ecologically damaging invasive species, the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile). Location California, USA. Methods We analysed the relationship between sampling sufficiency, regional differences in environmental parameter space and cell size of analysis and resampling environmental layers using two independently collected sets of presence/absence data. Differences in variable importance were determined using model averaging and logistic regression. Model accuracy was measured with area under the curve (AUC) and Cohen's kappa. Results We first demonstrate that insufficient sampling of environmental parameter space can cause large errors in predicted distributions and biological interpretation. Models performed best when they were parametrized with data that sufficiently sampled environmental parameter space. Second, we show that altering the spatial grain of analysis changes the relative importance of different environmental variables. These changes apparently result from how environmental constraints and the sampling distributions of environmental variables change with spatial grain. Conclusions These findings have clear relevance for biological inference. Taken together, our results illustrate potentially general limitations for ENMs, especially when such models are used to predict species occurrences in novel environments. We offer basic methodological and conceptual guidelines for appropriate sampling and scale matching.     

Application of molecular genetics and geometric morphometrics to taxonomy and conservation of cave beetles in central Italy

Integration of molecular genetic techniques and geometric morphometrics represent a valuable tool in the resolution of taxonomic uncertainty and the identification of significant units for conservation. We combined mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit II gene sequence data and geometric morphometric analysis to examine taxonomic status and identify units for conservation in four species of the hypogean beetle Duvalius (Coleoptera, Trechinae) using mainly museum specimens collected in central Italy. Previous taxonomic studies based on morphological traits described several subspecies often inhabiting geographically distinct caves. Phylogenetic analysis identified two well supported monophyletic lineages and a number of different clades with relatively small genetic differences, suggesting a short divergence time in line with known geological history of the study area. Geometric morphometrics, on the other hand, recovered a high level of distinctiveness among specimens. Both genetic and morphometric analyses did not entirely corroborate former taxonomic nomenclature, suggesting possible rearrangements and the definition of evolutionary significant units. Beetles of the genus Duvalius are protected by regional laws and the majority of taxa considered in this study inhabit caves located outside protected areas. Our study advocates the importance of devoting protection efforts to networks of cave ecosystems rather than single locations or species.     

Five Cryptic Species in the Amazonian Catfish Centromochlus existimatus Identified Based on Biogeographic Predictions and Genetic Data

Accurately quantifying biodiversity is fundamental for both evolutionary theory and conservation strategies. DNA-based studies are exposing high cryptic diversity irrespective of taxonomic group or environmental setting, and increasing the ever-growing estimates of global biodiversity. This has severe implications for under-sampled and species-rich tropical regions, such as the Amazon Basin. We used biogeographic predictions derived from geomorphological history and contemporary hydrochemical and genetic data to examine cryptic diversity in the Amazonian driftwood catfish Centromochlus existimatus. Using both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA markers, five deeply divergent cryptic lineages are reported, for which at least three are sympatric in distribution. These lineages appear relatively old, with divergence times dating back to middle Miocene. Diversification events appear to be chronologically associated with the formation of the modern Amazon River system, and perhaps influenced by hydrochemical gradients between tributaries. The cause of apparent morphological stasis in the C. existimatus species complex is speculated within the context of hydrochemistry and non-visual mating cues and a full taxonomic revision is recommended. Our findings suggest that the diversity of Amazonian ichthyofauna is vastly underestimated and highlight the relevance of biogeographic predictions to guide sampling efforts in ecologically complex and under-studied ecosystems.     

Molecular and morphological evidence for a new species from South Africa: Carex rainbowii (Cyperaceae)

Carex rainbowii (Cariceae, Cyperaceae), a new species from the Drakensberg mountains (KwaZulu-Natal province), is described and illustrated. It was found in the shady understory of the Afromontane forest in the Cathedral Peak area. An additional, nearby population was also identified based on previously collected herbarium material. Morphological and molecular (cpDNA 5′trnK intron and nrDNA ITS and ETS sequences) data were used to evaluate the taxonomic status of these populations and shed light on their systematic placement. Our data strongly support their taxonomic identity and inclusion in Carex sect. Sylvaticae. The new species can be readily distinguished from other related taxa mainly by the frequently androgynecandrous terminal spike, dense female spikes, hyaline glumes, as well as by some quantitative features. This finding implies a considerable biogeographic disjunction from the mainly Eurasian-North African range of the remaining species of sect. Sylvaticae, a pattern also found in the related sections Ceratocystis, Rhynchocystis and Spirostachyae. Comments are provided on previous misidentifications of C. rainbowii as the closely related Carex sylvatica. Data pertinent to the conservation status of the species are provided.     

From GenBank to GBIF: Phylogeny-Based Predictive Niche Modeling Tests Accuracy of Taxonomic Identifications in Large Occurrence Data Repositories

Accuracy of taxonomic identifications is crucial to data quality in online repositories of species occurrence data, such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), which have accumulated several hundred million records over the past 15 years. These data serve as basis for large scale analyses of macroecological and biogeographic patterns and to document environmental changes over time. However, taxonomic identifications are often unreliable, especially for non-vascular plants and fungi including lichens, which may lack critical revisions of voucher specimens. Due to the scale of the problem, restudy of millions of collections is unrealistic and other strategies are needed. Here we propose to use verified, georeferenced occurrence data of a given species to apply predictive niche modeling that can then be used to evaluate unverified occurrences of that species. Selecting the charismatic lichen fungus, Usnea longissima, as a case study, we used georeferenced occurrence records based on sequenced specimens to model its predicted niche. Our results suggest that the target species is largely restricted to a narrow range of boreal and temperate forest in the Northern Hemisphere and that occurrence records in GBIF from tropical regions and the Southern Hemisphere do not represent this taxon, a prediction tested by comparison with taxonomic revisions of Usnea for these regions. As a novel approach, we employed Principal Component Analysis on the environmental grid data used for predictive modeling to visualize potential ecogeographical barriers for the target species; we found that tropical regions conform a strong barrier, explaining why potential niches in the Southern Hemisphere were not colonized by Usnea longissima and instead by morphologically similar species. This approach is an example of how data from two of the most important biodiversity repositories, GenBank and GBIF, can be effectively combined to remotely address the problem of inaccuracy of taxonomic identifications in occurrence data repositories and to provide a filtering mechanism which can considerably reduce the number of voucher specimens that need critical revision, in this case from 4,672 to about 100.     

Lineage diversity within a widespread endemic Australian skink to better inform conservation in response to regional‐scale disturbance

Much attention is paid in conservation planning to the concept of a species, to ensure comparability across studies and regions when classifying taxa against criteria of endangerment and setting priorities for action. However, various jurisdictions now allow taxonomic ranks below the level of species and nontaxonomic intraspecific divisions to be factored into conservation planning—subspecies, key populations, evolutionarily significant units, or designatable units. Understanding patterns of genetic diversity and its distribution across the landscape is a key component in the identification of species boundaries and determination of substantial geographic structure within species. A total of 12,532 reliable polymorphic SNP loci were generated from 63 populations (286 individuals) covering the distribution of the Australian eastern three‐lined skink, Bassiana duperreyi, to assess genetic population structure in the form of diagnosable lineages and their distribution across the landscape, with particular reference to the recent catastrophic bushfires of eastern Australia. Five well‐supported diagnosable operational taxonomic units (OTUs) existed within B. duperreyi. Low levels of divergence of B. duperreyi between mainland Australia and Tasmania (no fixed allelic differences) support the notion of episodic exchange of alleles across Bass Strait (ca 60 m, 25 Kya) during periods of low sea level during the Upper Pleistocene rather than the much longer period of isolation (1.7 My) indicated by earlier studies using mitochondrial sequence variation. Our study provides foundational work for the detailed taxonomic re‐evaluation of this species complex and the need for biodiversity assessment to include an examination of cryptic species and/or cryptic diversity below the level of species. Such information on lineage diversity within species and its distribution in the context of disturbance at a regional scale can be factored into conservation planning regardless of whether a decision is made to formally diagnose new species taxonomically and nomenclaturally.