Identification of a contact zone and hybridization for two subspecies of the American pika (Ochotona princeps) within a single protected area.

Abstract excerpt

Genetic variation is the basis upon which natural selection acts to yield evolutionary change. In a rapidly changing environment, increasing genetic variation should increase evolutionary potential, particularly for small, isolated populations. However, the introduction of new alleles, either through natural or human-mediated processes, may have unpredictable consequences such as outbreeding depression. In this...

Topics

• Animals
• Climate
• Colorado
• Conservation of Natural Resources
• Crosses, Genetic
• Female
• Gene Flow
• Genetic Variation
• Genetics, Population
• Hybridization, Genetic
• Lagomorpha