|
Genetic structure in the Eurasian badger from Denmark and the
Netherlands
Journal
Journal of Zoology
Volume 271 Issue 3,Pages302-309 Published Online: 18Aug2006
Authors
L. Van de Zande 1 , M. Van de Vliet 1 , C. Pertoldi 2,3
, V. Loeschcke 2 , G. Müskens 4 & R. Bijlsma 1 1 Evolutionary
Genetics, Section Population and Conservation Genetics, CEES, University
of Groningen, 9750 AA Haren, The Netherlands 2 Department of Ecology
and Genetics, University of Aarhus, Ny Munkegade, Aarhus C, Denmark 3
Department of Wildlife Ecology and Biodiversity, National Environmental
Research Institute, Kalø Grenåvej, Rønde, Denmark 4 Alterra – Centre
for Ecosystem Studies, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
Abstract
The Eurasian badger Meles meles has a wide
distribution area ranging from Japan to Ireland. In western Europe badger
habitats are severely disturbed by anthropogenic factors, leading to
fragmentation into subpopulations and formation of a metapopulation
substructuring of once continuous panmictic populations. We have examined
the genetic structure of Dutch and Danish badger populations on a
relatively small scale (within countries) and a larger scale (between
countries). The levels of genetic variation of populations were moderate
and did not differ significantly among populations (overall HO=0.30,
overall HE=0.34). Considerable genetic differentiation between the Dutch
and Danish populations was found (overall FST=0.32, mean pairwise
Dutch–Danish FST=0.42), indicating a large-scale substructuring of these
western European badger populations. Further analysis showed that the
Danish badger population can be substructured into three clusters
[P(k=3)=0.99], but the Dutch populations cluster into one more or less
panmictic population [P(k=1)=0.99] with little or no substructuring. The
presence of migration barriers, such as roads, together with the
peninsular geography of Denmark, may have led to this structuring of
badger populations. In contrast, measures that improve migration and
connection to other populations from neighboring countries may have
prevented substructuring of the Dutch badger population.
Keywords
badger • genetic differentiation • migration •
wildlife corridors .
Web site
Scientific Journals Copyright |
These are simplified abstracts of scientific papers about badgers.
Copyright in the journal article remains with the third-party copyright owner. This may be
the publisher of the journal, the organisation who commissioned the work or the researchers. For further details,
contact the publisher of the journal or the corresponding author.
Badgerland do not provide electronic or paper copies of journals.
We do not condone or encourage copyright infringement. |
|