E-Thesis 259 views 55 downloads
Short Legs Racing Towards Extinction: The Landscape Genetics of UK Hedgehogs / SAMANTHA SHOVE
Swansea University Author: SAMANTHA SHOVE
Abstract
Biodiversity has been in global declines since the 1940s with industrialised nations including the UK seeing significant declines driven by habitat loss and fragmentation, land use changes and barrier effects, among others. These declines have not only resulted in the loss of species and ecosystem d...
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Swansea, Wales, UK
2024
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Research |
| Degree name: | MRes |
| Supervisor: | Nichols, Hazel |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66098 |
| Abstract: |
Biodiversity has been in global declines since the 1940s with industrialised nations including the UK seeing significant declines driven by habitat loss and fragmentation, land use changes and barrier effects, among others. These declines have not only resulted in the loss of species and ecosystem diversity but also genetic diversity, a key component to species survival. The relationship between genetic loss and landscape changes has been demonstrated for a variety of specialist species but is less well established for generalist species, such as the West European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). This species has seen significant declines and changes in distribution across the UK since the 1950s. Although the drivers of these changes are not well understood, anthropogenic changes in the landscape such as modified agricultural practices and increased road traffic have been proposed to play a part. I used microsatellite genetic analysis to investigate the impact of landscape features on the genetic structure of hedgehogs across South Wales. To understand how landscape features might impact on population genetics, I developed landscape resistance mapping for habitats, roads, watercourses and geographic distance, producing surfaces representing the ‘resistance’ of movement of hedgehogs through South Wales. I then combined these with the genetic data to test for landscape effects on genetic relatedness using circuit theory. I detected weak genetic structure, with four genetic clusters, but many individuals were admixed. The landscape genetic analysis showed no significant effect from any of the resistance variables on genetic relatedness, including geographic distance, suggesting that gene flow within the sample population is not impacted by landscape resistance. I discuss the potential reasons for this along with other possible causes for the genetic structure observed. This study demonstrates the importance of understanding the interactions between a species and landscape to ensure successful conservation management and appropriate consideration within ecological consultancy. |
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| Keywords: |
Hedgehog, landscape, genetics, conservation, biodiversity, genetic diversity |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |