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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
04:52
Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
Published on: February 3, 2023
Wolverine gene flow across a narrow climatic niche
Michael K Schwartz1, Jeffrey P Copeland, Neil J Anderson
1USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, 800 East Beckwith, Missoula, Montana 59801, USA. mkschwartz@fs.fed.us
Ecology
|December 9, 2009
Summary
Wolverines (Gulo gulo) in the U.S. prefer to disperse through areas with persistent spring snow. This finding helps map crucial corridors for wolverine populations and aids conservation efforts for this rare carnivore.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Conservation Biology
- Population Genetics
Background:
- Wolverines (Gulo gulo) are rare carnivores in the contiguous U.S., with low population sizes in key areas like Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.
- Landscape features influencing wolverine population structure and gene flow are not well understood.
- Persistent spring snow cover is associated with wolverine presence and range.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if a dispersal model favoring persistent spring snow areas explains genetic distance among wolverines.
- To identify least-cost dispersal paths and corridors based on snow cover preferences.
- To derive empirically based corridor maps for wolverine conservation in the U.S. Rocky Mountains.
Main Methods:
- Developed and tested dispersal models simulating wolverine preferences for spring snow cover.
- Compared snow-cover-based models with Euclidean distance models using genetic distance data.
- Utilized Partial Mantel tests to assess the significance of Euclidean distance versus snow-cover effects.
- Derived least-cost corridor maps based on identified dispersal preferences.
Main Results:
- Models simulating dispersal preferences for persistent spring snow explained genetic distance data better than Euclidean distance models.
- Euclidean distance was not a significant factor in describing genetic distance patterns.
- Derived corridor maps largely explain previously identified population subdivision patterns.
- Indicated challenges for natural wolverine colonization in the southern Rocky Mountains.
Conclusions:
- Persistent spring snow cover is a critical factor influencing wolverine dispersal and gene flow.
- Least-cost corridor maps based on snow cover provide valuable insights for wolverine conservation.
- Conservation strategies should consider spring snow persistence for maintaining connectivity and facilitating wolverine recolonization.
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