Climate change threatens unique genetic diversity within the Balkan biodiversity hotspot – The case of the endangered stone crayfish

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 39, P. e02301 - e02301

Published: Oct. 3, 2022

The stone crayfish Austropotamobius torrentium is globally endangered due to anthropogenic pressure on its habitats, climate change and the invasive species, particularly signal Pacifastacus leniusculus. Aiming guide A. conservation within hotspot of genetic diversity in western Balkan Peninsula, we combined population genetics species distribution models (SDMs) reveal impact P. leniusculus diversity. Population analyses based newly developed microsatellites revealed moderate within-population high differentiation among populations, reflecting isolated populations with limited gene flow. Alongside strong structuring, discovered level inbreeding coefficient indicating homozygote excess majority populations. SDMs results predicted substantial reductions suitable habitats for by 2070; 80 % currently habitat be lost under high‐warming scenario. Obtained indicated that 44 and/or unique diversity, including three highly divergent geographically restricted evolutionary lineages, are located areas become unsuitable future, highlighting their vulnerability extinction. Further, considerable decrease future suitability leniusculus, suggesting represents greater threat torrentium. Our study highlights importance conserving remnant other, through assisted migration mixing could help overcome risks maladaptation, thus enabling withstand ongoing change.

Language: Английский

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Folgerungen für den Schutz der Biodiversität

Springer eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 587 - 843

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

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