Authors: N Dolgener C Schröder N Schneeweiss R Tiedemann
Publish Date: 2012/02/16
Volume: 689, Issue: 1, Pages: 111-120
Abstract
In this study we report the genetic population structure of the Firebellied toad Bombina bombina in Brandenburg East Germany in the context of conservation We analysed 298 samples originating from 11 populations in Brandenburg using mitochondrial control region sequences and six polymorphic microsatellite loci For comparison we included one population each from Poland and Ukraine into our analysis Within Brandenburg we detected a moderate variability in the mitochondrial control region 19 different haplotypes and at microsatellite loci 9–12 alleles per locus These polymorphisms revealed a clear population structure among toads in Brandenburg despite a relatively high overall population density and the moderate size of single populations 100–2000 individuals The overall genetic population structure is consistent with a postglacial colonization from South EastEurope and a subsequent population expansion Based on genetic connectivity we infer Management Units MUs as targets for conservation Our genetic survey identified MUs within which human infrastructure is currently preventing any genetic exchange We also detect an unintentional translocation from South East to North West Brandenburg presumably in the course of fish stocking activities Provided suitable conservation measures are taken Brandenburg should continue to harbor large populations of this critically endangered speciesWe thank Lisa Frenzel and all assistants of the Naturschutzstation Rhinluch Caroline Göhler Andreas Hagenguth Michaela Heidenfelder Kathrin Kraft Frank Kuba Andreas Krone Gerhard Maetz Gabi Matschke Simone Pfautsch Beate Schonert Thorsten Schönbrodt Frank Schröder and Annika Wiemann who supported us and helped with the field work Special thanks to the private landowners Karl Winkelgrund and Ms Höhne for their cooperation help and interest For lab assistance we are grateful to Katja Havenstein and Anja Schneider Funding was provided by the Ministerium für Wissenschaft Forschung und Kultur Brandenburg and the University of Potsdam
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