Genetic structure of a large recolonizing carnivore: the case of the northern cougars (Puma concolor)

• Author / Creator

  Barrett, Kimberley G

• Anthropogenic activities have pressured and altered landscapes resulting in extinctions and extirpations. However, increased conservation efforts and changing management strategies in some large carnivores have resulted in population and range expansion. Population growth and range expansion are detectable using population genetic techniques by characterizing population structure, and clinal patterns in relatedness (isolation by distance, IBD). Using 902 single nucleotide polymorphisms genotyped via double digestion restriction-site associated digestion from 119 cougars (Puma concolor) – both live-captured and harvested cats – in Alberta, Canada we assessed and characterized the genetic structure of this expanding population using spatially explicit and agnostic means. Each predicted and tested subpopulation (based on geographic attributes of sampling location) was characterized and mapped. Predicted subpopulations were inconsistent and not biologically informative; additionally, no significant correlation was detected between genetic and geographic distance (IBD). In all tested and predicted subpopulations, observed heterozygosity was lower than expected. Our findings confirm that the Albertan population of cougars has recently undergone expansion detectable from a genetic perspective (as suggested by the lower-than-expected heterozygosity). The panmictic nature of this population is unique in modern cougars and of importance for managers both of this population and of other predator species.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • cougar
  • puma concolor
  • population genetics
  • population structure
  • ddRAD
  • SNP
  • panmixia
  • Alberta
  • Canada

• Graduation date

  Fall 2023

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-6879-2y83

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.