Population structure and genetic diversity of greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in fragmented landscapes at the northern edge of their range

• Published in: Conservation genetics Vol. 12; no. 2; pp. 527 - 542
• Main Authors: Bush, Krista L, Dyte, Christopher K, Moynahan, Brendan J, Aldridge, Cameron L, Sauls, Heather S, Battazzo, Angela M, Walker, Brett L, Doherty, Kevin E, Tack, Jason, Carlson, John, Eslinger, Dale, Nicholson, Joel, Boyce, Mark S, Naugle, David E, Paszkowski, Cynthia A, Coltman, David W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands 01.04.2011; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal Genetics and Genomics; Anthropogenic factors; Biodiversity; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Birds; Centrocercus urophasianus; Conservation Biology/Ecology; Declining population; Dispersal; Ecology; Endangered & extinct species; Evolutionary Biology; Genetic diversity; Genetic structure; genetic variation; Life Sciences; Periphery; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Population genetics; Population structure; Research Article; River valleys; Rivers; Sage-grouse; Subpopulations; Threatened species; Wildlife; Wildlife conservation; USA, Montana, Milk R; USA, Wyoming; USA, Montana; Canada, Saskatchewan; Canada, Alberta; Genetic diversity; Sage-grouse; Genetic structure; Declining population; Periphery
• ISSN: 1566-0621; 1572-9737
• DOI: 10.1007/s10592-010-0159-8

Range-edge dynamics and anthropogenic fragmentation are expected to impact patterns of genetic diversity, and understanding the influence of both factors is important for effective conservation of threatened wildlife species. To examine these factors, we sampled greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) from a declining, fragmented region at the northern periphery of the species' range and from a stable, contiguous core region. We genotyped 2,519 individuals at 13 microsatellite loci from 104 leks in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana, and Wyoming. Birds from northern Montana, Alberta, and Saskatchewan were identified as a single population that exhibited significant isolation by distance, with the Milk River demarcating two subpopulations. Both subpopulations exhibited high genetic diversity with no evidence that peripheral regions were genetically depauperate or highly structured. However, river valleys and a large agricultural region were significant barriers to dispersal. Leks were also composed primarily of non-kin, rejecting the idea that leks form because of male kin association. Northern Montana sage-grouse are maintaining genetic connectivity in fragmented and northern peripheral habitats via dispersal through and around various forms of fragmentation.