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Rare long-distance dispersal of the Island Night Lizard, Xantusia riversiana, maintains high diversity in a fragmented environment

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Abstract

The Island Night Lizard (Xantusia riversiana) is endemic to three of the Channel Islands off the coast of California, USA. Introduced species such as goats, sheep, and cats have profoundly affected the fauna and flora of the islands for over 150 years, but most of these non-native species have been recently removed. We measured the distribution of genetic diversity in Island Night Lizards across San Nicolas Island using DNA microsatellites to assess the impacts of historical habitat change on effective population size, gene flow, and population divergence; to provide baseline data for future monitoring of genetic diversity; and to provide recommendations to inform the restoration of degraded habitat. Despite a history of profound anthropogenic habitat disturbance, genetic diversity was high within sites, and there was no evidence of population bottlenecks. Divergence between sites was extraordinarily high, as expected for this sedentary species. Landscape resistance modeling using circuit theory showed that unsuitable habitat is relatively permeable to gene flow compared to suitable habitat, and yet populations separated by very short geographic distances remain genetically distinct. We found no evidence of a need for short-term intervention such as artificial translocations to maintain genetic diversity. Instead, we suggest that management should focus on maintaining, improving, and increasing habitat, especially in creating patches of habitat to link existing sites.

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Acknowledgements

The United States Navy and the U.S. Geological Survey provided funding. Bill Hoyer, Martin Ruane, and Grace Smith of Naval Base Ventura County provided funding, logistical support, and helpful discussions. Pat Kleeman, Brian Halstead, Lisa Gelczis, Jake Ahlers, and Sky Bischoff Mattson (USGS) assisted with fieldwork. Steve Junak shared data on the island’s vegetation. Terry Arundel contributed to GIS analyses. Joan Fellers reviewed the manuscript. This work was conducted under Endangered Species permits issued by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to the US Navy and Gary Fellers.

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Author notes

  1. Ryan P. O’Donnell

    Present address: Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ, 85086, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center, 2255 N. Gemini Drive, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001, USA

    Ryan P. O’Donnell & Charles A. Drost

  2. U.S. Geological Survey, Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes, CA, 94956, USA

    Gary M. Fellers

  3. Remote Sensing/Geographic Information Systems Laboratory, College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, 5275 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322-5275, USA

    Benjamin A. Crabb

  4. Wildland Resources Department, Utah State University, 5230 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322-5230, USA

    Karen E. Mock

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  1. Ryan P. O’Donnell
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Correspondence to Ryan P. O’Donnell.

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O’Donnell, R.P., Drost, C.A., Fellers, G.M. et al. Rare long-distance dispersal of the Island Night Lizard, Xantusia riversiana, maintains high diversity in a fragmented environment. Conserv Genet 19, 803–814 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-018-1055-x

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