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Journal article
Isolation, small population size, and management influence inbreeding and reduced genetic variation in K'gari dingoes
Conservation Genetics, Vol.25, pp.955-971
2024
Abstract
Small island populations are vulnerable to genetic decline via demographic and environmental stochasticity. In the absence of immigration, founder effects, inbreeding and genetic drift are likely to contribute to local extinction risk. Management actions may also have a greater impact on small, closed populations. The demographic and social characteristics of a species can, however, delay the impact of threats. K'gari, a similar to 1 660 km(2) island off the Australian east coast and UNESCO World Heritage Site (Fraser Island 1842-2023), supports an isolated population of approximately 70-200 dingoes that represent an ideal opportunity to explore the small island paradigm. To examine temporal and spatial patterns of genetic diversity in this population we analysed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype data (72 454 SNPS) for 112 K'gari dingoes collected over a 25-year period (1996 to 2020). Genetic diversity was lower in K'gari dingoes than mainland dingoes at the earliest time point in our study and declined significantly following a management cull in 2001. We did not find any spatial genetic patterns on the island, suggesting high levels of genetic connectivity between socially discrete packs. This connectivity, combined with the social structure and behaviour of dingoes, may act in concert to buffer the population from the impacts of genetic drift in the short term. Nevertheless, a general decline in genetic variation via inbreeding and drift has occurred over the past 20 years which we suggest should be considered in any future management planning for the population. Monitoring patterns of genetic variation, together with a clearer understanding of the social ecology of K'gari dingoes, will aid in the development of measurable genetic targets set over ecologically meaningful timelines, and help ensure continued survival of this culturally important population.
Details
- Title
- Isolation, small population size, and management influence inbreeding and reduced genetic variation in K'gari dingoes
- Authors
- Susan M. Miller (Corresponding Author) - University of Cape TownLinda Behrendorff - Queensland Parks and Wildlife ServiceBenjamin L. Allen - University of Southern QueenslandRose L. Andrew - Univ New England, Sch Environm & Rural Sci, Armidale, NSW 2351, AustraliaGuy Ballard - University of New EnglandJ. William O. Ballard - The University of MelbourneKylie M. Cairns - UNSW SydneyGabriel C. Conroy - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for BioinnovationPeter J. S. Fleming - University of New EnglandCatherine E. Grueber - The University of SydneyJane Oakey - Biosecurity QueenslandDeane A. Smith - University of New EnglandDanielle Stephens - Zoological Genetics (Australia)Claire Wade - The University of SydneyJacqueline M. Bishop - University of Cape Town
- Publication details
- Conservation Genetics, Vol.25, pp.955-971
- Publisher
- Springer Dordrecht
- Date published
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10592-024-01616-8
- ISSN
- 1572-9737; 1566-0621
- Copyright note
- This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
- Data Availability
- All data used in this manuscript are archived at zivahub.uct.ac.za doi: 10.25375/uct.24798171.v1.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991022796902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Biodiversity Conservation
- Genetics & Heredity