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9/28/2018 | 2:10 PM - 2:25 PM | The Genetic Network of Greater Sage-Grouse: Range-Wide Identification of Keystone Hubs of Connectivity | Eccles Conference Center Auditorium

The Genetic Network of Greater Sage-Grouse: Range-Wide Identification of Keystone Hubs of Connectivity

Genetic networks can characterize complex genetic relationships among groups of individuals. Network models can be used to rank groups of individuals (aka, nodes) by their importance to the overall genetic connectivity of the population. Greater sage-grouse leks must remain connected by genetic exchange for population persistence. We genotyped 5,950 individuals, from 1,200 greater sage-grouse leks distributed across the species’ geographic range. We modeled the genetic network of the species, finding small world network structure. The network was composed of hubs—nodes greatly facilitating gene flow across the network—and spokes—nodes that rely on hubs to stay connected to the network. The greatest genetic diversity was within the hubs. We also identified keystone nodes: hubs very important for maintaining connectivity despite low local population size. Hub and keystone nodes were located across the species’ range. Nodes with importance to network-wide connectivity tended to be more central: especially in northeastern, central, and southwestern Wyoming and eastern Idaho. Tightly interrelated groups of nodes existed in Montana, northern Wyoming, Utah, and eastern Nevada. Conserving both hub nodes and keystone nodes will conserve genetic diversity and should maintain network connections to ensure a resilient and viable population over time.

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Presenters/Authors

Todd Cross (), University of Montana, tbcross@fs.fed.us ;