Data from: Dispersal of Amur tiger from spatial distribution and genetics within the eastern Changbai mountains of China

Population dispersal and migration often indicate an expanded habitat and
reduced inbreeding probability, and to some extend reflects improvement in
the condition of the population. The Amur tiger population in the northern
region of the Changbai mountains in China mostly distributes along the
Sino-Russian border, next to the population in southwest Primorye in
Russia. The successful dispersal westward and trans-boundary movement are
crucial for the persistence of the Amur tiger in this area. This study
explored the spatial dispersal of the population, trans-boundary migration
and the genetic condition of the Amur tiger population within the northern
Changbai mountains in China, using occurrence data and fecal samples. Our
results from 2003 to 2016 showed that the Amur tiger population in this
area was spreading westward at a speed of 12.83 ± 4.41 km every three
years. Genetic diversity of the Amur tiger populations in southwest
Primorye was slightly different than the population in our study area and
the potential individual migration rate between these two populations was
shown to be about 13.04%. Furthermore, the relationships between genetic
distances and spatial distances indicated the existence of serious
limitations to the dispersal of the Amur tiger in China. This study
provided important information about spatial dispersal, trans-boundary
migration and the genetic diversity of Amur tigers in China, showed the
urgent need for Amur tiger habitat restoration, and suggested some
important conservation measures, such as corridor construction to
eliminate dispersal barriers and joint international conservation to
promote trans-boundary movement.