Genetic relationships of hellbenders in the Ozark highlands of Missouri and conservation implications for the Ozark subspecies (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi</Emphasis>) |
| |
Authors: | Rachel S Crowhurst Kaitlyn M Faries Jennifer Collantes Jeffrey T Briggler Jeffrey B Koppelman Lori S Eggert |
| |
Institution: | (1) Missouri Department of Conservation, Resource Science Center, Columbia, MO 65201, USA;(2) Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;(3) Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, 226 Tucker Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, USA;(4) Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102, USA; |
| |
Abstract: | The hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is an obligately aquatic salamander that is in decline due to habitat loss and disease. Two subspecies of hellbender have
been described based on morphological characteristics: C. a. alleganiensis (eastern subspecies) and C. a. bishopi (Ozark hellbender). Current conservation strategies include captive propagation for restorative releases even though information
regarding the current levels of genetic variability and structure within populations is not sufficient to effectively plan
for conservation of the genetic diversity of the species. To investigate patterns of population structure in the hellbender,
we genotyped 276 hellbenders from eight Missouri River drainages, representing both subspecies. Our results showed low levels
of within-drainage diversity but strong population structure among rivers, and three distinct genetic clusters. F
ST
values ranged from 0.00 to 0.61 and averaged 0.40. Our results confirmed previous reports that C. a. bishopi and C. a. alleganiensis are genetically distinct, but also revealed an equidistant relationship between two groups within C. a. bishopi and all populations of C. a. alleganiensis. Current subspecies delineations do not accurately incorporate genetic structure, and for conservation purposes, these three
groups should be considered evolutionarily significant units. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|