Short-Tandem-Repeat (STR) marker set for Eurasian lynx for article: Genetic analysis indicates spatial-dependent patterns of sex-biased dispersal in Eurasian lynx in Finland

Conservation and management of large carnivores requires knowledge of
female and male dispersal. Such information is crucial to evaluate the
population’s status and thus management actions. This knowledge is
challenging to obtain, often incomplete and contradictory at times. The
size of the target population and the methods applied can bias the
results. Also, population history and biological or environmental
influences can affect dispersal on different scales within a study area.
We have genotyped Eurasian lynx (180 males and 102 females, collected
2003-2017) continuously distributed in southern Finland (~23,000 km2)
using 21 short tandem repeats (STR) loci and compared statistical genetic
tests to infer local and sex-specific dispersal patterns within and across
genetic clusters as well as geographic regions. We tested for sex-specific
substructure with individual-based Bayesian assignment tests and spatial
autocorrelation analyses. Differences between the sexes in genetic
differentiation, relatedness, inbreeding, and diversity were analysed
using population-based AMOVA, F-statistics, and assignment indices. Our
results showed two different genetic clusters that were spatially
structured for females but admixed for males. Similarly, spatial
autocorrelation and relatedness was significantly higher in females than
males. However, we found weaker sex-specific patterns for the Eurasian
lynx when the data were separated in three geographical regions than when
divided in the two genetic clusters. Overall, our results suggest
male-biased dispersal and female philopatry for the Eurasian lynx in
Southern Finland. The female genetic structuring increased from west to
east within our study area. In addition, detection of male-biased
dispersal was dependent on analytical methods utilized, on whether subtle
underlying genetic structuring was considered or not, and the choice of
population delineation. Conclusively, we suggest using multiple genetic
approaches to study sex-biased dispersal in a continuously distributed
species in which population delineation is difficult.