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Abstract
The results of field studies on three vertebrate species are presented which represent different ecological strategies and which cover different geographic extensions: The fire salamander, Salamandra salamandra, lives in mountainous areas, has only a restricted reproductive capability but a relatively high dispersal. Its populations are studied on an area of some 1,000 km2. The common frog, Rana temporaria, occupies wet lowlands and has a high reproductive capability but limited mobility. Populations were analyzed in an area of about 100 km2 The tree creeper, Certhia brachydactyla, has only a few offspring, but, as a bird, a very high dispersal potential. The central study area was a forest of only 10 km2.
These three species were studied by enzyme electrophoresis (amphibians) and DNA fingerprinting (bird). The same problems were studied in these species: (a) degree of global and local genetic differentiation of populations, (b) environmental and behavioral reasons for the observed genetic structures (c) amount and direction of gene flow.
The results corroborated in part our expectancies: The dispersal of the fire salamander is predominantly a matter of the adults. Drift of the larvae within their riverine environment are of minor importance. Gene flow between local populations of the common frog is influenced by the land use between the populations. Man‐made barriers, e.g. traffic lines and moist wetlands play an important role. The results of the tree creeper study are in accordance with ecological studies. The individuals are very stationary. In contrast to similar studies with other species, an influence of song dialects on the gene flow could not be observed.