Persistence of remnant patches and genetic loss at the distribution periphery in island and mainland populations of the quokka

摘要: Understanding the spatial structure of populations is important in developing effective management options for threatened species, and managing habitat connectivity metapopulation function, demographic genetic heterogeneity. We used information to investigate quokka, Setonix brachyurus, south-west Western Australia. hypothesised that movement between known would be relatively rare result significant structuring. Genetic analyses from 412 adult individuals at 14 nuclear markers (microsatellite) 33 sampling locations identified structure, diversity separation quokkas across their mainland distribution on two islands. nine inferred (K = 9) quokka otherwise difficult define with standard ecological techniques. The highest was evident a large central population southern forest area lower peripheries distribution. Rottnest Island contained 70% but animals Bald markedly lower. Populations northern jarrah were only ones show evidence recent or long-term bottlenecking. Of particular interest recently Muddy Lakes (the remaining locality Swan Coastal Plain), which as being genetically associated population. Overall, cluster analysis showed small insular area, forests there appears panmictic