Landscape resistance affects individual habitat selection but not genetic relatedness in a reintroduced desert ungulate

L. J. Zecherle; S. Bar-David; H. J. Nichols; A. R. Templeton; H. Hipperson; G. J. Horsburgh; R. P. Brown

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108845

Landscape resistance affects individual habitat selection but not genetic relatedness in a reintroduced desert ungulate

L. J. Zecherle, S. Bar-David, H. J. Nichols, A. R. Templeton, H. Hipperson, G. J. Horsburgh, R. P. Brown

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The long-term success of species reintroductions is strongly dependent on the availability of large areas of suitable habitat and the genetic make-up of the population. If available habitat is poorly connected this can hinder gene flow and lead to genetic fragmentation of the population, potentially increasing its extinction risk. We employed a conservation genomics approach in which we combined analyses of genetic structure with testing for potential landscape effects on habitat selection and gene flow in reintroduced Asiatic wild ass Equus hemionus ssp. in the Israeli Negev desert. Genetic structure and pairwise relatedness were first investigated followed by examination of landscape effects on individual habitat selection using records of GPS collared individuals. We then built habitat resistance surfaces and used electrical circuit theory to test for landscape effects on genetic relatedness. We detected weak genetic structuring, yet low spatial coherence among individuals from the same genetic cluster. Landscape variables had a significant impact on individual habitat selection, with wild ass avoiding steep slopes and habitats of low suitability as predicted by a species distribution model. However, the landscape genetic analysis revealed no effect of habitat resistance on genetic relatedness. These results suggest that gene flow in the reintroduced population is not impacted by landscape resistance. Indeed, the high mobility of the species may increase its resistance to the genetic effects of habitat fragmentation, at least over a small number of generations. We discuss other potential causes for the observed genetic structure including a behavioural effect. Our study highlights the importance of understanding species-habitat interactions for the long-term success of reintroductions.

Original language	English
Article number	108845
Journal	Biological Conservation
Volume	252
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108845
State	Published - Dec 2020
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We would like to thank the Israeli Nature and Parks authorities for provision of the DNA samples, Naama Shahar (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) and Georgios Zouganelis (Liverpool John Moores University) for their expertise and help with DNA extractions and shipment of samples. We thank Oded Nezer, Tomer Gueta and Yohay Carmel for letting us use their species distribution model. The laboratory work was performed at the NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility at the University of Sheffield and supported by the UK Natural Environment Research Council. This is article number 1090 of the Mitrani Department. The genomic sequencing was carried out by Edinburgh Genomics, The University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh Genomics is partly supported through core grants from NERC (R8/H10/56), MRC (MR/K001744/1) and BBSRC (BB/J004243/1). The genomic and bioinformatic aspects of this research were funded by the Natural Environment Research Council Biomolecular Analysis Facility Grant (NBAF1073) awarded to HJN & RPB, and the research was also supported by a Humboldt Foundation Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers and a Leverhulme Trust International Academic Fellowship (IAF-2018-006) awarded to HJN. LJZ was supported by a PhD scholarship from Liverpool John Moores University.

Funding Information:
The genomic sequencing was carried out by Edinburgh Genomics, The University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh Genomics is partly supported through core grants from NERC ( R8/H10/56 ), MRC ( MR/K001744/1 ) and BBSRC ( BB/J004243/1 ). The genomic and bioinformatic aspects of this research were funded by the Natural Environment Research Council Biomolecular Analysis Facility Grant ( NBAF1073 ) awarded to HJN & RPB, and the research was also supported by a Humboldt Foundation Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers and a Leverhulme Trust International Academic Fellowship ( IAF-2018-006 ) awarded to HJN. LJZ was supported by a PhD scholarship from Liverpool John Moores University .

Funding Information:
We would like to thank the Israeli Nature and Parks authorities for provision of the DNA samples, Naama Shahar (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) and Georgios Zouganelis (Liverpool John Moores University) for their expertise and help with DNA extractions and shipment of samples. We thank Oded Nezer, Tomer Gueta and Yohay Carmel for letting us use their species distribution model. The laboratory work was performed at the NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility at the University of Sheffield and supported by the UK Natural Environment Research Council . This is article number 1090 of the Mitrani Department.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

Circuit theory
Equus hemionus
Genetic structure
Habitat selection
Landscape resistance
Reintroduction

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Nature and Landscape Conservation

Access to Document

10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108845

Cite this

@article{9f9503d0423f4e0988c5b12f4167ed92,

title = "Landscape resistance affects individual habitat selection but not genetic relatedness in a reintroduced desert ungulate",

abstract = "The long-term success of species reintroductions is strongly dependent on the availability of large areas of suitable habitat and the genetic make-up of the population. If available habitat is poorly connected this can hinder gene flow and lead to genetic fragmentation of the population, potentially increasing its extinction risk. We employed a conservation genomics approach in which we combined analyses of genetic structure with testing for potential landscape effects on habitat selection and gene flow in reintroduced Asiatic wild ass Equus hemionus ssp. in the Israeli Negev desert. Genetic structure and pairwise relatedness were first investigated followed by examination of landscape effects on individual habitat selection using records of GPS collared individuals. We then built habitat resistance surfaces and used electrical circuit theory to test for landscape effects on genetic relatedness. We detected weak genetic structuring, yet low spatial coherence among individuals from the same genetic cluster. Landscape variables had a significant impact on individual habitat selection, with wild ass avoiding steep slopes and habitats of low suitability as predicted by a species distribution model. However, the landscape genetic analysis revealed no effect of habitat resistance on genetic relatedness. These results suggest that gene flow in the reintroduced population is not impacted by landscape resistance. Indeed, the high mobility of the species may increase its resistance to the genetic effects of habitat fragmentation, at least over a small number of generations. We discuss other potential causes for the observed genetic structure including a behavioural effect. Our study highlights the importance of understanding species-habitat interactions for the long-term success of reintroductions.",

keywords = "Circuit theory, Equus hemionus, Genetic structure, Habitat selection, Landscape resistance, Reintroduction",

author = "Zecherle, {L. J.} and S. Bar-David and Nichols, {H. J.} and Templeton, {A. R.} and H. Hipperson and Horsburgh, {G. J.} and Brown, {R. P.}",

note = "Funding Information: We would like to thank the Israeli Nature and Parks authorities for provision of the DNA samples, Naama Shahar (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) and Georgios Zouganelis (Liverpool John Moores University) for their expertise and help with DNA extractions and shipment of samples. We thank Oded Nezer, Tomer Gueta and Yohay Carmel for letting us use their species distribution model. The laboratory work was performed at the NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility at the University of Sheffield and supported by the UK Natural Environment Research Council. This is article number 1090 of the Mitrani Department. The genomic sequencing was carried out by Edinburgh Genomics, The University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh Genomics is partly supported through core grants from NERC (R8/H10/56), MRC (MR/K001744/1) and BBSRC (BB/J004243/1). The genomic and bioinformatic aspects of this research were funded by the Natural Environment Research Council Biomolecular Analysis Facility Grant (NBAF1073) awarded to HJN & RPB, and the research was also supported by a Humboldt Foundation Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers and a Leverhulme Trust International Academic Fellowship (IAF-2018-006) awarded to HJN. LJZ was supported by a PhD scholarship from Liverpool John Moores University. Funding Information: The genomic sequencing was carried out by Edinburgh Genomics, The University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh Genomics is partly supported through core grants from NERC ( R8/H10/56 ), MRC ( MR/K001744/1 ) and BBSRC ( BB/J004243/1 ). The genomic and bioinformatic aspects of this research were funded by the Natural Environment Research Council Biomolecular Analysis Facility Grant ( NBAF1073 ) awarded to HJN & RPB, and the research was also supported by a Humboldt Foundation Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers and a Leverhulme Trust International Academic Fellowship ( IAF-2018-006 ) awarded to HJN. LJZ was supported by a PhD scholarship from Liverpool John Moores University . Funding Information: We would like to thank the Israeli Nature and Parks authorities for provision of the DNA samples, Naama Shahar (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) and Georgios Zouganelis (Liverpool John Moores University) for their expertise and help with DNA extractions and shipment of samples. We thank Oded Nezer, Tomer Gueta and Yohay Carmel for letting us use their species distribution model. The laboratory work was performed at the NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility at the University of Sheffield and supported by the UK Natural Environment Research Council . This is article number 1090 of the Mitrani Department. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020 Elsevier Ltd",

year = "2020",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108845",

language = "English",

volume = "252",

journal = "Biological Conservation",

issn = "0006-3207",

publisher = "Elsevier",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Landscape resistance affects individual habitat selection but not genetic relatedness in a reintroduced desert ungulate

AU - Zecherle, L. J.

AU - Bar-David, S.

AU - Nichols, H. J.

AU - Templeton, A. R.

AU - Hipperson, H.

AU - Horsburgh, G. J.

AU - Brown, R. P.

N1 - Funding Information: We would like to thank the Israeli Nature and Parks authorities for provision of the DNA samples, Naama Shahar (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) and Georgios Zouganelis (Liverpool John Moores University) for their expertise and help with DNA extractions and shipment of samples. We thank Oded Nezer, Tomer Gueta and Yohay Carmel for letting us use their species distribution model. The laboratory work was performed at the NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility at the University of Sheffield and supported by the UK Natural Environment Research Council. This is article number 1090 of the Mitrani Department. The genomic sequencing was carried out by Edinburgh Genomics, The University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh Genomics is partly supported through core grants from NERC (R8/H10/56), MRC (MR/K001744/1) and BBSRC (BB/J004243/1). The genomic and bioinformatic aspects of this research were funded by the Natural Environment Research Council Biomolecular Analysis Facility Grant (NBAF1073) awarded to HJN & RPB, and the research was also supported by a Humboldt Foundation Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers and a Leverhulme Trust International Academic Fellowship (IAF-2018-006) awarded to HJN. LJZ was supported by a PhD scholarship from Liverpool John Moores University. Funding Information: The genomic sequencing was carried out by Edinburgh Genomics, The University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh Genomics is partly supported through core grants from NERC ( R8/H10/56 ), MRC ( MR/K001744/1 ) and BBSRC ( BB/J004243/1 ). The genomic and bioinformatic aspects of this research were funded by the Natural Environment Research Council Biomolecular Analysis Facility Grant ( NBAF1073 ) awarded to HJN & RPB, and the research was also supported by a Humboldt Foundation Research Fellowship for Experienced Researchers and a Leverhulme Trust International Academic Fellowship ( IAF-2018-006 ) awarded to HJN. LJZ was supported by a PhD scholarship from Liverpool John Moores University . Funding Information: We would like to thank the Israeli Nature and Parks authorities for provision of the DNA samples, Naama Shahar (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev) and Georgios Zouganelis (Liverpool John Moores University) for their expertise and help with DNA extractions and shipment of samples. We thank Oded Nezer, Tomer Gueta and Yohay Carmel for letting us use their species distribution model. The laboratory work was performed at the NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility at the University of Sheffield and supported by the UK Natural Environment Research Council . This is article number 1090 of the Mitrani Department. Publisher Copyright: © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

PY - 2020/12

Y1 - 2020/12

N2 - The long-term success of species reintroductions is strongly dependent on the availability of large areas of suitable habitat and the genetic make-up of the population. If available habitat is poorly connected this can hinder gene flow and lead to genetic fragmentation of the population, potentially increasing its extinction risk. We employed a conservation genomics approach in which we combined analyses of genetic structure with testing for potential landscape effects on habitat selection and gene flow in reintroduced Asiatic wild ass Equus hemionus ssp. in the Israeli Negev desert. Genetic structure and pairwise relatedness were first investigated followed by examination of landscape effects on individual habitat selection using records of GPS collared individuals. We then built habitat resistance surfaces and used electrical circuit theory to test for landscape effects on genetic relatedness. We detected weak genetic structuring, yet low spatial coherence among individuals from the same genetic cluster. Landscape variables had a significant impact on individual habitat selection, with wild ass avoiding steep slopes and habitats of low suitability as predicted by a species distribution model. However, the landscape genetic analysis revealed no effect of habitat resistance on genetic relatedness. These results suggest that gene flow in the reintroduced population is not impacted by landscape resistance. Indeed, the high mobility of the species may increase its resistance to the genetic effects of habitat fragmentation, at least over a small number of generations. We discuss other potential causes for the observed genetic structure including a behavioural effect. Our study highlights the importance of understanding species-habitat interactions for the long-term success of reintroductions.

AB - The long-term success of species reintroductions is strongly dependent on the availability of large areas of suitable habitat and the genetic make-up of the population. If available habitat is poorly connected this can hinder gene flow and lead to genetic fragmentation of the population, potentially increasing its extinction risk. We employed a conservation genomics approach in which we combined analyses of genetic structure with testing for potential landscape effects on habitat selection and gene flow in reintroduced Asiatic wild ass Equus hemionus ssp. in the Israeli Negev desert. Genetic structure and pairwise relatedness were first investigated followed by examination of landscape effects on individual habitat selection using records of GPS collared individuals. We then built habitat resistance surfaces and used electrical circuit theory to test for landscape effects on genetic relatedness. We detected weak genetic structuring, yet low spatial coherence among individuals from the same genetic cluster. Landscape variables had a significant impact on individual habitat selection, with wild ass avoiding steep slopes and habitats of low suitability as predicted by a species distribution model. However, the landscape genetic analysis revealed no effect of habitat resistance on genetic relatedness. These results suggest that gene flow in the reintroduced population is not impacted by landscape resistance. Indeed, the high mobility of the species may increase its resistance to the genetic effects of habitat fragmentation, at least over a small number of generations. We discuss other potential causes for the observed genetic structure including a behavioural effect. Our study highlights the importance of understanding species-habitat interactions for the long-term success of reintroductions.

KW - Circuit theory

KW - Equus hemionus

KW - Genetic structure

KW - Habitat selection

KW - Landscape resistance

KW - Reintroduction

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85096170809&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108845

DO - 10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108845

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85096170809

SN - 0006-3207

VL - 252

JO - Biological Conservation

JF - Biological Conservation

M1 - 108845

ER -

Landscape resistance affects individual habitat selection but not genetic relatedness in a reintroduced desert ungulate

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this