Major
Biology
Department
Biological Sciences
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Stephen C. Richter
Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
Recommended Citation
Leigh, Dana B., "Conservation Genetics of Crawfish Frogs at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge" (2014). University Presentation Showcase Event. 13.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2014/2014/13
Abstract
Crawfish frogs (Lithobates areolatus) have been experiencing significant population declines across their range over the last several decades due to widespread habitat loss and fragmentation. The Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge (BONWR) in southeastern Indiana, the easternmost locality of crawfish frog populations, houses recently discovered populations of crawfish frogs. We studied these populations to (1) determine the diversity and distribution of genetic variability among populations at BONWR and compare this to other genetic studies of crawfish frogs and (2) examine how landscape features and distance affect the distribution of genetic variability. We used 7 microsatellite loci to genotype frogs collected from eight sites on BONWR from the 2012 and 2013 breeding seasons. Data will be presented in the context of how landscape features and distance between sampling sites impact genetic variation and distribution across the landscape.
Presentation format
Poster
Expected Graduation Date
2014
Conservation Genetics of Crawfish Frogs at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge
Crawfish frogs (Lithobates areolatus) have been experiencing significant population declines across their range over the last several decades due to widespread habitat loss and fragmentation. The Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge (BONWR) in southeastern Indiana, the easternmost locality of crawfish frog populations, houses recently discovered populations of crawfish frogs. We studied these populations to (1) determine the diversity and distribution of genetic variability among populations at BONWR and compare this to other genetic studies of crawfish frogs and (2) examine how landscape features and distance affect the distribution of genetic variability. We used 7 microsatellite loci to genotype frogs collected from eight sites on BONWR from the 2012 and 2013 breeding seasons. Data will be presented in the context of how landscape features and distance between sampling sites impact genetic variation and distribution across the landscape.
