Geographic separation and genetic differentiation of populations are not coupled with niche differentiation in threatened Kaiser's spotted newt (Neurergus kaiseri)

Goudarzi, F., Hemami, M.-R., Rancilhac, L., Malekian, M., Fakheran, S., Elmer, K. R. and Steinfartz, S. (2019) Geographic separation and genetic differentiation of populations are not coupled with niche differentiation in threatened Kaiser's spotted newt (Neurergus kaiseri). Scientific Reports, 9, 6239. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-41886-8) (PMID:30996234) (PMCID:PMC6470216)

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Abstract

The combination of niche modelling and landscape genetics (genomics) helps to disentangle processes that have shaped population structure in the evolutionary past and presence of species. Herein, we integrate a comprehensive genomic dataset with ecological parameters and niche modelling for the threatened Kaiser's newt, a newt species adapted to mountain spring-ponds in Iran. Genomic analysis suggests the existence of two highly differentiated clades North and South of the Dez River. Genetic variation between the two clades (76.62%) was much greater than within clades (16.25%), suggesting that the Dez River prevented gene flow. River disconnectivity, followed by geographic distance, contributed mostly to genetic differentiation between populations. Environmental niche and landscape resistance had no significant influence. Though a significant difference between climatic niches occupied by each clade at the landscape-scale, habitat niches at the local-scale were equivalent. 'Niche similarity analysis' supported niche conservatism between the two clades despite the southward shift in the climatic niche of the Southern clade. Accordingly, populations of different clades may occupy different climatic niches within their ancestral niche. Our results indicate that the change of climatic conditions of geographically and genetically separated populations does not necessarily result in the shift of an ecological niche.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Elmer, Professor Kathryn
Authors: Goudarzi, F., Hemami, M.-R., Rancilhac, L., Malekian, M., Fakheran, S., Elmer, K. R., and Steinfartz, S.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Scientific Reports
Publisher:Nature Research
ISSN:2045-2322
ISSN (Online):2045-2322
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 The Authors
First Published:First published in Scientific Reports 9(1):6239
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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