Data from: Genetic connectivity for two bear species at wildlife crossing structures in Banff National Park ...

• Main Authors: Sawaya, Michael A., Kalinowski, Steven T., Clevenger, Anthony P.
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Dryad 2014
• Subjects: wildlife crossing structure; Ursus arctos; ursid; Canada
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.5q3b3; https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.5q3b3

Roads can fragment and isolate wildlife populations, which will eventually decrease genetic diversity within populations. Wildlife crossing structures may counteract these impacts, but most crossings are relatively new, and there is little evidence that they facilitate gene flow. We conducted a three-year research project in Banff National Park, Alberta, to evaluate the effectiveness of wildlife crossings to provide genetic connectivity. Our main objective was to determine how the Trans-Canada Highway and crossing structures along it affect gene flow in grizzly (Ursus arctos) and black bears (Ursus americanus). We compared genetic data generated from wildlife crossings with data collected from greater bear populations. We detected a genetic discontinuity at the highway in grizzly bears but not in black bears. We assigned grizzly bears that used crossings to populations north and south of the highway, providing evidence of bidirectional gene flow and genetic admixture. Parentage tests showed that 47% of black ... : Banff Bear DNA DataMicrosatellite data for 105 black bears and 134 grizzly bears detected in Banff National Park. Excel file contains 3 worksheets (description, black bear data, grizzly bear data) ...