2006/05/16 by Thierry Lodé · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation #Genetic diversity and population structure #Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock #Loss of heterozygosity #Biology #Genetic diversity #Inbreeding #Mustela putorius #Zoology #Genetic variation #Genetic structure #Population #Ecology #Genetics #Allele #Gene #Demography
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1439-0388.2006.00585.x
openalex publication_date 2006/05/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Carnivores as top predators are commonly found in relatively low densities even in optimal habitats. Despite a lack of empirical studies, it could be suspected that long-term low density could result in genetic depletion. The genetic structure of European polecat Mustela putorius natural populations was investigated by allozyme electrophoresis in five distinct areas. Density estimates significantly differed among sites from 0.17 to 0.83 individuals/km2 with an average of 0.56 individuals per km2, resulting in a scattered distribution. Genetic structure varied among distinct populations both in number of polymorphic loci and heterozygosity. Polecats from Brittany revealed a very low observed heterozygosity (H(O) = 0.028) whereas mean heterozygosity reached H(O) = 0.072 in Brière. That the lowest heterozygosity levels and highest inbreeding coefficient F(IS) were significantly associated with the lowest densities suggests that low densities may affect populations of carnivores. Both the loss of polymorphic loci and the reduction in heterozygosity rates suggest a density-dependent effect and population density can be arguably regarded as a factor affecting genetic diversity in top carnivores.