|
Title
|
|
|
|
Surviving in isolation : genetic and phenotypic variation in fragmented populations of the Alpine salamander **Salamandra atra prenjensis** (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae)
| |
|
Author
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
| In this Ph.D., I studied geographic variation among populations of the Alpine salamander but particularly focused on the fragmented, Dinaric populations. I explored the potential role of the environment as the driver of variation and studied the impact of climatic change on species distribution. The analysis of genetic variation confirmed the unique evolutionary history of Dinaric specimens. I unraveled evolutionary relationships among studied populations and discovered two refugia in the Dinarides that secured the specie’s survival during the Pleistocene glaciations. Secondly, I studied morphological variation in: Salamandra atra atra (Alps) and Salamandra atra prenjensis (Dinarides). I found morphological differentiation between the Alpine and Dinaric populations; differentiating traits may be useful for the official description of infraspecific lineages revealed in the previous (genetic) study. Further, I studied the diet of Dinaric populations also in relation to prey availability. All populations have an equally wide dietary span that is among the largest reported for salamanders, while the amount of ingested prey is rather low compared to other salamander species; there is little evidence for local dietary differentiation probably due to the absence of drivers for change. Following, I investigated the toxin variation in four Dinaric populations and preliminarily explored whether potential variation could be explained by predation and infection risk. I found that populations differed in toxin composition but not in the produced quantity. I could not explain variation either by predation or infection risk. I also studied the variation of mass-specific water loss rate (EWL) in two populations using an experimental approach under controlled laboratory conditions (temperature and humidity). Results suggest that individuals originating from a drier environment are more resistant to water evaporation, allowing them to be more active aboveground. The increased risk of desiccation (registered in the population from the drier site) may be responsible for the observed variation in EWL rates. Finally, I use multiple modeling techniques coupled with numerous climate model projections to assess the impact of climate change on species distribution. Predictions for the Dinarides are striking; the anticipated loss of suitable land necessary for the specie’s occurrence is between 52 - 87% of Dinaric territory. Given the registered variation on multiple biological levels, S. atra signals adaptive potential. However, it remains unclear whether it will secure survival taking into consideration the detected amplitude of ongoing climate changes. This PhD provides insights considering the biology of S. atra and delivers the necessary knowledge to ensure the specie’s long-term conservation. |
| |
|
Language
|
|
|
|
English
| |
|
Publication
|
|
|
|
Antwerp
:
University of Antwerp & University of Sarajevo
,
2022
| |
|
Volume/pages
|
|
|
|
377 p.
| |
|
Note
|
|
|
|
:
Van Damme, Raoul [Supervisor]
:
Lukić Bilela, Lada [Supervisor]
| |
|
Full text (open access)
|
|
|
|
| |
|