Genetic diversity in two insular populations of bobcats (Lynx rufus)

We documented changes in genetic diversity in an isolated, reintroduced population of bobcats on Cumberland Island (CUIS), Georgia, USA, compared to another bobcat population on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA, that was naturally established and experiences limited immigration from the mainland. We compared the predictions of a novel population viability analysis (PVA) to empirical estimates of abundance and genetic diversity on CUIS and used our PVA to identify management actions that are likely to support long-term viability.

Methods
Tissue samples and scats from bobcat were collected on Cumberland Island, Georgia, USA and Kiawah Island, South Carolina, USA to obtain DNA. The DNA samples were used to investigate inbreeding, genetic diversity, immigration rates, abundance, and survival rates.

A population viability analysis was conducted using program VORTEX (version 10.0.7.0; Lacy and Pollak 2014).

Full description of methods are provided in:

Miller-Butterworth, C. M., D. R. Diefenbach, J. E. Edson, L. A. Hansen, J. D. Jordan, T. M. Gingery, and A. L. Russell. 2021. Demography and loss of genetic diversity in two insular populations of the bobcat (Lynx rufus). Global Ecology and Conservation.

Literature Cited

Lacy, R.C., and J.P. Pollak. 2020. Vortex: A stochastic simulation of the extinction process. Version 10.3.8. Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, Illinois, USA.