Population Structure and Dispersal of Wolves in the Canadian Rocky Mountains
In the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the gray wolf (Canis lupus) has experienced range contractions and expansions, which can greatly affect pack stability as well as population structure. In addition, this area has a highly heterogeneous landscape that may form barriers to dispersal. To understand fact...
Published in: | Journal of Mammalogy |
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Online Access: | https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/popdhab/2 https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyw015 |
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ftinstsciencepol:oai:www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org:popdhab-1001 2023-06-18T03:40:08+02:00 Population Structure and Dispersal of Wolves in the Canadian Rocky Mountains Cullingham, Catherine I. Thiessen, Conrad D. Derocher, Andrew E. Paquet, Paul C. Miller, Joshua M. Hamilton, Jill A. Coltman, David W. 2016-06-09T07:00:00Z https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/popdhab/2 https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyw015 unknown WBI Studies Repository https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/popdhab/2 https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyw015 Population Distribution and Habitat Collection Canada genetic structure gray wolf landscape genetics microsatellite Animal Studies Environmental Studies Population Biology text 2016 ftinstsciencepol https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyw015 2023-06-04T20:20:03Z In the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the gray wolf (Canis lupus) has experienced range contractions and expansions, which can greatly affect pack stability as well as population structure. In addition, this area has a highly heterogeneous landscape that may form barriers to dispersal. To understand factors affecting pack structure and large-scale gene flow across the Rocky Mountains, we examined wolf genetic structure using 1,981 noninvasive and invasively collected samples. We sampled over 44 packs in Alberta and British Columbia and, from these, identified 540 individuals based on 12 microsatellites. Relatedness of individuals within packs was greater than between packs, and female relatedness was greater than males suggesting strong pack structure and female philopatry. Relatedness within packs was greater near major roads suggesting decreased dispersal from natal packs with proximity to roads. Across the study area, 2 significantly differentiated genetic clusters were identified, corresponding to a north/south split. Landcover distance was a significant correlate for 2 of 4 genetic distance measures, where packs in the north were in areas of dense coniferous forest, while packs in the south were primarily in open coniferous forest. These landcover differences suggest natal associations or could relate to prey distribution. Fine-scale investigation of pack dynamics across this continuous distribution, together with large-scale estimators of population structure, highlights different drivers of gene flow at the pack and population level. Text Canis lupus gray wolf The Humane Society of the United States, Institute for Science and Policy: Animal Studies Repository British Columbia ENVELOPE(-125.003,-125.003,54.000,54.000) Canada Journal of Mammalogy 97 3 839 851 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
The Humane Society of the United States, Institute for Science and Policy: Animal Studies Repository |
op_collection_id |
ftinstsciencepol |
language |
unknown |
topic |
Canada genetic structure gray wolf landscape genetics microsatellite Animal Studies Environmental Studies Population Biology |
spellingShingle |
Canada genetic structure gray wolf landscape genetics microsatellite Animal Studies Environmental Studies Population Biology Cullingham, Catherine I. Thiessen, Conrad D. Derocher, Andrew E. Paquet, Paul C. Miller, Joshua M. Hamilton, Jill A. Coltman, David W. Population Structure and Dispersal of Wolves in the Canadian Rocky Mountains |
topic_facet |
Canada genetic structure gray wolf landscape genetics microsatellite Animal Studies Environmental Studies Population Biology |
description |
In the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the gray wolf (Canis lupus) has experienced range contractions and expansions, which can greatly affect pack stability as well as population structure. In addition, this area has a highly heterogeneous landscape that may form barriers to dispersal. To understand factors affecting pack structure and large-scale gene flow across the Rocky Mountains, we examined wolf genetic structure using 1,981 noninvasive and invasively collected samples. We sampled over 44 packs in Alberta and British Columbia and, from these, identified 540 individuals based on 12 microsatellites. Relatedness of individuals within packs was greater than between packs, and female relatedness was greater than males suggesting strong pack structure and female philopatry. Relatedness within packs was greater near major roads suggesting decreased dispersal from natal packs with proximity to roads. Across the study area, 2 significantly differentiated genetic clusters were identified, corresponding to a north/south split. Landcover distance was a significant correlate for 2 of 4 genetic distance measures, where packs in the north were in areas of dense coniferous forest, while packs in the south were primarily in open coniferous forest. These landcover differences suggest natal associations or could relate to prey distribution. Fine-scale investigation of pack dynamics across this continuous distribution, together with large-scale estimators of population structure, highlights different drivers of gene flow at the pack and population level. |
format |
Text |
author |
Cullingham, Catherine I. Thiessen, Conrad D. Derocher, Andrew E. Paquet, Paul C. Miller, Joshua M. Hamilton, Jill A. Coltman, David W. |
author_facet |
Cullingham, Catherine I. Thiessen, Conrad D. Derocher, Andrew E. Paquet, Paul C. Miller, Joshua M. Hamilton, Jill A. Coltman, David W. |
author_sort |
Cullingham, Catherine I. |
title |
Population Structure and Dispersal of Wolves in the Canadian Rocky Mountains |
title_short |
Population Structure and Dispersal of Wolves in the Canadian Rocky Mountains |
title_full |
Population Structure and Dispersal of Wolves in the Canadian Rocky Mountains |
title_fullStr |
Population Structure and Dispersal of Wolves in the Canadian Rocky Mountains |
title_full_unstemmed |
Population Structure and Dispersal of Wolves in the Canadian Rocky Mountains |
title_sort |
population structure and dispersal of wolves in the canadian rocky mountains |
publisher |
WBI Studies Repository |
publishDate |
2016 |
url |
https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/popdhab/2 https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyw015 |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(-125.003,-125.003,54.000,54.000) |
geographic |
British Columbia Canada |
geographic_facet |
British Columbia Canada |
genre |
Canis lupus gray wolf |
genre_facet |
Canis lupus gray wolf |
op_source |
Population Distribution and Habitat Collection |
op_relation |
https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/popdhab/2 https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyw015 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyw015 |
container_title |
Journal of Mammalogy |
container_volume |
97 |
container_issue |
3 |
container_start_page |
839 |
op_container_end_page |
851 |
_version_ |
1769004945907908608 |