Eastern Kentucky University
Population Status and Genetic Variability of Two Remaining Populations of Endangered Dusky Gopher Frogs, Rana sevosa
Institution
Eastern Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Stephen Richter
Abstract
As the human population increases in size, humans continue to encroach on the natural landscape. This reduction and fragmentation of available habitat leads to an overall decline of populations of non-human organisms. The most severe consequence of this is complete geographic isolation of populations. Isolation leads to genetically reduced populations with no ability to exchange genes or to be recolonized following local extinctions. The Dusky Gopher Frog, Rana sevosa, is an endangered species with only two populations remaining. These two populations in southern Mississippi are isolated by a distance of approximately 32 km. The population in Harrison County has had demographic and genetic data collected over the last two decades and is located on protected land in De Soto National Forest. Conversely, the population in Jackson County has unknown status because of its recent discovery and is located on unprotected land. The objectives of this research were 1) to assess the status of the Jackson County population by examining genetic variability and testing for historic population declines and 2) to determine genetic differences between the two populations. Genetic analyses were performed by genotyping individuals of each population for six microsatellite DNA loci. Genetic variability within and between each population was calculated and used to assess status of the species. The results of this research will aid in conservation efforts. One potential is to transfer eggs from the two populations to historic breeding sites. One application of the data obtained is to determine whether we should mix individuals from these populations.
Population Status and Genetic Variability of Two Remaining Populations of Endangered Dusky Gopher Frogs, Rana sevosa
As the human population increases in size, humans continue to encroach on the natural landscape. This reduction and fragmentation of available habitat leads to an overall decline of populations of non-human organisms. The most severe consequence of this is complete geographic isolation of populations. Isolation leads to genetically reduced populations with no ability to exchange genes or to be recolonized following local extinctions. The Dusky Gopher Frog, Rana sevosa, is an endangered species with only two populations remaining. These two populations in southern Mississippi are isolated by a distance of approximately 32 km. The population in Harrison County has had demographic and genetic data collected over the last two decades and is located on protected land in De Soto National Forest. Conversely, the population in Jackson County has unknown status because of its recent discovery and is located on unprotected land. The objectives of this research were 1) to assess the status of the Jackson County population by examining genetic variability and testing for historic population declines and 2) to determine genetic differences between the two populations. Genetic analyses were performed by genotyping individuals of each population for six microsatellite DNA loci. Genetic variability within and between each population was calculated and used to assess status of the species. The results of this research will aid in conservation efforts. One potential is to transfer eggs from the two populations to historic breeding sites. One application of the data obtained is to determine whether we should mix individuals from these populations.