Data from: Dispersal, philopatry and population genetic structure of the mainland dibbler, Parantechinus apicalis

Dispersal plays an important role in the population structure and
resilience of species. To gain a better understanding of dispersal in the
endangered Australian marsupial, the dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis), we
screened 199 individuals from seven locations within the Fitzgerald River
National Park, Western Australia, for genetic variation at 17
microsatellite loci. There were high levels of genetic variation within
all sites (gene diversity ranged from 0.68 to 0.71) as well as significant
genetic differentiation between sites less than 19 km apart that were
consistent over multiple years (FST = 0.021 – 0.073). A Bayesian
clustering analysis revealed the presence of two genetic clusters
separating P. apicalis in the western part from the central and eastern
parts of the National Park. There was also evidence of fine-scale
population structure with spatial autocorrelation analysis showing
positive genetic structure up to distances of 200 m in females. By
contrast males did not exhibit significant fine-scale population
structure, thus suggesting P. apicalis exhibits female philopatry and
male-biased dispersal. We recommend that management should take into
account the existence of two subpopulations within the National Park and
manage accordingly. Individuals selected for captive breeding and
translocation programs, especially females, should be sampled at least 200
m apart to reduce the likelihood of selecting related individuals.