Effects of natural and anthropogenic features on functional connectivity of anurans: a review of landscape genetics studies in temperate, subtropical and tropical species

• Published in: Journal of zoology (1987) Vol. 313; no. 3; pp. 159 - 171
• Main Authors: Covarrubias, S., González, C., Gutiérrez‐Rodríguez, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2021
• Subjects: Agricultural land; Amphibians; Anthropogenic factors; Aquatic reptiles; circuit theory; Climate change; Composition effects; Conservation; Dispersal; Dispersion; Evolution; Foraging habitats; fragmentation; frogs; Gene flow; Genetic diversity; Genetic variation; Genetics; Grasslands; Habitat loss; Introduced species; Invasive species; Land cover; Landscape; landscape ecology; landscape genetics; least cost path; Life cycle; Life cycles; Overexploitation; population genetics; Proliferation; Regions; Rivers; Specialization; Threatened species; Tropical climate; Tropical environment; Tropical environments; Urbanization
• ISSN: 0952-8369; 1469-7998
• DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12851

Habitat loss, overexploitation, the presence of invasive species, climate change and the proliferation of diseases continue to put at risk anuran species that represent 90% of all amphibians. Biphasic life cycle, habitat specialization to oviposit and forage, low dispersal abilities, and permeable skin make anurans particularly susceptible to the effect of landscape composition and configuration on their capacity to move through the landscape (connectivity). Limited connectivity can result in reduced gene flow, low genetic variation and high genetic structuring. Therefore, identifying landscape elements that promote or limit the dispersal of anurans is fundamental to propose conservation plans that allow maintaining areas that enhance connectivity to assure the evolutionary potential of the species by preserving genetic diversity. Here, we reviewed studies evaluating the effect of natural and anthropogenic elements of the landscape on gene flow across temperate, tropical and subtropical landscapes. Our results suggest that roads have the strongest negative effect on connectivity resistance in anurans from temperate regions. Urbanization, fragmentation, and land cover change into agriculture and grasslands are other anthropogenic landscape elements that provide resistance to connectivity in anurans worldwide. In temperate and tropical regions, rivers are the most important natural element negatively affecting connectivity, having a stronger effect in the tropics. Contrary, streams and forests cover promote connectivity in all regions. We provide a review of the growing progress of landscape genetics in this group of vulnerable organisms and highlight the importance of considering this research field for the conservation of the threatened ecosystems that anurans inhabit. Habitat loss, overexploitation, the presence of invasive species, climate change and the proliferation of diseases continue to put at risk anuran species that represent 90% of all amphibians. We reviewed studies evaluating the effect of natural and anthropogenic elements of the landscape on gene flow across temperate, tropical and subtropical landscapes. Roads have the strongest negative effect on connectivity resistance in anurans from temperate regions. Urbanization, fragmentation, and land cover change into agriculture and grasslands provide resistance to connectivity in anurans worldwide. In temperate and tropical regions, rivers are the most important natural element negatively affecting connectivity, having a stronger effect in the tropics. Streams and forests cover promote connectivity in all regions. Here, we provide a review of the growing progress of landscape genetics in this group of vulnerable organisms and highlight the importance of considering this research field for the conservation of the threatened ecosystems that anurans inhabit.\