Gene flow and natal dispersal in the Siberian flying squirrel based on direct and indirect data |
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Authors: | Vesa Selonen Ilpo K Hanski Jodie N Painter |
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Institution: | (1) Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland;(2) Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland;(3) Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia |
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Abstract: | Dispersal is a key determinant of the evolution and ecology of species. For a comprehensive picture of dispersal, a combination
of both field observations and indirect genetic measures are required, as both of these have strengths that may mitigate the
other’s limitations. Here, we used microsatellite markers and radio-telemetry data to study dispersal and gene flow in Siberian
flying squirrels. Genetic data confirmed our empirical results that dispersal is female biased in the flying squirrel. Female
bias in dispersal is exceptional among mammals and in flying squirrels is probably explained by competition for food resources
and nesting cavities among mothers and daughters. The individual-level genetic pattern was influenced by isolation by distance.
Using this information fairly comparable dispersal distances were derived using indirect data as observed directly with radio
telemetry. Thus, our results support the recent conclusion that individual-level genetic data can be useful in inferring dispersal
distances for species for which direct data are lacking. |
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Keywords: | |
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