Meeting Abstract
Metapopulation theory is concerned with local population dynamics, especially migration, and the relationship between population colonization and extinction. It is hypothesized that isolated subpopulations with low immigration rates display reduced genetic variation, likely a result of genetic drift. Fortunately, researchers can use genomic sequence data to rigorously examine the population biology and ecology of natural metapopulations in a conservation context. Here, we analyze the genetic variation of 65 samples of a threatened kangaroo rat, Dipodomys elator, using 3RAD, a modified restriction site associated sequencing approach amenable to low initial DNA input, such as those sampled from minimally invasive techniques or degraded samples. We demonstrate that there are at least two D. elator subpopulations, which are grouped into eastern and western demes. An area where no samples were drawn, called a “sampling hole,” separates these two. In addition, this metapopulation exhibits an excess of heterozygotes, which is symptomatic of small, isolated populations experiencing coalescence. Because of these results, we classify the D. elator population as a classic two-population metapopulation whose persistence is dependent on deme location. Since subpopulations can vanish very rapidly, it is vital for conservation managers to monitor spatial population dynamics and genetic variability of this species for long-term population viability.
