Data from: Microgeographic maladaptive performance and deme depression in response to roads and runoff

Despite theoretical understanding and empirical detection of local
adaptation in natural environments, our knowledge of such divergence in
fragmented habitats remains limited, especially in the context of
microgeographic spatial scales and contemporary time scales. I used a
combination of reciprocal transplant and common garden exposure
experiments to evaluate potential microgeographic divergence in a
pool-breeding amphibian occupying a landscape fragmented by roads. As
indicated by reduced rates of survival and increased rates of
malformation, I found evidence for maladaptation in road adjacent
populations. This response is in direct counterpoint to recently described
local adaption by a cohabiting species of amphibian. These results suggest
that while divergence might commonly follow habitat modification, the
direction of its outcome cannot be generalized even in identical habitats.
Further, maladaptive responses can be associated with a more generalized
depression effect that transcends the local environment. Alongside recent
reports, these results suggest that maladaptive responses may be an
emerging consequence of human-induced environmental change. Thus future
studies should carefully consider the population unit as a key level for
inference.