Data from: A genome‐wide search for local adaptation in a terrestrial‐breeding frog reveals vulnerability to climate change

Terrestrial‐breeding amphibians are likely to be vulnerable to warming and
drying climates, as their embryos require consistent moisture for
successful development. Adaptation to environmental change will depend on
sufficient genetic variation existing within or between connected
populations. Here, we use Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) data to
investigate genome‐wide patterns in genetic diversity, gene flow and local
adaptation in a terrestrial‐breeding frog (Pseudophryne guentheri) subject
to a rapidly drying climate and recent habitat fragmentation. The species
was sampled across 12 central and range‐edge populations (192 samples),
and strong genetic structure was apparent, as were high inbreeding
coefficients. Populations showed differences in genetic diversity, and one
population lost significant genetic diversity in a decade. More than 500
SNP loci were putatively under directional selection, and 413 of these
loci were correlated with environmental variables such as temperature,
rainfall, evaporation and soil moisture. One locus showed homology to a
gene involved in the activation of maturation in Xenopus oocytes, which
may facilitate rapid development of embryos in drier climates. The low
genetic diversity, strong population structuring and presence of local
adaptation revealed in this study shows why management strategies such as
targeted gene flow may be necessary to assist isolated populations to
adapt to future climates.