Species and Genetic Diversity of Invertebrates in an Agricultural Landscape
In conjunction with a descriptive study investigating the invertebrate species diversity in remaining fragmented forests of Western NSW, we are investigating the genetic diversity among populations of a selected species of wolf spider.
By investigating patterns in genetic diversity of invertebrate species between different remnant types (e.g. large remnants or road-side reserves) we may be able to answer some questions that are important to ascertaining the management strategies for maintaining genetic diversity within invertebrates in these fragmented forests.
The types of questions we are looking at:
- Has fragmentation affected genetic variability of sub-populations?
- Is the genetic variability of sub-populations occupying small remnants lower than those of sub-populations in large reserves?
- Is the genetic composition of sub-populations linked by corridors more similar than sub-populations which are shared by the agricultural matrix?
- Is there a correlation between the patterns of genetic variability and species diversity in the various habitat configurations?
- Can patterns of genetic variability be used to assess the effect of habitat fragmentation on gene flow between sub-populations?
A 280bp fragment of cytochrome oxidase I will be analysed by SSCP and DNA sequencing to ascertain the degree of genetic variability between the fragmented populations and habitat types from the study areas.
Participants
Sarah Brown
Richard Major, Terrestial Ecology
Copyright © 2003, Australian Museum
