Comparing Genetic and Field-Based Estimates of Population Connectivity in Marbled Salamanders, Ambystoma opacum

Abstract

Estimating connectivity is key for maintaining population viability for pond-breeding amphibians, especially in areas where habitat alterations occur. Here, we used genetic data (mi-crosatellites) to estimate connectivity of marbled salamanders, Ambystoma opacum, among three focal ponds and compared it to field data (capture-mark-recapture estimates) of movement among the same ponds. In addition, we derived least-cost dispersal paths from genetic data and compared them to field connectivity estimates. We found that genetic and field estimates of dispersal were generally congruent, but field-based paths were more complex than genetic-based paths. While both methods complement each other in identifying important source-sink metapopulation dynamics to inform efficient conservation management plans, field data provide a more biologically accurate understanding of the spatial movement of individual marbled salamanders.