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PloS one2012; 7(10); e47858; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047858

Explaining spatial heterogeneity in population dynamics and genetics from spatial variation in resources for a large herbivore.

Abstract: Fine-scale spatial variation in genetic relatedness and inbreeding occur across continuous distributions of several populations of vertebrates; however, the basis of observed variation is often left untested. Here we test the hypothesis that prior observations of spatial patterns in genetics for an island population of feral horses (Sable Island, Canada) were the result of spatial variation in population dynamics, itself based in spatial heterogeneity in underlying habitat quality. In order to assess how genetic and population structuring related to habitat, we used hierarchical cluster analysis of water sources and an indicator analysis of the availability of important forage species to identify a longitudinal gradient in habitat quality along the length of Sable Island. We quantify a west-east gradient in access to fresh water and availability of two important food species to horses: sandwort, Honckenya peploides, and beach pea, Lathyrus japonicas. Accordingly, the population clusters into three groups that occupy different island segments (west, central, and east) that vary markedly in their local dynamics. Density, body condition, and survival and reproduction of adult females were highest in the west, followed by central and east areas. These results mirror a previous analysis of genetics, which showed that inbreeding levels are highest in the west (with outbreeding in the east), and that there are significant differences in fixation indices among groups of horses along the length of Sable Island. Our results suggest that inbreeding depression is not an important limiting factor to the horse population. We conclude that where habitat gradients exist, we can anticipate fine-scale heterogeneity in population dynamics and hence genetics.
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Publication Date: 2012-10-31 PubMed ID: 23118900PubMed Central: PMC3485331DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047858Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research explores the spatial variation in population dynamics and genetic relatedness in a population of feral horses on Sable Island, Canada. The study links these variations to differences in habitat quality along different island segments.

Research Overview

  • The researchers aimed to understand the effect of spatial variation in resources on population dynamics and genetics in large herbivores.
  • They used the population of feral horses in Sable Island, Canada as a case study.
  • The hypothesis proposed that the spatial patterns in genetics observed for these horses resulted from spatial variation in population dynamics, which in turn were influenced by the spatial heterogeneity in underlying habitat quality.

Methodology

  • They conducted a hierarchical cluster analysis of water sources as well as an indicator analysis of the availability of important forage species to identify longitudinal gradient in habitat quality along the length of Sable Island.
  • They identified the availability of two important food species for horses: the sandwort (Honckenya peploides), and the beach pea (Lathyrus japonicas).
  • Based on the habitat quality, the horse population was divided into three groups occupying different island segments (west, central and east) that varied markedly in their local dynamics.

Findings

  • The researchers noticed that the horse density, body condition, survival and reproduction of adult females were highest in the west of the island, followed by the central and eastern areas.
  • They correlated these findings with a previous analysis of genetics, which showed that inbreeding levels were highest in the west with outbreeding observed in the east, and there were significant differences in fixation indices among groups of horses along the length of Sable Island.
  • Interestingly, the results suggested that inbreeding depression was not a significant limiting factor to the horse population.

Conclusion

  • The research concluded that in environments where habitat gradients exist, variations in population dynamics and genetics at micro levels can be anticipated.
  • These findings could have applications in understanding other large herbivore populations and their genetic and population dynamics based on resource availability and habitat quality.

Cite This Article

APA
Contasti AL, Tissier EJ, Johnstone JF, McLoughlin PD. (2012). Explaining spatial heterogeneity in population dynamics and genetics from spatial variation in resources for a large herbivore. PLoS One, 7(10), e47858. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0047858

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 7
Issue: 10
Pages: e47858
PII: e47858

Researcher Affiliations

Contasti, Adrienne L
  • Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Tissier, Emily J
    Johnstone, Jill F
      McLoughlin, Philip D

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Canada
        • Ecosystem
        • Female
        • Genetic Variation
        • Herbivory / genetics
        • Herbivory / physiology
        • Horses / genetics
        • Horses / physiology
        • Inbreeding
        • Microsatellite Repeats
        • Population Density
        • Population Dynamics
        • Water

        Conflict of Interest Statement

        The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 7 times.
        1. Manning JA, McLoughlin PD. Environmental and demographic drivers of male mating success vary across sequential reproductive episodes in a polygynous breeder. Ecol Evol 2019 May;9(9):5106-5117.
          doi: 10.1002/ece3.5066pubmed: 31110665google scholar: lookup
        2. Gold S, Regan CE, McLoughlin PD, Gilleard JS, Wilson AJ, Poissant J. Quantitative genetics of gastrointestinal strongyle burden and associated body condition in feral horses. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019 Aug;9:104-111.
          doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.03.010pubmed: 31011533google scholar: lookup
        3. Debeffe L, Poissant J, McLoughlin PD. Individual quality and age but not environmental or social conditions modulate costs of reproduction in a capital breeder. Ecol Evol 2017 Aug;7(15):5580-5591.
          doi: 10.1002/ece3.3082pubmed: 28811876google scholar: lookup
        4. Richard E, Simpson SE, Medill SA, McLoughlin PD. Interacting effects of age, density, and weather on survival and current reproduction for a large mammal. Ecol Evol 2014 Oct;4(19):3851-60.
          doi: 10.1002/ece3.1250pubmed: 25614799google scholar: lookup
        5. Marjamäki PH, Contasti AL, Coulson TN, McLoughlin PD. Local density and group size interacts with age and sex to determine direction and rate of social dispersal in a polygynous mammal. Ecol Evol 2013 Sep;3(9):3073-82.
          doi: 10.1002/ece3.694pubmed: 24101995google scholar: lookup
        6. Ahn S, Redman EM, Gavriliuc S, Bellaw J, Gilleard JS, McLoughlin PD, Poissant J. Mixed strongyle parasite infections vary across host age and space in a population of feral horses. Parasitology 2024 Oct;151(12):1299-1316.
          doi: 10.1017/S0031182024001185pubmed: 39663810google scholar: lookup
        7. Stothart MR, McLoughlin PD, Medill SA, Greuel RJ, Wilson AJ, Poissant J. Methanogenic patterns in the gut microbiome are associated with survival in a population of feral horses. Nat Commun 2024 Jul 22;15(1):6012.
          doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-49963-xpubmed: 39039075google scholar: lookup
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