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Genetic structure of mountain lion (Puma concolor) populations in California
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  • Published: May 2003

Genetic structure of mountain lion (Puma concolor) populations in California

  • Holly B. Ernest1,2 nAff3,
  • Walter M. Boyce1,2,
  • Vernon C. Bleich4,5,
  • Bernie May5,
  • San J. Stiver6 &
  • …
  • Steven G. Torres7 

Conservation Genetics volume 4, pages 353–366 (2003)Cite this article

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Abstract

Analysis of 12 microsatellite loci from431 mountain lions (Puma concolor)revealed distinct genetic subdivision that wasassociated with geographic barriers andisolation by distance in California. Levels ofgenetic variation differed among geographicregions, and mountain lions that inhabitedcoastal areas exhibited less heterozygositythan those sampled inland. The San FranciscoBay and Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, theCentral Valley, and the Los Angeles Basinappeared to be substantial barriers to geneflow, and allele frequencies of populationsseparated by those features differedsubstantially. A partial barrier to gene flowappeared to exist along the crest of the SierraNevada. Estimated gene flow was high amongmountain lions inhabiting the Modoc Plateau,the western Sierra Nevada, and northern sectionof the eastern Sierra Nevada. SouthernCalifornia mountain lion populations mayfunction as a metapopulation; however, humandevelopments threaten to eliminate habitat andmovement corridors. While north-south geneflow along the western Sierra Nevada wasestimated to be very high, projected loss andfragmentation of foothill habitat may reducegene flow and subdivide populations. Preservation of existing movement corridorsamong regions could prevent population declinesand loss of genetic variation. This studyshows that mountain lion management andconservation efforts should be individualizedaccording to region and incorporatelandscape-level considerations to protecthabitat connectivity.

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Author notes

  1. Holly B. Ernest

    Present address: Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Holly B. Ernest & Walter M. Boyce

  2. Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Holly B. Ernest & Walter M. Boyce

  3. Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616; fax

    Vernon C. Bleich

  4. Institute of Arctic Biology and Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA

    Vernon C. Bleich & Bernie May

  5. Nevada Division of Wildlife, 1100 Valley Road, Reno, Nevada, 89512, USA

    San J. Stiver

  6. California Department of Fish and Game, 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, CA, 95814, USA

    Steven G. Torres

Authors
  1. Holly B. Ernest
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  6. Steven G. Torres
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Holly B. Ernest.

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Ernest, H.B., Boyce, W.M., Bleich, V.C. et al. Genetic structure of mountain lion (Puma concolor) populations in California. Conservation Genetics 4, 353–366 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024069014911

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  • Issue Date: May 2003

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024069014911

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  • cougar
  • gene flow
  • genetic subdivision
  • microsatellite
  • population structure
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