Kyle C J, Strobeck C
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2E9, Canada.
Mol Ecol. 2001 Feb;10(2):337-47. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-294x.2001.01222.x.
Wolverines (Gulo gulo) are found in low densities throughout their circumpolar distribution. They are also potentially susceptible to human-caused population fragmentation (development, recreation and fur harvesting). The combination of these factors has contributed to this species being listed as having either vulnerable or endangered status across much of its current range. The effects of inherently low densities and anthropogenic pressures on the genetic structure and variation of wolverine populations are, as yet, unknown. In this study, 461 individuals were typed at 12 microsatellite loci to investigate the population genetic structure of wolverines from north-western Alaska to eastern Manitoba. Levels of gene flow and population differentiation among the sampled regions were estimated via a genotype assignment test, pairwise F(ST), and two genetic distance measures. Our results suggest that wolverine populations from southernmost regions, in which anthropogenic factors are strongest, revealed more genetic structuring than did northern populations. Furthermore, these results suggest that reductions in this species' range may have led to population fragmentation in the extreme reaches of its southern distribution. The continued reduction of suitable habitat for this species may lead to more populations becoming isolated remnants of a larger distribution of northern wolverines, as documented in other North American carnivore species.
貂熊（貂熊属貂熊种）在其环极分布范围内密度较低。它们还可能易受人类活动导致的种群碎片化影响（如开发、娱乐活动和皮毛捕猎）。这些因素共同导致该物种在其当前大部分分布区域被列为易危或濒危物种。目前，貂熊种群固有低密度和人为压力对其遗传结构和变异的影响尚不清楚。在本研究中，对461个个体的12个微卫星位点进行分型，以调查从阿拉斯加西北部到马尼托巴省东部的貂熊种群遗传结构。通过基因型分配测试、成对F(ST)和两种遗传距离测量方法，估计了采样区域之间的基因流动水平和种群分化情况。我们的结果表明，在人为因素最强的最南端地区，貂熊种群的遗传结构比北方种群更为明显。此外，这些结果表明，该物种分布范围的缩小可能导致其南部极端分布区域出现种群碎片化。正如其他北美食肉动物物种所记录的那样，该物种适宜栖息地的持续减少可能导致更多种群成为北方貂熊更大分布范围的孤立残余种群。
