Data from: A genetic discontinuity in moose (Alces alces) in Alaska corresponds with fenced transportation infrastructure

The strength and arrangement of movement barriers can impact the
connectivity among habitat patches. Anthropogenic barriers (e.g. roads)
are a source of habitat fragmentation that can disrupt these resource
networks and can have an influence on the spatial genetic structure of
populations. Using microsatellite data, we evaluated whether observed
genetic structure of moose (Alces alces) populations were associated with
human activities (e.g. roads) in the urban habitat of Anchorage and rural
habitat on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. We found evidence of a recent
genetic subdivision among moose in Anchorage that corresponds to a major
highway and associated infrastructure. This subdivision is most likely due
to restrictions in gene flow due to alterations to the highway (e.g.
moose-resistant fencing with one-way gates) and a significant increase in
traffic volume over the past 30 years; genetic subdivision was not
detected on the Kenai Peninsula in an area not bisected by a major
highway. This study illustrates that anthropogenic barriers can
substructure wildlife populations within a few generations and highlights
the value of genetic assessments to determine the effects on connectivity
among habitat patches in conjunction with behavioral and ecological data.