Landscape genetic analyses of Cervus elaphus and Sus scrofa: comparative study and analytical developments

Area of Science:

• Landscape genetics
• Wildlife ecology
• Conservation biology

Background:

• Red deer and wild boar are key game species in human-impacted landscapes.
• Understanding landscape impacts on their movement and genetic variability is crucial for management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare spatial genetic variability patterns in red deer and wild boar.
• To assess the influence of environmental factors on large mammal interconnectivity.

Main Methods:

• Genotyping of over 1700 red deer and 1200 wild boar using microsatellite markers.
• Capture-mark-recapture (CMR) protocols for movement tracking.
• Landscape genetic analyses using pairwise and point approaches.

Main Results:

• Motorways confirmed as significant dispersal barriers via CMR data.
• Pairwise genetic analyses showed no impact of motorways on genetic differentiation.
• Point approach revealed lower altitudes associated with higher genetic dissimilarity.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive landscape genetic workflow was developed and applied.
• Environmental factors like altitude influence genetic dissimilarity.
• Recent landscape changes like motorways may not yet impact genetic differentiation.