Abstract

The Arroyo Toad (Bufo cakfomicus) is an endangered species found in rivers of southern California, USA and northern Baja California, Mexico. It has experienced population declines throughout its range, as a result of urbanization, hydrologic alterations, and overall habitat loss. As part of the Recovery Plan for this species, it was determined that more research was needed to assist in management decisions. One of those research needs was to better understand the intraspecific genetic variation within the Arroyo Toad. I conducted a range wide genetic study of the Arroyo Toad to uncover lineages and genetic variation among and between all major watersheds. This information is essential to our understanding of the species by providing data to determine recovery units independent of geographic location, delimit metapopulations, identify closely related populations for the potential augmentation of declining or extinct populations, assess dispersal between watersheds, and quantify genetic diversity throughout its distribution. In the course of this project, I also identified a more precise range of the species in Baja California, Mexico, along with the issues and challenges facing its conservation in the poorly known southern portion of its range.

LLU Discipline

Biology

Department

Biology

School

School of Science and Technology

First Advisor

Ronald Carter

Second Advisor

L. Lee Grismer

Third Advisor

Penelope Duerken-Hughes

Fourth Advisor

Robert Ford

Fifth Advisor

William Hayes

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2009

Date (Title Page)

3-2009

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Arroyo toad -- California, Southern; Arroyo toad -- Mexico -- Baja California (Peninsula); Phylogeography; Bufo -- Phylogeny; Bufo bufo; Phylogeny; Species Specificity; Genetic Speciation; Endangered Species.

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

xiii; 140

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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