Genetic analysis indicates spatial-dependent patterns of sex-biased dispersal in Eurasian lynx in Finland

Abstract

Conservation and management of large carnivores requires knowledge of female and male dispersal. Such information is crucial to evaluate the population’s status and thus management actions. This knowledge is challenging to obtain, often incomplete and contradictory at times. The size of the target population and the methods applied can bias the results. Also, population history and biological or environmental influences can affect dispersal on different scales within a study area. We have genotyped Eurasian lynx (180 males and 102 females, collected 2003–2017) continuously distributed in southern Finland (~23,000 km2) using 21 short tandem repeats (STR) loci and compared statistical genetic tests to infer local and sex-specific dispersal patterns within and across genetic clusters as well as geographic regions. We tested for sex-specific substructure with individual-based Bayesian assignment tests and spatial autocorrelation analyses. Differences between the sexes in genetic differentiation, relatedness, inbreeding, and diversity were analysed using population-based AMOVA, F-statistics, and assignment indices. Our results showed two different genetic clusters that were spatially structured for females but admixed for males. Similarly, spatial autocorrelation and relatedness was significantly higher in females than males. However, we found weaker sex-specific patterns for the Eurasian lynx when the data were separated in three geographical regions than when divided in the two genetic clusters. Overall, our results suggest male-biased dispersal and female philopatry for the Eurasian lynx in Southern Finland. The female genetic structuring increased from west to east within our study area. In addition, detection of male-biased dispersal was dependent on analytical methods utilized, on whether subtle underlying genetic structuring was considered or not, and the choice of population delineation. Conclusively, we suggest using multiple genetic approaches to study sex-biased dispersal in a continuously distributed species in which population delineation is difficult.

Revisiting the reintroduced Eurasian lynx population in Kampinos National Park, Poland

“…As concluded by Reklewski (2006) most of the migrations occurring within the first month after the reintroduction suggested an already high concentration of lynx and the lack of unoccupied territory. Also, the bias toward migrating females pointed to the lack of resources or territory (see for example Herrero et al 2021). This gave us a reason to assume a relatively high dispersal rate in our model.…”

“…Since Kampinos NP is located relatively far from other large forest complexes, in the planning phase of the reintroduction program it was falsely assumed that dispersal of individuals outside the Park area is not likely (Reklewski 2006). Lynx can easily cover large distances (see for example Herrero et al 2021) and the other parks included in our simulation are located within average dispersal distance. For example, in Białowieża subadult lynxes were observed to cover up to 129 km (Schmidt 1998).…”

A review of philopatry and dispersal in felids living in an anthropised world

“…Based on the database gathered here, an integrative and comprehensive approach with three key research aspects could provide the basis for understanding the causes underlying dispersal and philopatry: population demographic parameters, molecular tools (see Herrero et al 2021 for further methodological considerations) and the availability of resources. However, such broad characterisation is unfeasible for most species, especially considering scarce funding, although this research may be possible, and indeed critical, in Endangered species that are included in long‐term monitoring and conservation programmes.…”

Mitogenome Phylogeny Including Data from Additional Subspecies Provides New Insights into the Historical Biogeography of the Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx

“…Historically, western Eurasian lynx populations were better connected and genetically more homogeneous, but in the past two centuries, anthropogenic factors disrupted the formerly existing connectivity among European populations [16,17]. Because previous molecular studies on L. lynx focused mainly on European and Northern Asian populations [15,16,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27], most information on the species' phylogeography and evolutionary history derives from these northern Palearctic populations. However, during Pleistocene glaciations, species spreading towards Europe were stopped in their migration by extended ice sheets and remained in glacier-free southern refugia where they accumulated high genetic diversity [7,28].…”