Friday, May 27, 2005
DNA Analysis of Oregon Slender Salamander
The Oregon slender salamander (Batrachoseps wrighti) is a terrestrial species endemic to Oregon and associated with late successional mesic forests. This habitat preference for Oregon slender salamander means that logging and other forest management practices could have an impact on the long-term persistence of this species. The Oregon slender salamander is a species of concern with respect to the Northwest Forest Management Plan, and although they can be locally abundant in mature forests, the species is rare in second growth or clearcuts. In an effort to deduce possible future effects of forest management practices on population structure and differentiation, USGS scientist Susan Haig and collaborators conducted DNA analyses on populations across their range. The goal was to investigate the population structure of Oregon slender salamander in order to assist with the development of conservation strategies. The results of these analyses suggest two distinct hypotheses that can be used to explain the data. The authors discuss the importance of distinguishing between these two hypotheses for the purpose of identifying conservation units. In addition, they suggest that the protection of habitat will likely prove critical for the long-term persistence of this species. To read more about this study and conservation implications for the Oregon slender salamander see:
Miller, M., Haig, S.M., Wagner, R.S., 2005, Conflicting patterns of genetic structure produced by nuclear and mitochondrial markers in the Oregon Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps wrighti)- implications for conservation efforts and species management: Conservation Genetics, v. 6, no. 2, p. 275-287. [Abs] [FullText] Catalog No: 1356
Contact:
Susan
Haig,
541-750-7482,
susan_haig@usgs.gov
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