Dataset
Data from: Genetics of urban colonization: neutral and adaptive variation in coyotes (Canis latrans) inhabiting the New York metropolitan area
11 Feb 2019
Abstract
Theory predicts that range expansion results in genetic diversity loss in
colonizing populations. Rapid reduction of population size exacerbates
negative effects of genetic drift, while sustained isolation decreases
neutral variation. Amid this demographic change, natural selection can act
to maintain functional diversity. Thus, characterizing neutral and
functional variation is critical for disentangling the evolutionary forces
that shape genetic variation in newly established populations. Coyotes
(Canis latrans) provide an ideal study system for examining the genetic
effects of urban colonization. Capable of thriving in environments ranging
from natural to highly urbanized, this mobile carnivore recently
established a breeding population in New York City (NYC), one of the most
densely populated areas in the United States. In the present study, we
characterized neutral and functionally linked genetic diversity on a
regional scale, traversing NYC and its surrounding counties in the New
York metropolitan area. We report decreased variation and significant
genotypic differentiation in NYC coyotes following recent colonization of
this super-urban environment. In accordance with our hypotheses, we
observed evidence for a recent population bottleneck as coyotes entered
NYC. Counter to our expectations, we found only minimal support for
selection maintaining diversity at immune-linked loci. These findings
suggest that stochastic processes, such as genetic drift, are more likely
driving patterns of decreased variation in super-urban coyotes. This work
not only improves our understanding of NYC’s newest inhabitants, but also
contributes to the growing body of knowledge surrounding urban
colonization ecology. It highlights the importance of examining both
neutral and functional variation when assessing the roles of drift and
selection in newly established populations. When combined with similar
studies across diverse systems, these insights can aid wildlife management
and green design to better facilitate gene flow and maintain healthy
populations of wildlife in an increasingly urban world.
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Details
- Title
- Data from: Genetics of urban colonization: neutral and adaptive variation in coyotes (Canis latrans) inhabiting the New York metropolitan area
- Creators
- Alexandra L. DeCandia - Princeton UniversityCarol S. Henger - Fordham UniversityAmelia Krause - Princeton UniversityLinda J. Gormezano - American Museum of Natural HistoryMark Weckel - American Museum of Natural HistoryChristopher Nagy - Mianus River Gorge, 167 Mianus River Road, Bedford, NY, USAJason Munshi-South - Fordham UniversityBridgett M. VonHoldt - Princeton University
- Publisher
- Dryad
- Resource Type
- Dataset
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES)
- Other Identifier
- 991021904311104721