Abstract
We analyzed the genotypes of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) from three populations in the westernmost part of the species main range. One population was situated at the distribution edge (NE Poland) and the two other (Latvia and Estonia) were located within the main, contiguous range of the species. The aim was to determine if the genetic composition varied among these populations and if there was evidence of isolation among them. Based on microsatellite allele frequencies, we found the allelic richness in Polish lynx to be lower than that in lynx from Latvia and Estonia. We also found significant differentiation among the lynx populations, with the NE Poland population forming a distinct genetic group relative to the two other populations (R ST = 0.15 and 0.22, P < 0.0001). We suggest that genetic differentiation among lynx populations is the result of habitat insularisation that limits gene flow. This finding emphasizes the necessity to consider the lynx genetic differentiation in conservation planning of this species in Poland.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Z. Bosko, M. Kurzawa and T. Werkowski for providing samples and E. Bujko for help in live-trapping lynx in the Białowieża Forest. We also thank numerous hunters in Latvia and Estonia for providing samples. Technical assistance was provided by T. Noventa. Comments by Prof. C. Pertoldi and two anonymous referees greatly improved the paper. We greatly appreciate a constructive criticism by the Associate Editor dr. C. Vilà. We are grateful to M. W. Hayward for correcting the English and his valuable comments on the manuscript. The study was financed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (grant no: 3P04F 019 24).
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Schmidt, K., Kowalczyk, R., Ozolins, J. et al. Genetic structure of the Eurasian lynx population in north-eastern Poland and the Baltic states. Conserv Genet 10, 497–501 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-008-9795-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-008-9795-7