Increased levels of ploidy in A. texanum-dependent A. platineum (JJL) populations in eastern Illinois: conservation implications for the state endangered species

Laserna Cowal, Victoria Alessa

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113917 Copy

Description

Title

Increased levels of ploidy in A. texanum-dependent A. platineum (JJL) populations in eastern Illinois: conservation implications for the state endangered species

Author(s)

Laserna Cowal, Victoria Alessa

Issue Date

2021-12-06

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

• Paige, Ken N
• Phillips, Chris A

Committee Member(s)

Kuhns, Andrew R

Department of Study

Evolution Ecology Behavior

Discipline

Biology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Unisexual
• conservation
• Ambystoma
• polyploidy

Abstract

The silvery salamander, Ambystoma platineum, listed as endangered in Illinois, originated from the hybridization between Ambystoma jeffersonianum and Ambystoma laterale. A. platineum are triploid (JJL) and usually reproduce gynogenetically using one of the parental species as a sexual host. There is a population of A. platineum at Kickapoo State Recreation Area (KSRA), Vermillion County, Illinois that uses Ambystoma texanum as a sexual host instead and has had persistent levels of tetraploidy. This has been shown to be a result of the fertilization of unreduced A. platinuem ova by Ambystoma texanum sperm (JJLTx). More recently at least 6 other A. texanum-dependent A. platineum populations have been discovered in Vermillion and Crawford Counties, Illinois. The purpose of this study was to answer the conservation question: is hybridization in A. texanum-dependent A. platineum populations in Illinois posing a threat to the State endangered A. platineum by creating tetraploid salamanders between some A. texanum X A. platineum crosses? A. platineum tissue was collected at 11 wetlands. A. texanum specific microsatellite primers were run on the extracted tissue DNA to differentiate triploid from tetraploid salamanders between ponds and across sites. This is the first study that has looked at levels of tetraploidy across ponds at several locations in Illinois and is the first to compile longitudinal ploidy data over a span of 41 years at a single wetland (KSRA 283). Although tetraploids (JJLTx) are found at all wetlands, the relatively low levels suggest that JJLTx are not threatening the viability of triploid A. platineum. In addition, these results will provide an understanding of the distribution and abundance of tetraploids in east central Illinois, allowing for development of better strategies to protect this state endangered species.

Graduation Semester

2021-12

Type of Resource

Thesis

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113917

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Copyright 2021 Victoria Laserna Cowal

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