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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Beyond Boundaries—Genetic Implications of Urbanisation and Isolation in Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus)
Urban Science, Vol.9(7), pp.1-16
2025
Abstract
Understanding how urbanisation and habitat fragmentation influence wildlife is critical for biodiversity conservation. Fragmentation and population isolation can reduce genetic diversity, yet few studies have assessed these genetic impacts in urbanised environments. Eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus), widespread across eastern Australia, often inhabit landscapes shaped by urbanisation. Using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from scat and tissue samples, we compared genetic characteristics of kangaroo populations in urban and non-urban areas across three regions. We assessed the influence of habitat isolation on genetic diversity and relatedness at 18 study sites. Overall, urban populations did not show significantly lower genetic diversity than those in less developed areas (p > 0.05; Urban mean HO = 0.196, Non-urban mean HO = 0.188). However, populations fully isolated by roads, buildings, and fences exhibited reduced genetic diversity and increased inbreeding. Additionally, significant genetic differences were observed among regions. These findings suggest that while urbanisation alone may not always reduce genetic diversity, complete physical isolation poses greater risks to population genetic health. This study highlights how urban landscape features can shape the genetics of large terrestrial mammals and underscores the need for spatially informed urban planning and management strategies that maintain or restore habitat connectivity.
Details
- Title
- Beyond Boundaries—Genetic Implications of Urbanisation and Isolation in Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus)
- Authors
- Elizabeth Brunton (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringAlexis Levengood - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringAaron Brunton - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringNeil Clarke - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringGraeme Coulson - The University of MelbourneClaire Wimpenny - ACT GovernmentGabriel Conroy - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Publication details
- Urban Science, Vol.9(7), pp.1-16
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.3390/urbansci9070257
- ISSN
- 2413-8851
- Copyright note
- © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Data Availability
- The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
- Grant note
- Neil Clarke received a UniSC honours scholarship to support this work. ACT samples were collected during research projects funded by the ACT Government. QLD samples were collected during research projects funded by the Sunshine Coast Council and University of the Sunshine Coast collaborative research scheme.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991144538902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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