Circuit theory predicts gene flow in plant and animal populations
Circuit theory predicts gene flow in plant and animal populations
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DOI：
10.1073/pnas.0706568104
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发表时间：
2007-12-11
影响因子：
11.1
通讯作者：
Beier, Paul
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
McRae, Brad H.;Beier, Paul
维持广泛生态过程的连通性，如扩散和基因流动，对于在支离破碎的景观中保护濒危物种至关重要。然而，确定应该留出哪些栖息地来促进连通性一直是困难的，因为现有的模型不能纳入连接种群的多条路径的影响。在这里，我们借用电路理论来测试一个克服这一障碍的生态连接模型。该模型极大地改进了基因流动预测，因为它同时整合了所有可能的连接种群的途径。当应用于受威胁的哺乳动物和树木物种的数据时，该模型的表现一直好于传统的基因流动模型，揭示了障碍在构建种群时并不像之前认为的那样重要。电路理论现在提供了连接景观和遗传数据的最合理的方法，并在生态学、进化和保护规划方面充满希望。
Maintaining connectivity for broad-scale ecological processes like dispersal and gene flow is essential for conserving endangered species in fragmented landscapes. However, determining which habitats should be set aside to promote connectivity has been difficult because existing models cannot incorporate effects of multiple pathways linking populations. Here, we test an ecological connectivity model that overcomes this obstacle by borrowing from electrical circuit theory. The model vastly improves gene flow predictions because it simultaneously integrates all possible pathways connecting populations. When applied to data from threatened mammal and tree species, the model consistently outperformed conventional gene flow models, revealing that barriers were less important in structuring populations than previously thought. Circuit theory now provides the best-justified method to bridge landscape and genetic data, and holds much promise in ecology, evolution, and conservation planning.