Genetic Structure and Gene Flow in Eastern Grey Kangaroos in an Isolated Conservation Reserve
Dispersal is a key process for population persistence, particularly in fragmented landscapes. Connectivity between habitat fragments can be easily estimated by quantifying gene flow among subpopulations. However, the focus in ecological research has been on endangered species, typically excluding sp...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Diversity |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/11/570 |
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| author | Miriam A. Zemanova Daniel Ramp |
| author_facet | Miriam A. Zemanova Daniel Ramp |
| author_sort | Miriam A. Zemanova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Dispersal is a key process for population persistence, particularly in fragmented landscapes. Connectivity between habitat fragments can be easily estimated by quantifying gene flow among subpopulations. However, the focus in ecological research has been on endangered species, typically excluding species that are not of current conservation concern. Consequently, our current understanding of the behaviour and persistence of many species is incomplete. A case in point is the eastern grey kangaroo (<i>Macropus giganteus</i>), an Australian herbivore that is subjected to considerable harvesting and population control efforts. In this study, we used non-invasive genetic sampling of eastern grey kangaroos within and outside of the Mourachan Conservation Property to assess functional connectivity. In total, we genotyped 232 samples collected from 17 locations at 20 microsatellite loci. The clustering algorithm indicated the presence of two clusters, with some overlap between the groups within and outside of the reserve. This genetic assessment should be repeated in 10–15 years to observe changes in population structure and gene flow over time, monitoring the potential impact of the planned exclusion fencing around the reserve. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:34:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f18972308f7d4e54a2781fff030af042 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:34:00Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diversity |
| spelling | doaj.art-f18972308f7d4e54a2781fff030af0422023-11-22T23:04:16ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182021-11-01131157010.3390/d13110570Genetic Structure and Gene Flow in Eastern Grey Kangaroos in an Isolated Conservation ReserveMiriam A. Zemanova0Daniel Ramp1Centre for Compassionate Conservation, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, AustraliaCentre for Compassionate Conservation, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, AustraliaDispersal is a key process for population persistence, particularly in fragmented landscapes. Connectivity between habitat fragments can be easily estimated by quantifying gene flow among subpopulations. However, the focus in ecological research has been on endangered species, typically excluding species that are not of current conservation concern. Consequently, our current understanding of the behaviour and persistence of many species is incomplete. A case in point is the eastern grey kangaroo (<i>Macropus giganteus</i>), an Australian herbivore that is subjected to considerable harvesting and population control efforts. In this study, we used non-invasive genetic sampling of eastern grey kangaroos within and outside of the Mourachan Conservation Property to assess functional connectivity. In total, we genotyped 232 samples collected from 17 locations at 20 microsatellite loci. The clustering algorithm indicated the presence of two clusters, with some overlap between the groups within and outside of the reserve. This genetic assessment should be repeated in 10–15 years to observe changes in population structure and gene flow over time, monitoring the potential impact of the planned exclusion fencing around the reserve.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/11/570connectivityhabitat fragmentationmarsupialsnon-invasive genetic sampling |
| spellingShingle | Miriam A. Zemanova Daniel Ramp Genetic Structure and Gene Flow in Eastern Grey Kangaroos in an Isolated Conservation Reserve Diversity connectivity habitat fragmentation marsupials non-invasive genetic sampling |
| title | Genetic Structure and Gene Flow in Eastern Grey Kangaroos in an Isolated Conservation Reserve |
| title_full | Genetic Structure and Gene Flow in Eastern Grey Kangaroos in an Isolated Conservation Reserve |
| title_fullStr | Genetic Structure and Gene Flow in Eastern Grey Kangaroos in an Isolated Conservation Reserve |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic Structure and Gene Flow in Eastern Grey Kangaroos in an Isolated Conservation Reserve |
| title_short | Genetic Structure and Gene Flow in Eastern Grey Kangaroos in an Isolated Conservation Reserve |
| title_sort | genetic structure and gene flow in eastern grey kangaroos in an isolated conservation reserve |
| topic | connectivity habitat fragmentation marsupials non-invasive genetic sampling |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/11/570 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT miriamazemanova geneticstructureandgeneflowineasterngreykangaroosinanisolatedconservationreserve AT danielramp geneticstructureandgeneflowineasterngreykangaroosinanisolatedconservationreserve |