rivers as barriers to dispersal

[Robin Leech]

At Kamloops, BC, there was for a very long time, no bridge across the South
Thompson River.  There were ground squirrels on the south side at Kamloops,
but none across the river.  Eventually, a bridge was built.  In short order,
there were ground squirrels on the north bank.
Robin Leech
----- Original Message -----
From: James Bergdahl, Conservation Biology Center <bergdahl at WOLFENET.COM>
To: <TAXACOM at USOBI.ORG>
Sent: Monday, November 08, 1999 11:44 AM
Subject: rivers as barriers to dispersal


I would like to assess the level of interest of wildlifers in participating
in a future symposium focusing on "rivers as barriers to dispersal". Rivers
and their riparian habitat zones are commonly considered corridors for
dispersal (e.g. the conservation biology literature), yet for some organisms
rivers define abrupt boundaries in geographic range. For instance, after
many years of field work I have been able to document this phenomena in a
few Pacific Northwest carabid beetles, including some semi-aquatic
streamside habitat specialists. Some of you may have documented similar
distribution patterns you wish to share. Much of the literature I have been
able to find on this topic focuses on vertebrate species in the Neotropics,
and to some extent North American salamanders, however there must be
significant regional literature I am overlooking and certainly much local
anecdotal information.

Please send email to me if you are interested. Thanks.

James Bergdahl
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY CENTER
7330 23rd Ave. NE
Seattle, WA  98115
Email:  bergdahl at wolfenet.com
ph:  206.523.0580
fx:  206.523.4314
cell:  206.300.3977