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Can low densities of carnivores result in genetic depletion? An investigation within French polecat populations
Author(s) -
Lodé T.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of animal breeding and genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.689
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1439-0388
pISSN - 0931-2668
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2006.00585.x
Subject(s) - loss of heterozygosity , biology , genetic diversity , inbreeding , mustela putorius , zoology , genetic variation , genetic structure , population , ecology , genetics , allele , gene , demography , sociology
Summary Carnivores as top predators are commonly found in relatively low densities even in optimal habitats. Despite a lack of empirical studies, it could be suspected that long‐term low density could result in genetic depletion. The genetic structure of European polecat Mustela putorius natural populations was investigated by allozyme electrophoresis in five distinct areas. Density estimates significantly differed among sites from 0.17 to 0.83 individuals/km 2 with an average of 0.56 individuals per km 2 , resulting in a scattered distribution. Genetic structure varied among distinct populations both in number of polymorphic loci and heterozygosity. Polecats from Brittany revealed a very low observed heterozygosity ( H O = 0.028) whereas mean heterozygosity reached H O = 0.072 in Brière. That the lowest heterozygosity levels and highest inbreeding coefficient F IS were significantly associated with the lowest densities suggests that low densities may affect populations of carnivores. Both the loss of polymorphic loci and the reduction in heterozygosity rates suggest a density‐dependent effect and population density can be arguably regarded as a factor affecting genetic diversity in top carnivores.