Effect of biogeographic history on population vulnerability in European amphibians

• Published in: Conservation biology Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 1235 - 1241
• Main Authors: Dufresnes, Christophe, Perrin, Nicolas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Scientific Publications 01-08-2015; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Wiley Periodicals Inc
• Subjects: adverse effects; amphibians; Amphibians - genetics; Amphibians - physiology; Animal populations; Animals; anthropogenic activities; Biodiversity; Biogeography; conservación; conservation; Conservation biology; Conservation of Natural Resources; diversidad genética; Ecosystem; Endangered & extinct species; Europe; expansión poblacional; filogeografía; Genetic diversity; Genetic Variation; glacial refugia; glaciation; habitat fragmentation; human population; lista roja; meta-analysis; pesticides; Phylogeography; population; population density; population expansion; population growth; red list; refuge habitats; refugios glaciales; Reptiles & amphibians; Research Notes; Europe; filogeografía; glacial refugia; diversidad genética; genetic diversity; conservation; expansión poblacional; lista roja; refugios glaciales; red list; population expansion; conservación; phylogeography
• ISSN: 0888-8892; 1523-1739
• DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12490

The genetic diversity of populations, which contributes greatly to their adaptive potential, is negatively affected by anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and destruction. However, continental‐scale losses of genetic diversity also resulted from the population expansions that followed the end of the last glaciation, an element that is rarely considered in a conservation context. We addressed this issue in a meta‐analysis in which we compared the spatial patterns of vulnerability of 18 widespread European amphibians in light of phylogeographic histories (glacial refugia and postglacial routes) and anthropogenic disturbances. Conservation statuses significantly worsened with distances from refugia, particularly in the context of industrial agriculture; human population density also had a negative effect. These findings suggest that features associated with the loss of genetic diversity in post‐glacial amphibian populations (such as enhanced fixation load or depressed adaptive potential) may increase their susceptibility to current threats (e.g., habitat fragmentation and pesticide use). We propose that the phylogeographic status of populations (i.e., refugial vs. post‐glacial) should be considered in conservation assessments for regional and national red lists.