Open AccessBiogeography of the smooth snake ( C oronella austriaca ): origin and conservation of the northernmost population
Author(s) -
Galarza Juan A.,
Mappes Johanna,
Valkonen Janne K.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
biological journal of the linnean society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.906
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1095-8312
pISSN - 0024-4066
DOI - 10.1111/bij.12424
Subject(s) - biology , range (aeronautics) , population , endangered species , ecology , population decline , lineage (genetic) , biogeography , population size , conservation status , effective population size , mountain range (options) , habitat , genetic structure , evolutionary biology , genetic variation , demography , biochemistry , materials science , sociology , gene , composite material , financial economics , economics
Understanding historical range expansions and population demography can be crucial for the conservation and management of endangered species. In doing so, valuable information can be obtained regarding, for example, the identification of isolated populations, associations to particular habitats and distribution range shifts. As poikilotherms, snakes are vulnerable to environmental changes that can greatly shape their distribution ranges. Here we used mitochondrial data to elucidate the origin of the smooth snake population in Å land island, which is the northernmost location where the species is found. In Å land, we used mitochondrial and microsatellite data to fine‐map its spatial genetic structure, infer its demographic dynamics and determine its effective population size. We found three independent lineages, which expanded north from I berian, the B alkans and C aucasus regions. The central lineage originating in the B alkans was the only one that reached Scandinavia. The Å land population belongs to this lineage and potentially colonized the island from the west via S weden. This population appeared to be critically small and fragmented into two genetically isolated subpopulations. We discuss our results in light of previous findings regarding colonization routes in E urope and S candinavia. Moreover, we discuss the origin and current genetic status of the Å land population relative to other co‐occurring snakes and suggest conservation measures based on our findings. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2015, 114 , 426–435.