The Western Hercules beetle (Dynastes grantii) is endemic to the highland forest habitats of southwestern USA and northern Mexico. The habitats harbor many endemic species, but are being threatened by rapid climate change and urban development. In this study, the genetic structure of D. grantii populations from southwestern USA was investigated. Specifically, genomic data from double-digest RADseq (ddRADseq) libraries were utilized to test whether geographically distant populations from the Mogollon Rim (Arizona [N = 12 individuals] and New Mexico [N = 10 individuals]) are genetically structured. The study also estimated the effective population size of the Mogollon Rim populations based on genetic diversity. The results indicated that the two geographic populations from the Mogollon Rim were not genetically structured. A population size reduction was detected since the end of the last glacial period, which coincided with a reduction of forest habitat in the study area. The results implied that the connectivity and the size of highland forest habitats in the Mogollon Rim could have been the major factors shaping the population genetic structure and demographic history of D. grantii. The Western Hercules beetle could be a useful flagship species for local natural history education and to promote the conservation of highland forest habitats.

中文翻译：

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西方大力神甲虫，Dynastes grantii（鞘翅目，金龟科）的全新世种群下降和保护意义

西部大力神甲虫 (Dynastes grantii) 是美国西南部和墨西哥北部高原森林栖息地的特有物种。栖息地拥有许多特有物种，但正受到快速气候变化和城市发展的威胁。在这项研究中，研究了美国西南部 D. grantii 种群的遗传结构。具体而言，来自双摘要 RADseq (ddRADseq) 文库的基因组数据被用于测试地理上远离 Mogollon Rim（亚利桑那 [N = 12 个人] 和新墨西哥 [N = 10 个人]）的种群是否具有遗传结构。该研究还根据遗传多样性估计了 Mogollon Rim 种群的有效种群规模。结果表明，来自 Mogollon Rim 的两个地理种群没有遗传结构。自上次冰期结束以来，检测到种群数量减少，这与研究区域的森林栖息地减少相吻合。结果表明，Mogollon Rim 高地森林栖息地的连通性和大小可能是影响 D. grantii 种群遗传结构和人口历史的主要因素。西部大力神甲虫可以成为当地自然历史教育和促进高原森林栖息地保护的有用旗舰物种。结果表明，Mogollon Rim 高地森林栖息地的连通性和大小可能是影响 D. grantii 种群遗传结构和人口历史的主要因素。西部大力神甲虫可以成为当地自然历史教育和促进高原森林栖息地保护的有用旗舰物种。结果表明，Mogollon Rim 高地森林栖息地的连通性和大小可能是影响 D. grantii 种群遗传结构和人口历史的主要因素。西部大力神甲虫可以成为当地自然历史教育和促进高原森林栖息地保护的有用旗舰物种。