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Fine-scale genetic structure of an endangered population of the Mormon metalmark butterfly (Apodemia mormo) revealed using AFLPs

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Abstract

We investigated the genetic structure and diversity of an endangered Canadian population of the Mormon metalmark butterfly (Apodemia mormo) using, for the first time, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers generated from non-lethal samples of butterfly wing tissue. Based on 326 loci, our analyses show a high degree of spatial genetic structure within the population, indicating limited gene flow, despite a small geographic range (<20 km). We found that geographic distance, particularly measured along valley bottoms, restricts gene flow within this population. However, other potential barriers to movement and genetic exchange were also identified, in particular urban development. Overall, the population exhibited low levels of genetic diversity. Future management should focus on increasing gene flow between the most isolated sub-populations, and through urban areas, by preserving and restoring as many habitat patches as possible.

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Acknowledgments

We thank O. Dyer, J. Hobbs, D. St-John, L. Reiss, S. Seddon, and K. White for their field assistance, and J. Donald for help with map construction. We also thank R. Breckels, D. Koscinski, S. Maxwell, G. Rasic and two anonymous reviewers for their helpful advice and expertise regarding analysis and editing of earlier versions of the manuscript. This research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Government of Ontario, the University of Western Ontario, Okanagan University College, Environment Research Western, and a partnership of the World Wildlife Fund and Environment Canada.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 5B7, Canada

    Lindsay A. Crawford & Nusha Keyghobadi

  2. I.K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences, University of British Columbia Okanagan, 3333 University Way, Kelowna, BC, VIV 1V7, Canada

    Sylvie Desjardins

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  1. Lindsay A. Crawford
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Correspondence to Lindsay A. Crawford.

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Crawford, L.A., Desjardins, S. & Keyghobadi, N. Fine-scale genetic structure of an endangered population of the Mormon metalmark butterfly (Apodemia mormo) revealed using AFLPs. Conserv Genet 12, 991–1001 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-011-0202-4

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