Functional connectivity defined through cost-distance and genetic analyses: a case study for the rock-dwelling mountain vizcacha (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lagidium viscacia</Emphasis>) in Patagonia,Argentina |
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Authors: | R Susan Walker Andrés J Novaro Lyn C Branch |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, 110 Newins-Ziegler Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;(2) Wildlife Conservation Society, Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Neuquén, Calle Curruhue y Río Chimehuín, Junín de los Andes, 8371, Neuquen, Argentina;(3) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Neuquén, C.C. 7, Junín de los Andes, 8371, Neuquen, Argentina |
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Abstract: | Landscape connectivity can have profound consequences for distribution and persistence of populations and metapopulations.
Evaluating functional connectivity of a landscape for a species requires a measure of dispersal rates through landscape elements
at a spatial scale sufficient to encompass movement capabilities of individuals over the entire landscape. We evaluated functional
connectivity for a rock-dwelling mammal, the mountain vizcacha (Lagidium viscacia), in northern Patagonia. Because of the strict association of mountain vizcachas with rocks, we hypothesized that connectivity
for this species would be influenced by geology. We used molecular genetic estimates of gene flow to test spatially explicit
models of connectivity created with GIS cost-distance analysis of landscape resistance to movement. We analyzed the spatial
arrangement of cliffs with join counts and local k-function analyses. We did not capture and genotype individuals, but sampled
at the population level through non-invasive collection of feces of mountain vizcachas. The model of landscape connectivity
for mountain vizcachas based on geology was corroborated by the pattern of genetic structure, supporting the hypothesis that
functional connectivity for mountain vizcachas is influenced by geology, particularly by the distribution of appropriate volcanic
rocks. Analysis of spatial arrangement of cliffs indicated that occupied cliffs are clustered and confirmed that rivers act
as barriers to dispersal for mountain vizcachas. Our methods could be used, within certain constraints, to study functional
landscape connectivity in other organisms, and may be particularly useful for cryptic or endangered species, or those that
are difficult or expensive to capture. |
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Keywords: | Landscape connectivity Microsatellites Non-invasive sampling South America |
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