The fragmentation of populations is an increasingly important problem in the conservation endangered species. Under these conditions, rare migration events may have effects for rescue small and inbred populations. However, relevance such to genetically depauperate natural not supported by empirical data. We show here that genetic diversity severely bottlenecked geographically isolated Scandinavian population grey wolves (Canis lupus), founded only two individuals, was recovered arrival a...

Wildlife populations are not static. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect individuals, which lead to spatiotemporal variation in population density range. Yet, dynamics their drivers rarely documented, due part the inherent difficulty of studying long-term population-level phenomena at ecologically meaningful scales. We studied a recolonizing large carnivore population, wolverine Gulo gulo , across Scandinavian Peninsula over nine years. fitted open-population spatial capture-recapture...

Natural populations are becoming increasingly fragmented which is expected to affect their viability due inbreeding depression, reduced genetic diversity and increased sensitivity demographic environmental stochasticity. In small highly inbred populations, the introduction of only a few immigrants may increase vital rates significantly. However, very studies have quantified long-term success individuals in natural populations. Following an episode immigration isolated, severely Scandinavian...

Significance We are experiencing the accelerated loss and reconfiguration of biological diversity. Meanwhile, those charged with natural resource management struggling to meet challenges monitoring managing wildlife populations across vast areas crisscrossed by political borders. What if, akin weather maps, we could track forecast dynamics space time? Using world’s most extensive large carnivore program, showcase application an effective tool for spatially explicit quantification population...

Genetic approaches have proved valuable to the study and conservation of endangered populations, especially for monitoring programs, there is potential further developments in this direction by extending analyses genomic level. We assembled genome wolverine (Gulo gulo), a mustelid that Scandinavia has recently recovered from significant population decline, obtained 2.42 Gb draft sequence representing >85% including >21,000 protein-coding genes. then performed whole-genome resequencing 10...

The glacial-interglacial cycles of the upper Pleistocene have had a major impact on recent evolutionary history Arctic species.To assess effects these large-scale climatic fluctuations to large, migratory mammal, we assessed phylogeography reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) as inferred from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence variation in control region.Phylogenetic relationships among haplotypes seem reflect historical patterns fragmentation and colonization rather than clear-cut extant...

Global climate fluctuated considerably throughout the Pliocene–Pleistocene period, influencing evolutionary history of a wide array species. Using phylogeographic patterns within hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus (Pallas, 1766)) complex, we evaluated consequences such environmental change for typical large mammal ranging on African savannah. Our results, as generated from two mitochondrial DNA markers (the D–loop and cytochrome b), suggest an origin in eastern Africa where species has...

Abstract The grey wolf ( Canis lupus ) was numerous on the Scandinavian peninsula in early 19th century. However, as a result of intense persecution, population declined dramatically and virtually extinct from by 1960s. We examined historical patterns genetic variability throughout period decline, 1829 to 1979. Contemporary Finnish wolves, considered be representative large eastern population, were used for comparison. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) among wolves significantly lower than Finland...

Abstract: The southern Norwegian wolverine ( Gulo gulo ) population was considered functionally extinct in the 1960s but has partly recovered recent years. Proper management of this is highly dependent on reliable estimates critical parameters such as size, sex ratio, immigration rate, and reproductive contribution from immigrants. We report a large‐scale monitoring project assessing these through genetic tagging individuals, with feces source DNA. Sixty‐eight different individuals were...

Although there is little doubt that the domestication of mammals was instrumental for modernization human societies, even basic features path towards remain largely unresolved many species. Reindeer are considered to be in early phase with wild and domestic herds still coexisting widely across Eurasia. This provides a unique model system understanding how process may have taken place. We analysed mitochondrial sequences nuclear microsatellites throughout Eurasia address origin reindeer...

1. Wolves Canis lupus L. recolonized the boreal forests in southern part of Scandinavian peninsula during late 1990s, but so far there has been little attention to its effect on ecosystem functioning. Wolf predation increases availability carcasses large prey, especially moose Alces alces L., which may lead turn a diet switch facultative scavengers such as wolverine Gulo gulo 2. Using 459 scats collected winter-spring 2001-04 for DNA identity and dietary contents, we compared inside outside...

The globally endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia is sparsely distributed throughout the rugged mountains in Asia. Its habit of preying on livestock poses a main challenge to management. In remote Phu valley northern Nepal, we obtained reliable information losses and estimated predator abundance diet composition from DNA analysis prey remains scats. annual consisted 42% livestock. Among wild prey, bharal (blue sheep/naur) Pseudois nayaur was by far most common species (92%). Two...

Human population expansion and associated degradation of the habitat many wildlife species cause loss biodiversity extinctions. The small Simen Mountains National Park in Ethiopia is one last strongholds for preservation a number afro-alpine mammals, plants birds, it home to rare endemic Walia ibex, Capra walie. narrow distribution range this as well potential competition resources with livestock, especially domestic goat, hircus, may compromise its future survival. Based on curated...

Conserving endangered species is always a complex task. Our recent study on the walia ibex Capra walie outlined that using multiple approaches, including molecular phylogeny, population genetics and ecological data, can considerably help to identify conservation units management strategies (Gebremedhin et al., 2009). Crandall (2009), Festa-Bianchet (2009) Schwartz all highlighted central point: importance of adaptive genetic variation in identification units. In near future, we believe will...

Abstract Many East African mountains are characterized by an exceptionally high biodiversity. Here we assess the hypothesis that climatic fluctuations during Plio‐Pleistocene led to ecological fragmentation with subsequent genetic isolation and speciation in forest habitats Africa. Hypotheses on savannah lineages also investigated. To do this, mitochondrial DNA sequences from a group of bush crickets consisting both inhabiting taxa were analysed relation range fragmentations indicated...

Abstract Knowledge about the phylogenetic history, genetic variation and ecological requirements of a species is important for its conservation management. Unfortunately, many this information lacking. Here we use multiple approaches (phylogenetics, population genetics modelling) to evaluate evolutionary history status Capra walie , an endangered flagship wild goat endemic Ethiopia. The analysis mitochondrial cytochrome b Y‐chromosome DNA sequences suggests that C. forms monophyletic clade...

The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus L.) is listed as extinct in Finland, endangered Sweden and critically Norway. Around 2000 there were only 40–60 adult individuals left, prompting the implementation of conservation actions, including a captive breeding programme founded from wild-caught pups. initial trials failed, probably because stress among animals, was radically changed 2005. Eight large enclosures within species’ historical natural habitat established, which had positive effect all pairs...

Although abundance estimates have a strong bearing on the conservation status of species, less than 2% global snow leopard distribution range has been sampled systematically, mostly in small survey areas. In order to estimate density across large landscape, we collected 347 putative scats from 246 transects (490 km) twenty-six 5 × 5km sized sampling grid cells within 4393 km2 Annapurna-Manaslu, Nepal. From 182 confirmed scats, 81 were identified as belonging 34 individuals; remaining...

Abstract Harvesting and culling are methods used to monitor manage wildlife diseases. An important consequence of these practices is a change in the genetic dynamics affected populations that may threaten their long‐term viability. The effective population size ( N e ) fundamental parameter for describing such changes as it determines amount drift population. Here, we estimate harvested wild reindeer Norway. Then use simulations investigate consequences management efforts handling recent...

To reach reproduction, individuals must survive the juvenile stage, a critical period of low survival rates in large carnivores. We analysed data from 582 wolves (Canis lupus) identified by DNA during their first year Sweden and Norway, to investigate intrinsic extrinsic factors within natal territory affecting probability i.e. having pups surviving at least 5 months age. Factors included main prey density, road human proximity non-breeding zones, as well sex, inbreeding being collared. Of...