Genetic diversity and population structure of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in France

摘要: During the last century, Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) suffered a dramatic decline in Europe. In France, same pattern of sharp was observed with local extinctions many regions. Before recolonisation process, two main populations still remained along Atlantic coast and Massif Central. To investigate impact this on genetic diversity structure French population, tissue samples 144 carcasses from road kills that were found during 1992–2011 Central used. They analysed using 10 microsatellites loci. Observed (H o = 0.64) expected heterozygosity e = 0.62) moderate, but consistent results other European populations. The bottleneck test showed an excess heterozygotes, providing evidence recent decline. There for weak significant allelic frequencies divergence between otters those (F st = 0.040, p < 0.05), probably resulting their isolation prior to process. As population has been expanding several years, intermixing is now occurring. Although expansion not yet genetically homogenised all populations, may be matter time.