Contemporary gene flow and the spatio-temporal genetic structure
of subdivided newt populations (Triturus cristatus, T. marmoratus)

Jehle, R; Wilson, GA; Arntzen, JW; Burke, T

Abstract

Gene flow and drift shape the distribution of neutral genetic diversity in
metapopulations, but their local rates are difficult to quantify. To identify gene
flow between demes as distinct from individual migration, we present a
modified Bayesian method to genetically test for descendants between an
immigrant and a resident in a nonmigratory life stage. Applied to a
metapopulation of pond-breeding European newts (Triturus cristatus,
T. marmoratus) in western France, the evidence for gene flow was usually
asymmetric and, for demes of known census size (N), translated into
maximally seven reproducing immigrants. Temporal sampling also enabled
the joint estimation of the effective demic population size (Ne) and the
immigration rate m (including nonreproductive individuals). Ne ranged
between 4.1 and 19.3 individuals, Ne/N ranged between 0.05 and 0.65 and
always decreased with N; m was estimated as 0.19–0.63, and was possibly
biased upwards. We discuss how genotypic data can reveal fine-scale
demographic processes with important microevolutionary implications.

Citation

of subdivided newt populations (Triturus cristatus, T. marmoratus). Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 18, 619-628. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2004.00864.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2005
• Deposit Date: Oct 30, 2009
• Journal: Journal Of Evolutionary Biology
• Print ISSN: 1010-061X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• Pages: 619-628
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2004.00864.x
• Keywords: amphibians;; Bayesian statistics;; effective population size;; gene flow;; metapopulation genetics;; microsatellites;; newts;; Triturus.
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2004.00864.x