Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Linking Genetics and Ecology: Reconstructing the History of Relict Populations of an Endangered Semi-Aquatic Beetle

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Relict Species

Abstract

Population ecology and genetic studies are complementary approaches to address central questions of conservation biology and can provide information for the protection of biodiversity and the improvement of conservation measures which may otherwise be unattainable. This contribution highlights the benefit of combining diverse approaches for obtaining knowledge on a relict species and for implementing suitable conservation measures. We use the example of Carabus variolosus, a flightless European beetle that is listed as a Species of Community Interest in the EU Habitats and Species Directive. Ongoing investigations established the species’ habitat choice, population ecology and population genetics, and yield first results from mitochondrial DNA analysis (COI). In small isolated habitat patches we found small sized populations that are genetically strongly differentiated even if adjacent. Evidence for a number of glacial refugia was found. However, all C. v. nodulosus populations studied North of the Alps share the same haplotype. We will discuss our findings in the light of the history of the species, of its taxonomic classification and of their implications for conservation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Assmann T, Weber F (1997) On the allozyme differentiation of Carabus punctatoauratus Germar (Coleoptera, Carabidae). J Zool Syst Evol Res 35:33–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Avise JC (1996) Toward a regional conservation genetics perspective: phylogeography of faunas in the Southeastern United States. In: Avise JC, Hamrick JL (eds) Conservation genetics: case histories from nature. Chapman & Hall, New York, pp 431–470

    Google Scholar 

  • Avise JC (2000) Phylogeography: the history and formation of species. Harvard University press, Cambridge, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Barloy J, Lie P, Prunar F (2004) Inventaire et répartition géographique des espèces du genre Carabus (Coleoptera, Carabidae) au Banat roumain. L’Entomologiste 60:63–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Böhme MU, Schneeweiß N, Fritz U, Schlegel M, Berendonk TU (2007) Small edge populations at risk: genetic diversity of the green lizard (Lacerta viridis viridis) in Germany and implications for conservation management. Conserv Genet 8:555–563

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Breuning S (1926) Über Carabus variolosus Fabr. Koleopterol Rundsch 12:19–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Brower AVZ (1994) Rapid morphological radiation and convergence among races of the butterfly Heliconius erato inferred from patterns of mitochondrial-DNA evolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 91:6491–6495

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Casale A, Sturani M, Vigna Taglianti A (1982) Coleoptera, Carabidae. I. Introduzione, Paussinae, Carabinae. Fauna d’Italia 18:1–499

    Google Scholar 

  • Deffontaine V, Libois R, Kotlík P, Sommer R, Nieberding C, Paradis E, Searle JB, Michaux JR (2005) Beyond the Mediterranean peninsulas: evidence of central European glacial refugia for a temperate forest mammal species, the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus). Mol Ecol 14:1727–1739

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deuve T (1994) Une classification du genre Carabus. Sciences Nat, Venette

    Google Scholar 

  • Drees C, Matern A, Assmann T (2008) Red light enables direct observation of nocturnal carabid beetles in their habitat. In: Penev L, Erwin TL, Assmann T (eds) Back to the roots and back to the future? Towards a new synthesis between taxonomic, ecological and biogeographical approaches in carabidology. Pensoft, Sofia-Moscow, pp 409–423

    Google Scholar 

  • Duckett CN, Kjer KM (2003) Cladistic analysis of the Oedionychines of Southern Brazil (Galerucinae: Alticini) based on two molecular markers. In: Furth DG (ed) Special topics in leaf beetle biology: proceeding of 5th International symposium on the chrysomelidae. Pensoft, Sofia, pp 117–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Excoffier L, Laval G, Schneider S (2005) Arlequin ver. 3.0: An integrated software package for population genetics data analysis. Evolutionary Bioinformatics Online 1:47–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Fryxell PA (1962) The “relict species” concept. Acta Biotheoretica 15:105–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garnier S, Alibert P, Audiot P, Prieur B, Rasplus J-Y (2004) Isolation by distance and sharp discontinuities in gene frequencies: implications for the phylogeography of an alpine insect species, Carabus solieri. Mol Ecol 13:1883–1897

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gersdorf E, Kuntze K (1957) Zur Faunistik der Carabiden Niedersachsens. Ber Naturhist Ges Hannover 103:101–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilpin ME, Soulé ME (1986) Minimum viable populations: processes of species extinction. In: Soulé ME (ed) Conservation biology: the science of scarcity and diversity. Sinauer, Sunderland, MA, pp 19–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Gröning J, Krause S, Hochkirch A (2007) Habitat preferences of an endangered insect species, Cepero’s ground-hopper (Tetrix ceperoi). Ecol Res 22:767–773

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hebert PDN, Penton EH, Burns JM, Janzen DH, Hallwachs W (2004) Ten species in one: DNA barcoding reveals cryptic species in the neotropical skipper butterfly Astraptes fulgerator. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101:14812–14817

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hebert PDN, Ratnasingham S, DeWaard JR (2003) Barcoding animal life: cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 divergences among closely related species. Proce R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 270:S96-S99

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt GM (1999) Post-glacial re-colonization of European biota. Biol J Linn Soc 68:87–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt GM (2001) Speciation, hybrid zones and phylogeography - or seeing genes in space and time. Mol Ecol 10:537–549

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Isaac NJB, Mallet J, Mace GM (2004) Taxonomic inflation: its influence on macroecology and conservation. TREE 19:464–469

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jolly MF (1965) Explicit estimates from capture-recapture data both with death and immigration - a stochastic model. Biometrika 52:224–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Kotlík P, Deffontaine V, Mascheretti S, Zima J, Michaux JR, Searle JB (2006) A Northern glacial refugium for bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus). Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 103:14860–14864

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Larsson SG (1939) Entwicklungstypen und Entwicklungszeiten der daenischen Carabiden. Entomol Medd 20:273–562

    Google Scholar 

  • Magri D, Vendramin GG, Comps B, Dupanloup I, Geburek T, Gömöry D, Latalowa M, Litt T, Paule L, Roure JM, Tantau I, Van der Knaap WO, Petit RJ, De Beaulieu J-L, Jackson ST (2006) A new scenario for the Quaternary history of European beech populations: palaeobotanical evidence and genetic consequences. New Phytol 171:199–221

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Matern A, Assmann T (2004) Nationale Verantwortlichkeit und Rote Listen - Carabus nodulosus als Fallbeispiel für die Zusammenführung und die damit verbundenen Probleme. Natursch u Biol Vielfalt 8:235–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Matern A, Drees C, Desender K, Gaublomme E, Paill W, Assmann T (2009) Genetic diversity and population structure of the endangered insect species Carabus variolosus in its Western distribution range: implications for conservation. Conserv Genet 10:391–405. doi:10.1007/s10592-008-9606-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matern A, Drees C, Kleinwächter M, Assmann T (2007) Habitat modelling for the conservation of the rare ground beetle species Carabus variolosus (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in the riparian zones of headwaters. Biol Conserv 136:618–627

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matern A, Drees C, Meyer H, Assmann T (2008) Population ecology of the rare carabid beetle Carabus variolosus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in North-West Germany. J Insect Conserv 12:591–601. doi:10.1007/s10841-007-9096-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morati J, Huet M (1995) Présence de Carabus (Hygrocarabus) nodulosus Creutzer, 1799, dans le Jura français (Coleoptera, Carabidae). Bull Soc Entomol Fr 100:144

    Google Scholar 

  • Moritz C (1994) Defining “evolutionary significant units” for conservation. TREE 9:373–375

    Google Scholar 

  • Moritz C (1995) Uses of molecular phylogenies for conservation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B 349:113–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moritz C, Cicero C (2004) DNA barcoding: promise and pitfalls. PLoS Biol 2:e354

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Palsbøll PJ, Bérubé M, Allendorf FW (2007) Identification of management units using population genetic data. TREE 22:11–16

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pavicevic D, Mesaros G (1997) Carabini of Jugoslavia and adjacent regions (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Catalogus Faunae Jugoslaviae. Encyclopaedia. Ecolibri-Bionet, Belgrad

    Google Scholar 

  • Pawlaczyk P, Kepel A, Jaros R, Dzieciolowski R, Wylegala P, Szubert A, Sidlo PO (2004) Natura 2000 Shadow List in Poland - Detailed Analysis of Habitat Directive Implementation, Syntethic Approach to Bird Directive Implementation. Klub Przyrodników, Polish Society for the Protection of Birds, The Polish Society for Nature Protection “Salamandra” & WWF Poland, Warszawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Perraudin W (1960) Présence de Hygrocarabus variolosus nodulosus (Creutzer) en Forêt-Noire. Mitteilung des Badischen Landesvereins für Naturkunde und Naturschutz e.V. 7: 447–450

    Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard JK, Stephens M, Donnelly P (2000) Inference of population structure using multilocus genotype data. Genetics 155:945–959

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ranius T (2006) Measuring the dispersal of saproxylic insects: a key characteristic for their conservation. Popul Ecol 48:177–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raymond M, Rousset F (1995) GENEPOP (version 3.2): population genetics software for exact tests and ecumenicism. J Hered 86:248–249

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinig WF (1938) Elimination und Selektion - Eine Untersuchung über Merkmalsprogressionen bei Tieren und Pflanzen auf genetisch- und historisch-chorologischer Grundlage. Gustav Fischer, Jena

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryder OA (1986) Species conservation and systematics: the dilemma of subspecies. TREE 1:9–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Saitou N, Nei M (1987) The Neighbor-joining method: a new method for reconstructing phylogenetic trees. Mol Biol Evol 4:406–425

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmeller DS, Merilä J (2007) Demographic and genetic estimates of effective population and breeding size in the amphibian Rana temporaria. Conserv Biol 21:142–151

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz MK, Luikart G, Waples RS (2007) Genetic monitoring as a promising tool for conservation and management. TREE 22:25–33

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Seber GAF (1965) A note on the multiple-recapture census. Biometrika 52:249–259

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Simon C, Frate F, Beckenbach A, Crespi B, Liu H, Flook P (1994) Evolution, weighting and phylogenetic utility of the mitochondrial gene sequences and a compilation of conserved polymerase chain reaction primers. Ann Ent Soc Am 87:651–701

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sturani M (1962) Osservazioni e ricerche biologiche sul genere Carabus Linnaeus (Sensu Lato) (Coleoptera Carabidae). Mem Soc Entomol Italiana 41:85–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Sturani M (1963) Nuove ricerche biologiche e morfologiche sul Carabus (Hygrocarabus) variolosus Fabricius (Coleoptera Carabidae). Boll Zool Agrar Bachicoltura Serie II:25–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Tamura K, Dudley J, Nei M, Kumar S (2007) MEGA4: molecular evolutionary genetics analysis (MEGA) software version 4.0. Mol Biol Evol 24:1596–1599

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • The Council of the European Communities (2004) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - Consolidated Text. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities

    Google Scholar 

  • Turin H, Penev L, Casale A, Arndt E, Assmann T, Makarov KV, Mossakowski D, Szél G, Weber F (2003) Species accounts. In: Turin H, Penev L, Casale A (eds) The genus carabus in Europe - a synthesis. Pensoft Publishers and European Invertebrate Survey, Sofia, pp 151–283

    Google Scholar 

  • Vogler AP, DeSalle R (1994) Diagnosing units of conservation management. Conserv Biol 8:354–363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vogler AP, DeSalle R, Assmann T, Knisley CB, Schultz TD (1993) Molecular population genetics of the endangered tiger beetle Cicindela dorsalis (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae). Ann Entomol Soc Am 86:142–152

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber F, Weber I (1966) Wiederentdeckung des Laufkäfers Carabus variolosus F. im Arnsberger Wald. Nat Heimat 26:69–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodcock MR, Kippenhan MG, Knisley CB, Foster JA (2007) Molecular genetics of Cicindela (Cylindera) terricola and elevation of C. lunalonga to species level, with comments on its conservation status. Conserv Genet 8:865–877

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zagwijn WH (1992) Migration of vegetation during the Quaternary in Europe. Courier Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg 153:9–20

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Božidar Drovenik, Daniela Eisenacher, Jens Günther, Michael Franzen, Istvan Mathé, Wolfgang Paill, Laszlo Rakosy, Annette Ehrhardt-Renken, and Marco Zimmermann for their assistance in sampling and valuable exchange of information and to Dietrich Mossakowski for providing us with an additional specimen from Romania. For technical assistance in the lab we thank Marianne Peters, Beatrice Dames, and Gunnar Siedenschnur. We cordially thank Anna Papadopoulou at the Natural History Museum London, who helped with mtDNA sequencing and analysis. We also thank an anonymous reviewer for valuable comments on the manuscript. A. Matern was funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Ecology and Environmental Chemistry, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Scharnhorststraße 1, D-21335, Lüneburg, Germany

    Andrea Matern, Claudia Drees & Thorsten Assmann

  2. Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK

    Alfried P. Vogler

  3. Division of Biology, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK

    Alfried P. Vogler

Authors
  1. Andrea Matern
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Claudia Drees
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alfried P. Vogler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Thorsten Assmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrea Matern .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Musée National d´Histoire Naturelle Luxembourg, 25, rue Münster, 2160, Luxembourg

    Jan Christian Habel

  2. Institute of Ecology and Environmental Chemistry, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Scharnhorststr. 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany

    Thorsten Assmann

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Matern, A., Drees, C., Vogler, A.P., Assmann, T. (2010). Linking Genetics and Ecology: Reconstructing the History of Relict Populations of an Endangered Semi-Aquatic Beetle. In: Habel, J.C., Assmann, T. (eds) Relict Species. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-92160-8_14

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation