RESUMEN
The evolutionary potential of a species mainly depends on the level of genetic variation in their populations. Maintenance of gene variation enables populations to adapt more quickly to environmental changes. The geographical gaps also influence the distribution and evolutionary history of many mountain frogs in the world. Hence, a sound knowledge in population genetic structure of a species will help understand its population dynamics and develop conservation strategies. In the context of facing threats to the amphibian fauna of Western Ghats due to habitat loss, we used both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA markers to investigate the genetic structure of an endemic frog species of the Western Ghats (Indirana semipalmata) with restricted distribution. The present study showed the importance of mountain gaps in shaping the species' structuring in the Western Ghats. Though a high genetic diversity was observed for the species when considering a single unit in the southern Western Ghats, the restricted gene flow on/between either side of the Shencottah gap with genetic clustering of the sampled populations may warrant a unique management plan for the species. The habitat fragmentation of the Western Ghats through anthropogenic activities may result in severe setbacks to the survival of the species in the future.
Asunto(s)
Anuros/clasificación , Núcleo Celular/genética , ADN/genética , Mitocondrias/genética , Animales , Anuros/genética , Conservación de los Recursos Naturales , Evolución Molecular , Flujo Génico , Genética de Población , India , Filogenia , Análisis de Secuencia de ADNRESUMEN
The genus Indirana Laurent, 1986 is composed of 14 species which are endemic to the Western Ghats of India. We isolated and evaluated ten polymorphic microsatellite markers in 32 individuals of Indirana semipalmata. The cross amplification test was successful in two Indirana (I. brachytarsus and I. yadera) and one Walkerana (W. leptodactyla, previously known as I. leptodactyla) species endemic to the Western Ghats. The identified markers will be useful for further studies on the conservation genetics of endemic frog species of Western Ghats.
Asunto(s)
Anuros/genética , Repeticiones de Microsatélite/genética , Animales , Marcadores Genéticos/genética , India , Filogenia , Polimorfismo Genético/genética , Especificidad de la EspecieRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Samples of endemic endangered frog species, Pseudophilautus wynaadensis, were assessed with the aid of mitochondrial DNA markers in order to study the pattern of intra specific genetic variation of samples lying south of Palghat gap of the Western Ghats, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Partial mitochondrial CO1 and 16S gene sequences were obtained for 21 specimens. RESULTS: Phylogenetic analysis revealed that samples from either side of Palghat gap belonged to a single species. The population of frogs south of Palghat gap showed high haplotype diversity and low nucleotide diversity. The relative gene heterogeneity statistics were low and the gene flow estimates were very high. The AMOVA results showed that 96.05% of the total variations were within the populations. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that high genetic diversity with relatively little geographic differentiation was found in the populations of P. wynaadensis lying south of Palghat gap.
