Premium
Gene flow estimates in Utah's cougars imply management beyond Utah
Author(s) -
Sinclair Elizabeth A.,
Swenson Eric L.,
Wolfe Michael L.,
Choate David C.,
Bates Bill,
Crandall Keith A.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
animal conservation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.111
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1469-1795
pISSN - 1367-9430
DOI - 10.1017/s1367943001001305
Subject(s) - biological dispersal , inbreeding , geography , census , effective population size , gene flow , population , ecology , genetic diversity , demography , biology , sociology
We present results from a study of genetic variation in Utah's cougar population. Estimates were based on data for 50 animals at nine microsatellite loci with five individuals sampled for each of ten management units throughout Utah. Levels of variation were moderate (average genetic diversity across populations was estimated to be 0.4687 for all 50 individuals), and comparable with other large mammals. But this level of variation for the microsatellite loci translated into an inbreeding effective population size of only 571 animals, much lower than the current estimates of census sizes of around 2000‐3000. A lack of differentiation among the sampled populations across Utah (average N e m = 6.2) indicates that gene flow occurs over a large area. Since cougars are capable of movement beyond the Utah state borders (and certainly across management units), a better understanding of migration rates and patterns of dispersal will be achieved by sampling a much larger geographic region incorporating much of the western USA. Successful management and conservation of this species will then require a far more integrated approach, involving agencies across a number of states, as opposed to current management practices involving individual units within states.