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Molecular techniques, wildlife management and the importance of genetic population structure and dispersal: a case study with feral pigs
JORDAN O.HAMPTON*, PETER B. S.SPENCER*, DERYN L.ALPERS*, LAURIE E.TWIGG†, ANDREW P.WOOLNOUGH†, JEFFDOUST‡, TONYHIGGS§ and JOHNPLUSKE*
*School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia 6150, Australia
;
†Vertebrate Pest Research Section, Department of Agriculture, 100 Bougainvillea Avenue, Forrestfield, Western Australia 6058, Australia
;
‡Water Corporation (Surface Water Operations), Albany Hwy, Kelmscott, Western Australia 6111, Australia
; and
§Department of Agriculture, 444 Albany Hwy, Albany, Western Australia 6330, Australia
Correspondence: Peter Spencer, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Western Australia 6150, Australia (fax + 61 89310 4144; e-mail P.Spencer@murdoch.edu.au).
applied genetics • control • microsatellite • source population •
Sus scrofa
• vertebrate pest
Journal of Applied Ecology (2004) 41, 735 –743
Summary
1.
Understanding the spatial structure of populations is important in developing effective management strategies for feral and invasive species, such as feral pigs Sus scrofa. World-wide, feral pigs can act as 'triple threat' pests, impacting upon biodiversity, agricultural production and public health; in Australia they are a significant vertebrate pest. We utilized a molecular approach to investigate the structure of populations of feral pigs in south-western Australia. These approaches have been underutilized in pest management.
2.
Using 14 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers from 276 adult pigs, we identified eight inferred (K = 8) pig populations that would be difficult to define with standard ecological techniques. All populations had moderate heterozygosity (HE = 0·680) and moderate to high levels of differentiation (FST = 0·118; RST = 0·132) between populations.
3.
The molecular approach identified feral pig groups that appeared to be acting as a source for reinvasion following control operations. It also identified populations where current control measures were less successful in reducing 'effective population size'. Additionally, the data indicated that dispersal rates between, but not within, the inferred feral pig populations were relatively low.
4.
The potential for the spread of directly transmitted wildlife diseases between the pig populations studied was low. However, under some circumstances, such as within major river catchments, the role of feral pigs in the transmission of endemic or exotic diseases is likely to be high.
5.
Synthesis and applications. A molecular-based approach allowed us to determine the genetic structure and dispersal patterns of a cryptic, destructive and invasive vertebrate pest. Our results indicated that the feral pig populations studied were unlikely to be acting as closed populations and, importantly, it identified where movement between groups was likely to occur. This should lead to more informed decisions for managing the potential risk posed by feral species, such as pigs, in the transmission of wildlife diseases. The suggested technique could help in understanding the dynamics of many other free-ranging pest animal populations.
Received 3 November 2003; final copy received 5 May 2004
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