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Population Bottlenecks and Range Expansion in Podarcis muralis, a Wall Lizard Introduced from Italy

Lescano, Ninnia V.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1275070519

Abstract Details

2010, MS, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences : Biological Sciences.
Invasive populations undergo changes in genetic diversity during colonization and range expansion, which may influence adaptive ability and ultimately invasion success. Yet, surprisingly few studies have shown evidence of genetic bottlenecks expected for an invasive species. Ten individuals of the Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) from northern Italy were released in Cincinnati, Ohio during the early 1950's and has since spread to surrounding areas, reaching densities of 1500 individuals/acre where there is suitable habitat. Though this lizard has become a well established invasive in the Cincinnati region, little work has been done to quantify changes in Podarcis muralis genetic diversity during small scale range expansion. In this study, I compared genetic variation at eight microsatellite loci in the Cincinnati population to two contemporary European populations. The results show that a significant loss in genetic diversity occurred in the Cincinnati population indicating a past genetic bottleneck. Genetic bottlenecks subsequent to the initial colonization bottleneck were also detected in all but two of the seventeen subpopulations in the study. High levels of population differentiation were also found, even at small distances, which indicate minimal levels of gene flow between subpopulations. These results show that range expansion in the Cincinnati population does not occur through simple diffusion alone. Reports from citizen scientists indicate that accidental or intentional human introductions may be more common than previously thought in Cincinnati Podarcis muralis. Despite a severe genetic bottleneck, Podarcis muralis is thriving in its introduced range possibly due to an apparent lack of selective pressures. Few native lizards are present within the urban/suburban areas where they are found, there is an abundance of suitable habitat, and Cincinnati has a similar climate to northern Italy. Podarcis muralis should be closely monitored because they have the potential to spread to areas where they may pose a threat to native herpetofauna.
Kenneth Petren, PhD (Committee Chair)
Stephen Matter, PhD (Committee Member)
Eric Maurer, PhD (Committee Member)
81 p.
Ecology
Podarcis muralis; invasive species; dispersal; bottleneck; microsatellite

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lescano, N. V. (2010). Population Bottlenecks and Range Expansion in Podarcis muralis, a Wall Lizard Introduced from Italy [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1275070519

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lescano, Ninnia. Population Bottlenecks and Range Expansion in Podarcis muralis, a Wall Lizard Introduced from Italy. 2010. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1275070519.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lescano, Ninnia. "Population Bottlenecks and Range Expansion in Podarcis muralis, a Wall Lizard Introduced from Italy." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1275070519

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1275070519
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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.