Data from: Genetic differences in the response to landscape fragmentation by a habitat generalist, the bobcat, and a habitat specialist, the ocelot

The ecology of a species strongly influences genetic variation and population structure. This interaction has important conservation implications because taxa with low dispersal capability and inability to use different habitats are more susceptible to anthropogenic stressors. Ocelots (Leopardus pardalis albescens) and bobcats (Lynx rufus texensis) are sympatric in Texas and northeastern Mexico; however, their ecology and conservation status are markedly different. We used 10 microsatellite loci and a 397-bp segment of the mitochondrial control region to examine how historical and ecological differences in these two species have influenced current patterns of genetic diversity in a landscape heavily altered by anthropogenic activities. Substantially higher genetic diversity (heterozygosity and haplotype diversity) and population connectivity was observed for bobcats in comparison to ocelots. The level of divergence among proximate ocelot populations (< 30 km) was greater than between bobcat populations separated by >100 km. Ocelot populations in the US have never recovered from reductions experienced during the 20th century, and their low genetic variation and substantial isolation are exacerbated by strong preference for dense native thornshrub and avoidance of open habitat. In contrast, despite continued legal harvesting and frequent road-related mortality, bobcats have maintained wide distribution, high abundance, and population connectivity. Our study illustrates that sympatric species with a similar niche can still have sufficient ecological differences to alter their response to anthropogenic change. Sensitive species, such as the ocelot, require additional conservation actions to sustain populations. Ecological differences among species occupying a similar guild are important to consider when developing conservation plans.

物种的生态学特征会强烈影响其遗传变异与种群结构。这种相互关系具有重要的保护生物学意义：扩散能力较弱且无法利用多样生境的生物类群，更易受到人为活动胁迫的影响。虎猫（Leopardus pardalis albescens）与短尾猫（Lynx rufus texensis）在德克萨斯州及墨西哥东北部地区同域分布，但二者的生态学特征与保护现状却存在显著差异。本研究依托10个微卫星位点（microsatellite loci）与一段397 bp的线粒体控制区（mitochondrial control region）序列，探究在受人为活动强烈改造的景观中，这两个物种的历史与生态学差异如何塑造了其当前的遗传多样性格局。相较于虎猫，短尾猫展现出显著更高的遗传多样性（杂合度与单倍型多样性）与种群连通性。地理间距不足30 km的虎猫种群间的遗传分化程度，甚至高于间隔超过100 km的短尾猫种群。美国境内的虎猫种群始终未能恢复至20世纪种群缩减前的水平，而它们对本土浓密灌丛的强烈偏好以及对开阔生境的回避行为，进一步加剧了种群的低遗传变异水平与严重隔离状态。与之形成对比的是，尽管短尾猫仍面临持续的合法猎捕与频发的道路致死风险，但其种群依然保持着广泛的分布范围、较高的种群数量与良好的连通性。本研究表明，即便生态位相似的同域分布物种，仍可因足够显著的生态学差异，对人为活动造成的环境变化呈现出截然不同的响应模式。诸如虎猫这类敏感物种，需要额外的保护措施以维持其种群存续。在制定保护规划时，需充分考量同资源种团内不同物种间的生态学差异。