Abstract
Two basic paradigms in population genetics are pivotal to conservation biology. First, the amount of genetic variation within a population decreases as population size decreases. Second, the loss of alleles due to genetic drift is increased in small populations. To understand evolutionary processes taking place in small populations we need estimates on 1) adaptability of small populations 2) how well does variation measured in neutral markers reflect the evolutionary potential in fitness-related traits, 3) the role of natural selection vs. genetic drift. In the present project, we will investigate the threatened Uppland pool frog population to 1) measure the amount of quantitative genetic variation in larval life history traits within and between subpopulations. 2) determine the importance of natural selection vs. genetic drift and compare these results to those obtained in the same pond system with another ranid species with large genetic variation. 3) measure the past evolutionary response and the potential to adapt to changing climate. 4) compare molecular variation in adaptive and neutral characters by quantifying variation in the major histocompatibility complex. This research will add significantly to our understanding of evolutionary processes taking place in small populations, and contribute to the discussion on adaptive variation vs. neutral markers in conservation genetics. Furthermore, a new set of adaptive molecular markers will be developed for amphibians.
Sweden