The role of watersheds in determining the population structure of Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a fragmented species at risk in southwestern Nova Scotia

McEachern, L. A. (2003). The role of watersheds in determining the population structure of Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a fragmented species at risk in southwestern Nova Scotia. https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3515

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Title

The role of watersheds in determining the population structure of Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), a fragmented species at risk in southwestern Nova Scotia

Author
McEachern, Lori A.
Call Number

LE3 .A278 2003

Date

2003

Supervisor

Herman, Tom
Mockford, Steve

Degree Grantor

Acadia University

Degree Name

Master of Science

Degree Level

Honours

Discipline

Biology

Affiliation

Biology

Abstract

Blanding's turtle is a long-lived, late maturing species with strong site affinities, characteristics that conspire against the ability of this species to adapt to rapid environmental change. In Nova Scotia, Blanding's turtle is at the northeastern periphery of its range, existing only in small isolated populations. To date, two distinct populations (KNP and McGowan Lake) have been recognized and characterized. The KNP and McGowan Lake populations exist on adjacent watersheds (Mersey, Medway), and have been shown to have measurable population genetic structure, despite the small distance (<15km) separating them. We hypothesise that watershed structure is the principal influence on population genetic structure and may therefore account for the measured genetic distance between these adjacent populations. The population examined in this study (Pleasant River) exists on the Medway watershed, approximately 15km from the McGowan Lake population. Genotyping of the Pleasant River population, which shares a watershed with only the McGowan Lake population, allows for an explicit test of our hypothesis. Trapping and radio-telemetry in the Pleasant River region of Nova Scotia over a five month interval led to a sample size of n=27 in this newly discovered subpopulation. The Pleasant River population was found to be approximately as genetically differentiated from McGowan Lake (Fsi=0.04201 P=0.00750+/-0.0008) as KNP is from McGowan Lake (Fsr=0.04159 P=0.00201+/-0.0004), despite being on the same watershed. These data therefore suggest that watershed may not be the defining element in population genetic structure. Population pairwise Fsr tests performed using, the three areas of concentration in Pleasant River suggest that there is population subdivision even within this small, isolated population.

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Permanent Link

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3515

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