Population genetic and population viability analyses are powerful instruments that can be used to evaluate the status o populations of conservation concern. However, these two methods are rarely integrated. To better understand the status of the last know Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) population in Washington state, USA, and investigate the potential for translocation efforts we analyzed 96 genetic samples from 2004 and 294 genetic samples from 2014 by using seven microsatellite loci and integrate population genetic data with population viability models. Partitioning of genetic diversity indicated the presence of thre subpopulations in the area, aligning with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife subunit designation within the watershed. I both years, heterozygosity and average number of alleles per locus were low for all subpopulations (0.20–0.36 and 1.86–2.50, respectively) Point estimates of gene flow out of two of the three subpopulations decreased from 2004 to 2014 based on G″ST (a measure of geneti differentiation) and migration estimates from BayesAss. Summed effective population size for the entire area by using tempora estimates was estimated to be small, with large amounts of uncertainty (sum of 98.4 individuals, 95% confidence interval: 15.6–infinit individuals). Population viability models using genetic estimates of number of adults and migration rates suggest that adults may be th optimal life history stage for successful direct translocation; however, because only metamorphs can be routinely collected, translocatio with head-starting was modeled and active management strategies may be necessary to establish new populations.
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16 December 2020
Integrating Genetics and Metapopulation Viability Analysis to Inform Translocation Efforts for the Last Northern Leopard Frog Population in Washington State, USA
Travis Seaborn,
Caren S. Goldberg
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Journal of Herpetology
Vol. 54 • No. 4
December 2020
Vol. 54 • No. 4
December 2020