Remnant vegetation provides genetic connectivity for a critical weight range mammal in a rapidly urbanising landscape

Disentangling the Genetic Relationships of Three Closely Related Bandicoot Species across Southern and Western Australia

“…We also detected significant genetic sub-structuring within each region via cluster analyses, although populations in southern WA were more admixed than elsewhere. Such a pattern is consistent with the expected limited dispersal range of bandicoots (~3 km; Li et al [81,82]), but connectivity is also likely moderated by the amount (and fragmentation) of native vegetation in the landscape [13].…”

“…Isoodon obesulus, I. fusciventer, and I. auratus samples were distributed across multiple locations in Western Australia, South Australia, and Victoria and across multiple years from 2002 to 2018 ( Figure 1, Table S1). Microsatellite profiles for WA specimens of I. auratus and I. fusciventer (n = 172) were predominantly obtained from previously published datasets in Ottewell et al [30] and Ottewell et al [13], respectively, with some additional new sampling from southwest WA (I. fusciventer) and the Kimberley region (I. a. auratus) (Table S1). Ear biopsy samples were opportunistically obtained by environmental consultants during urban fauna relocations and during population monitoring by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (Kimberley samples).…”

“…Ongoing habitat fragmentation and degradation in these regions may be contributing to limited gene flow amongst patches and subsequently genetic drift. Improving landscape-scale connectivity will be of high priority for these populations with evidence that low, shrubby vegetation can provide a structural habitat for bandicoots to avoid predation as well as connectivity, even in degraded environments [13,14,83]. Management of introduced predators (foxes, cats) and habitat quality improvement will also be critical factors [84][85][86].…”

“…We thank A. Wayne, P. Glen, G. Harewood, P. Townsing for provision of additional I. fusciventer samples for this analysis and J. Smith and staff from the Australian Wildlife Conservancy for additional I. auratus samples from the Kimberley. Contributors to original datasets obtained from [12,13,20,30] are indicated in Acknowledgements of the respective publications.…”

“…However, they are known for their complex biology of adaptive traits and evolutionary diversity [11,12]. These traits enable some Isoodon species to adapt to urban environments [13,14]. However, facing pressure from introduced predators and human disturbances, many Isoodon species have dramatically reduced in distribution since European settlement and persist in remnants of their formal ranges.…”