TY - JOUR A1 - Dolgener, Nicola A1 - Schröder, Christiane A1 - Schneeweiss, N. A1 - Tiedemann, Ralph T1 - Genetic population structure of the Fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina in an area of high population density implications for conservation T2 - Hydrobiologia : acta hydrobiologica, hydrographica, limnologica et protistologica N2 - In this study, we report the genetic population structure of the Fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina in Brandenburg (East Germany) in the context of conservation. We analysed 298 samples originating from 11 populations in Brandenburg using mitochondrial control region sequences and six polymorphic microsatellite loci. For comparison, we included one population each from Poland and Ukraine into our analysis. Within Brandenburg, we detected a moderate variability in the mitochondrial control region (19 different haplotypes) and at microsatellite loci (9-12 alleles per locus). These polymorphisms revealed a clear population structure among toads in Brandenburg, despite a relatively high overall population density and the moderate size of single populations (100-2000 individuals). The overall genetic population structure is consistent with a postglacial colonization from South East-Europe and a subsequent population expansion. Based on genetic connectivity, we infer Management Units (MUs) as targets for conservation. Our genetic survey identified MUs, within which human infrastructure is currently preventing any genetic exchange. We also detect an unintentional translocation from South East to North West Brandenburg, presumably in the course of fish stocking activities. Provided suitable conservation measures are taken, Brandenburg should continue to harbor large populations of this critically endangered species. KW - Conservation genetics KW - Fire-bellied toad KW - Fragmentation KW - Mitochondrial DNA KW - Microsatellites KW - Translocation Y1 - 2012 UR - https://publishup.uni-potsdam.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/35883 SN - 0018-8158 VL - 689 IS - 1 SP - 111 EP - 120 PB - Springer CY - Dordrecht ER -