IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Juarez, R.L.; Jenks, J.A.; Schwartz, M.K.; Pilgrim, K.P.; Thompson, D.J. | |
| Genetic structure of cougars in the Black Hills, South Dakota | |
| 2014 Conference Proceeding | |
Assessing genetic structure of game species populations, such as cougars (_Puma concolor_), provide knowledge of population demographics and is vital for long-term management. Having re-populated the Black Hills by 1998, the cougar population reached saturation in 2005, prompting an initiation of a harvest season by South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. Increasing harvest quotas in conjunction with the relative isolation of the Black Hills may deter connectivity and act to decrease long-term viability. Our objectives were to assess genetic structure of cougars in the Black Hills, South Dakota, measure effective population size (Ne), and compare results with those found before a harvest season had been implemented using 20 microsatellite loci. We also compared genetic structure and conducted population assignment tests with the neighboring cougar populations in Wyoming and North Dakota. We conducted genetic analysis on 712 DNA samples from cougars in the Black Hills collected from 2003-2013. Captured animals were fitted with radio-collars and ear tagged. Blood/tissue samples were collected from all radio-collared and harvested individuals, as well as non-harvest related mortalities. Genetic analysis was measured using GenAlEx, HPRare, ONeSAMP, and STRUCTURE. Pre-harvest genetic analysis found an expected heterozygosity (HE) of 0.55, observed heterozygosity (HO) of 0.55, and effective population size of 27.9 (23- 39; 95%CL). In comparison, we determined that cougars in South Dakota post initiation of harvest had an average expected heterozygosity (HE) of 0.56, and an average observed heterozygosity (HO) of 0.55. Effective population size of cougars in the Black Hills, South Dakota was 28.4 individuals (23-37; 95%CL). We were able to successfully assign cougars from South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming into separate populations. Genetic variability of cougars in the Black Hills remains stable, possibly as a result of emigration and immigration. Continued genetic assessment of cougars in South Dakota is recommended. |
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