Data from: The population and landscape genetics of the European badger (Meles meles) in Ireland.

The population genetic structure of free-ranging species is expected to
reflect landscape-level effects. Quantifying the role of these factors and
their relative contribution often has important implications for wildlife
management. The population genetics of the European badger (Meles meles)
have received considerable attention, not least because the species acts
as a potential wildlife reservoir for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Britain
and Ireland. Herein, we detail the most comprehensive population and
landscape genetic study of the badger in Ireland to date – comprised of
454 Irish badger samples, genotyped at 14 microsatellite loci. Contrasting
Bayesian and multivariate clustering methods demonstrated continuous
clinal variation across the island, with potentially distinct
differentiation observed in Northern Ireland. Landscape genetic analyses
identified geographic distance and elevation as the primary drivers of
genetic differentiation, in keeping with badgers exhibiting high levels of
philopatry. Other factors hypothesized to affect gene flow, including
earth worm habitat suitability, land cover type and the River Shannon, had
little to no detectable effect. By providing a more accurate picture of
badger population structure and the factors effecting it, these data can
guide current efforts to manage the species in Ireland and to better
understand its role in bTB.