Data from: Homogenous population genetic structure of the non-native raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Europe as a result of rapid population expansion

The extent of gene flow during the range expansion of non-native species
influences the amount of genetic diversity retained in expanding
populations. Here, we analyse the population genetic structure of the
raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in north-eastern and central
Europe. This invasive species is of management concern because it is
highly susceptible to fox rabies and an important secondary host of the
virus. We hypothesized that the large number of introduced animals and the
species’ dispersal capabilities led to high population connectivity and
maintenance of genetic diversity throughout the invaded range. We
genotyped 332 tissue samples from seven European countries using 16
microsatellite loci. Different algorithms identified three genetic
clusters corresponding to Finland, Denmark and a large ‘central’
population that reached from introduction areas in western Russia to
northern Germany. Cluster assignments provided evidence of long-distance
dispersal. The results of an Approximate Bayesian Computation analysis
supported a scenario of equal effective population sizes among different
pre-defined populations in the large central cluster. Our results are in
line with strong gene flow and secondary admixture between neighbouring
demes leading to reduced genetic structuring, probably a result of its
fairly rapid population expansion after introduction. The results
presented here are remarkable in the sense that we identified a homogenous
genetic cluster inhabiting an area stretching over more than 1500km. They
are also relevant for disease management, as in the event of a significant
rabies outbreak, there is a great risk of a rapid virus spread among
raccoon dog populations.