Fine scale population genetic structure of pumas in the Intermountain West

Abstract

In this study, I examined the population genetic structure of subpopulations of pumas (Puma concolor) in Idaho and surrounding states. Patterns of genetic diversity, population structure, levels of inbreeding, and the relationship between genetic differentiation and dispersal distance within and between 15 subpopulations of pumas were compared. Spatial analyses revealed that the Snake River plain was an important barrier to movement between northern and southern regions of Idaho. In addition, subpopulations south of the Snake River plain exhibited lower levels of genetic diversity, higher levels of inbreeding, and a stronger pattern of isolation by distance relative to subpopulations north of the Snake River plain. Lower levels of diversity and restricted gene flow are likely the result of historically lower population sizes in conjunction with more recent changes in habitat use and available dispersal corridors for movement. The subdivision of puma populations north and south of the Snake River plain, along with the patterns of genetic diversity within regions, indicate that landscape features are affecting the population genetic structure of pumas in Idaho. These results indicate that information about the effects of landscape features on the distribution of genetic diversity should be considered when designing plans for the management and conservation of pumas.

Assessing temporal genetic variation in a cougar population: influence of harvest and neighboring populations

“…6). Observed heterozygosity for Black Hills cougars was similar to that of other cougar populations in the western United States, i.e., Texas, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Idaho (H O 0.52-0.61; Walker et al 2000;Anderson et al 2004;Mcrae et al 2005;Loxterman 2011;Holbrook et al 2012), and paralleled other studies (Sinclair et al 2001;Anderson et al 2004) that found no evidence of population subdivision. Though measures of genetic variation indicate this population has retained genetic viability, we recognize that unlike demographic effects, which are immediate and more recognizable, genetic effects occur over many generations and therefore, may not be apparent for several generations (Harris et al 2012).…”

“…Populations have since increased, and currently occupy the western United States and part of southern Florida (Beier 1991;Logan and Sweanor 2001). Several studies have suggested habitat barriers (i.e., fragmentation and habitat degradation) can limit gene flow resulting in distinct genetic structure among some cougar populations (Ernest et al 2003;Mcrae et al 2005;Loxterman 2011;Andreasen et al 2012;Holbrook et al 2012). In contrast, others have argued immigration/emigration can maintain genetic variation (Biek et al 2006;Anderson et al 2004) and can limit population subdivision in wild cougar populations (Sinclair et al 2001;Anderson et al 2004).…”

Evidence of Recent Fine-Scale Population Structuring in South American Puma concolor

“…Diversity 2017, 9, 44 6 of 11 [10][11][12][13][14] individuals for the EEC and EEI populations, respectively. Thus, it is strongly suggested that we have sampled most of the existing individuals in both conservation areas.…”

“…It could be suggested that the presence of the human-made cascade of dams, extensively enlarging the body water in the region, could be contributing to gene flow reduction between the two studied sites. Although cougars have a plastic behavior, other rivers have been reported as gene flow barriers for this species [11,56], since the species avoids crossing natural or human-modified large water bodies [57,58]. Thus, considering the landscape heterogeneity increasingly typical in this part of our country, recent fine scale population structuring could represent an ongoing process among cougar populations.…”

“…Additionally, human activities may impose barriers-such as roads, monocultures, and urban areas-negatively affecting individual dispersal and thus gene flow and demographic aspects, even for those species with high dispersal capacity and greater tolerance to the effects of anthropic activities [2,4,9,11]. As a consequence, carnivores have been increasingly restricted to small areas, have been reduced to few individuals [10], and may show genetic population structuring due to fragmentation [2,4,10,11]. Both study areas are within an intense human-modified landscape, which presents low vegetation cover distributed in small fragments [19].…”