Dissertation Research: Ecology and Population Structure: are Species Convergent in Habitat use also Convergent in Degree of Population Subdivision?

Washington University, Saint Louis MO

Investigators

Abstract

Molecular markers (mitochondrial DNA sequences) are used to quantify population genetic structure in geographically widespread species of Anolis lizards (anoles) on each of four islands in the Greater Antilles. Caribbean anoles provide an outstanding opportunity for testing the impact of ecological specialization on genetic structures of otherwise similar species using replicated observations. Similar kinds of habitat specialists have evolved independently in anoles on each of the four islands in the Greater Antilles. These specialists differ ecologically but are similar with regard to other factors thought to affect population structure (i.e. life history, geographic distribution, age of origin, reproductive behavior). A species' genetic structure has important consequences for many aspects of its biology, including its probability of giving rise to new species or going extinct. The results of this study assess the importance of habitat specialization for production and maintenance of biodiversity in ecological communities, and the priority of habitat specialization as a consideration in conservation practices.