Open AccessGenetic and demographic trends from rear to leading edge are explained by climate and forest cover in a cold‐adapted ectotherm
Author(s) -
Dupoué Andréaz,
Trochet Audrey,
Richard Murielle,
Sorlin Mahaut,
Guillon Michaël,
TeulieresQuillet Jules,
Vallé Clément,
Rault Cyrielle,
Berroneau Maud,
Berroneau Matthieu,
Lourdais Olivier,
Blaimont Pauline,
Bertrand Romain,
Pottier Gilles,
Calvez Olivier,
Guillaume Olivier,
Le Chevalier Hugo,
Souchet Jérémie,
Le Galliard JeanFrançois,
Clobert Jean,
Aubret Fabien
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
diversity and distributions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.918
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1472-4642
pISSN - 1366-9516
DOI - 10.1111/ddi.13202
Subject(s) - ectotherm , range (aeronautics) , ecology , geography , population , cline (biology) , climate change , biology , habitat , genetic diversity , demography , materials science , sociology , composite material
Aim Determining whether altitudinal shifts in species distributions leave molecular footprints on wild populations along their range margins from rear to leading edge. Location South‐west France. Methods We compared the demographic and genetic variation in 42 wild populations of the Western oviparous subclade B2 of a cold‐adapted lizard ( Zootoca vivipara louislantzi ). These populations can be divided into four ecological units across altitudinal clines in South‐west France (rear edge: <100 m, admixture zone: 100–500 m, continuous range: 500–1,300 m and leading edge: >1,300 m above sea level). Results Within the rear edge were found the highest levels of inbreeding, genetic differentiation and evidence of interrupted gene flow compared to central or colonizing areas. Within the leading edge, altitudinal range expansion occurred over the last centuries and populations showed relatively low genetic diversity. These demographic and genetic trends were better explained by inhospitable (warm and dry) climate conditions and forest cover. Main conclusions This empirical evidence illustrates that molecular footprints of climate conditions and habitat quality on wild population trends can be perceived after recent events, which should be of particular importance to accurately understand and anticipate human‐induced global change on wild species and ecosystems.