PARENT SESSION

Genetics/Evolution 1 -- Session Chair: Hopi Hoekstra-- University Center, Kate Buchanan Room

GENETIC STRUCTURE AND GENE FLOW IN THE CAROLINA NORTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL (GLAUCOMYS SABRINUS COLORATUS). Arlena M. Wartell. Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.

ABSTRACT- The Carolina northern flying squirrel Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus is a rare, federally-listed endangered subspecies that exhibits an island-like distribution on high elevation mountains in the southern Appalachian region. Both natural and anthropogenic habitat alterations have caused these populations to become increasingly isolated, and because flying squirrels have limited dispersal abilities and narrow habitat requirements, these populations are expected to show restricted gene flow and signatures of genetic isolation. Tissue and hair samples have been collected from over 276 individuals through winter nest box surveys and live-trapping conducted from 2002 to 2004 in seven mountain ranges spanning the subspecies' range. Of the 23 microsatellite primer pairs examined, nine loci appear polymorphic in G. s. coloratus. These markers have been tested on a subset of individuals representing seven regional populations. Average heterozygosity among the populations was 49% with 2-11 alleles per locus. The overall homozygote excess suggests substructuring among populations and possibly inbreeding within populations. These DNA markers are further examined at two spatial scales, geographically distinct regional populations and subpopulations within regional populations, to characterize intra and interpopulation genetic variation, structure, and gene flow. These data will be linked to habitat and landscape characteristics to infer how these genetic parameters relate to factors such as habitat size, distance to other populations, habitat configuration and fragmentation, as well as to the subspecies' regional evolutionary history. These analyses will be used to evaluate conservation units for management and to identify potentially suitable habitat that may act as stepping stones to link existing populations.

KEY WORDS: population genetics, habitat fragmentation, glaucomys sabrinus coloratus, southern Appalachians