Hierarchical population structure of a rare lagomorph indicates recent fragmentation has disrupted metapopulation function

An understanding of genetic diversity and population structure is important to the conservation of declining species within fragmented habitats. These issues become critical for small, isolated populations, in which stochasticity is a main driver of genetic change and possibly of population extinction. In eastern New York and New England the endemic New England cottontail has declined due to habitat loss and fragmentation. As a species that...