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Population structure and management of invasive cats on an Australian Island
Author(s) -
Koch Katrin,
Algar David,
Schwenk Klaus
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
the journal of wildlife management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1937-2817
pISSN - 0022-541X
DOI - 10.1002/jwmg.739
Subject(s) - gene flow , population , mainland , geography , ecology , biology , wildlife , genetic diversity , mtdna control region , invasive species , introduced species , genetic structure , zoology , demography , haplotype , biochemistry , sociology , gene , genotype
Invasive predators have a major impact on endemic island species; therefore, information about invasion dynamics are essential for implementing successful control measures. The introduction of feral cats onto Dirk Hartog Island, Western Australia, has had devastating effects, with presumably 10 of 13 native terrestrial mammal species being lost because of predation. Detailed records of historical introduction events were lacking; therefore, we analyzed genetic variation of the current population to gain information about past invasion dynamics and current gene‐flow patterns. We analyzed the genetic structure and diversity of feral cats on the island and 2 mainland populations (Peron Peninsula and Steep Point). Analysis of mitochondrial DNA (ND5 and ND6) showed 2 primary haplotypes that we attribute to 2 main introduction events. PairwiseG ″ STvalues indicated high connectivity on the island but some isolation to the mainland populations. Mitochondrial and nuclear data showed no evidence for genetic differentiation of island and mainland populations; however, kinship analyses rejected evidence for on‐going immigration of members of the current cat populations. Overall, our data suggested that gene flow following the main introduction events ceased some years ago. Because current island populations appear to be reproductively isolated from mainland populations, a sufficiently large‐scale eradication measure might successfully diminish feral cat populations long‐term. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.