On the edge : a spatial and temporal analysis of genetic variation for endangered, peripheral American badger populations
department or school: Arts and Sciences, Irving K. Barber School of (Okanagan)
department or school: Biology, Department of (Okanagan)
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCO
creator: Ford, Brett
issued: 2017-09-29T16:52:59Z
issued: 2017
related degree: Master of Science - MSc
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: Peripheral populations are often characterized by small population size and low genetic diversity, with many at risk of extirpation. Threats to these populations may be even more pronounced in human-modified landscapes and areas of recent recolonization, that further reduce resiliency to environmental change. The western American badger (Taxidea taxus jeffersonii) is an endangered mammal in Canada inhabiting the sparse grasslands of south-central British Columbia (BC). In addition to being situated at the northwestern edge of the species’ range, recent human development and vehicle-induced mortalities have limited population recovery, causing unknown consequences on the genetic variation of these peripheral populations. By collecting mitochondrial haplotypic data and microsatellite genotypic data from roughly 300 samples in BC and neighboring regions, we assess how geographical isolation, anthropogenic disturbance, and glaciation history have shaped the genetic structure of peripheral American badger populations in this region. We discovered that the genetic structure of BC American badger populations epitomizes expectations for peripheral populations, with low levels of genetic diversity, significant differentiation, and population genetic structure all intensifying with an increase in marginality. We find evidence that these patterns, which vastly contrast those observed in central populations, are likely being influenced by geographical and anthropogenic features, that were both significantly correlated with genetic distance between individuals in western BC. Roadways were identified as potential barriers to gene flow across various scales and analyses. We also provide evidence for several glacial refugia impacting population genetic structure across the American badger range, two of which may have existed in British Columbia and the greater Pacific Northwest. Taken together, our study suggests that American badgers in British Columbia exemplify dynamics of perip…
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/63142
note: ON THE EDGE: A SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF GENETIC VARIATION FOR ENDANGERED, PERIPHERAL AMERICAN BADGER POPULATIONS by Brett Ford B.Sc. [Hon], St. Lawrence University, 2014 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE in THE COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Biology) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Okanagan) September 2017 © Brett Ford, 2017 ii The following individuals certify that they have read, and recommend to the College of Graduate Studies for acceptance, a thesis/dissertation entitled: ON THE EDGE: A SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF GENETIC VARIATION FOR ENDANGERED, PERIPHERAL AMERICAN BADGER POPULATIONS submitted by Brett Ford in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science . Dr. Michael Russello, Department of Biology, University of British Columbia Okanagan Supervisor Dr. Karl Larsen, Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Thompson Rivers University Supervisory Committee Member Dr. Lael Parrott, Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographic Sciences, University of British Columbia Okanagan Supervisory Committee Member Dr. Robert Young, Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographic Sciences, University of British Columbia Okanagan University Examiner iii Abstract Peripheral populations are often characterized by small population size and low genetic diversity, with many at risk of extirpation. Threats to these populations may be even more pronounced in human-modified landscapes and areas of recent recolonization, that further reduce resiliency to environmental change. The western American badger (Taxidea taxus jeffersonii) is an endangered mammal in Canada inhabiting the sparse grasslands of south-central British Columbia (BC). In addition to being situated at the northwestern edge of the species’ range, recent human development and vehicle-induced mortalities have limited population recovery, causing unknown consequences on the genetic variation of these per…
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
date issued: 2017-11
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0355836
language: eng
degree discipline: Biology
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
rights URI: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
scholar level: Graduate
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/63142