Abstract
In general, landscape genetic studies have ignored the potential role that the phenotype of individuals plays in determining fine-scale genetic structure in species. This potential over-simplification ignores an important component that dispersal is both condition- and phenotype-dependent. In order to investigate the relationship between potential dispersal, habitat selection and phenotype, we examined the spatial ecology, body mass and fine-scale genetic structure of weasels (Mustela nivalis) in BiaowieA1/4a Forest in Poland. Our study population is characterized by an almost three-fold phenotypic variation in adult body mass and weasels were segregated in certain habitats according to size. We detected significant genetic structuring associated with habitat within the studied area and analyses of radio-tracking and re-capture data showed that the maximum extent of movement was achieved by weasels of medium body size, whereas the smallest and largest individuals exhibited higher site fidelity. With the unrestricted movement of the medium-sized individuals across optimal habitat, genetic admixture does occur. However, the presence of a barrier leads to unidirectional gene flow, with larger individuals outcompeting smaller individuals and therefore maintaining the genetic break in the study area. This highlights the importance of considering both intrinsic (phenotype) and extrinsic (environmental) factors in understanding dispersal patterns and ultimately, gene flow in complex landscapes.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 499-509 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Conservation Genetics |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 19 Jun 2012 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 2013 |
Bibliographical note
AcknowledgmentsThis study was supported by Ministry of Science and Higher Education grants 3 P04F 05125 to KZ and 2 P04F 01329 to PAS. ADM and MKO were supported by postdoctoral fellowships under the project BIOCONSUS (Research Potential in Conservation and Sustainable Management of Biodiversity), funded by the European Union 7th Framework Programme (FP7 2010–2013; Agreement No. 245737). We would like to thank our numerous students for help in weasel trapping and technical assistance. Finally, thanks to Ilaria Coscia for comments and advice on analyses and to the two anonymous reviewers for their comments on the manuscript.
Keywords
- Anthropogenic barrier
- Body mass
- Habitat selection
- Intra-specific competition
- Microsatellites
- Mustela nivalis
- Radio-tracking
- Sex-biased dispersal
- BIALOWIEZA-NATIONAL-PARK
- MULTILOCUS GENOTYPE DATA
- SEX-BIASED DISPERSAL
- MINK MUSTELA-VISON
- POPULATION-STRUCTURE
- LANDSCAPE GENETICS
- ACTIVITY PATTERNS
- DECIDUOUS FOREST
- METABOLIC-RATES
- SMALL MAMMALS