Elusive does not always equal rare: genetic assessment of a protected Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) population in Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Farrar VS, Edwards T, Bonine KE. 2017. Elusive does not always equal rare: genetic assessment of a protected Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) population in Saguaro National Park, Arizona. Amphibia-Reptilia. 38:1-14
Population genetic baselines for species perceived to be at-risk are crucial for monitoring population trends and making well-informed management decisions. This study characterized the genetic status of a population of Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum), a large venomous lizard native to deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, by sampling 100 individuals in the Sonoran Desert upland habitat at Saguaro National Park, Arizona. Eighteen microsatellite markers were used, along with sequence data from mitochondrial DNA, to examine genetic diversity, estimate effective population size, and assess demographic history. Despite suburban development adjacent to the study area, we observed high genetic diversity with uninhibited gene flow within this protected population. Though considered an elusive and thus potentially rare species, data reveal that in this protected environment the population appears healthy and robust. Results provide an important genetic baseline for future studies and monitoring and exemplify the success of protective population measures in National Parks and under Arizona state laws. It is important for resource managers to make the distinction between rare and elusive, and this study provides a model for working with species whose populations are challenging to estimate. The positive implications of the protected status of this National Park population reinforce the benefits the National Park system has for preserving biodiversity.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Farrar, Victoria; Edwards, Taylor; Bonine, Kevin
- Units
- SAGU
- Keywords
- DNA analysis, effective population size, elusive species, genetic baseline, genetics, Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum, Helodermatidae, microsatellites, mitochondrial DNA, panmixia, resource management decisions, RMD, Saguaro National Park, Sonoran Desert