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Gene Flow Patterns of the Five Lined Skink (Eumeces Fasciatus) in the Fragmented Landscape of Northeast Ohio

Buk, Tara B
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1399675200

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science, University of Akron, Biology.
A major obstacle to the preservation of animal populations is habitat fragmentation. Fragmentation often results in the isolation and subsequent loss of subpopulations. Gene flow determines the extent to which populations remain separated as independent evolutionary units, and thus affects the evolution of a species. Gene flow between small fragmented subpopulations can often have great effects on the species stability. If small populations are lost and there is no migration between subpopulations, recolonization of suitable habitat does not occur and the overall population declines. The loss of naturally occurring populations reduces gene flow, which may lead to genetic differentiation. This study investigated the population structure of the five-lined skink, Eumeces fasciatus, occupying what appear to be isolated sites in the fragmented landscape of Northeast Ohio. Populations in Akron were of particular interest because they exist in highly urbanized locales, and these lizards have rarely been recorded in Summit County. Additionally, there is a large gap in distribution record of the species statewide. Five polymorphic microsatellite markers were used to evaluate the gene flow between 5 different locations in Northeast Ohio. The gene flow estimates indicated that there is a significant pattern of isolation by distance (IBD). However, even across very broad geographical scales (170km), the IBD did not lead to a consequential divergence of populations. This data offers information on the genetic divergence of this species and contributes to our understanding of the larger problem of animal conservation in urban areas, as well as its relation to anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and degradation.
Francisco Moore, Dr. (Advisor)
Randall Mitchell, Dr. (Advisor)
Peter Niewiarowski, Dr. (Committee Member)
30 p.
Biology; Genetics; Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife Management
Eumeces, metapopulation, microsatellites, population structure,isolation by distance

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Buk, T. B. (2014). Gene Flow Patterns of the Five Lined Skink (Eumeces Fasciatus) in the Fragmented Landscape of Northeast Ohio [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1399675200

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Buk, Tara. Gene Flow Patterns of the Five Lined Skink (Eumeces Fasciatus) in the Fragmented Landscape of Northeast Ohio . 2014. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1399675200.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Buk, Tara. "Gene Flow Patterns of the Five Lined Skink (Eumeces Fasciatus) in the Fragmented Landscape of Northeast Ohio ." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1399675200

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.