Aardvark microsatellite data for southern and east Africa

Aim: As climate change accelerates, assessing how climate shapes gene flow and neutral and adaptive genetic differentiation on landscapes is increasingly important. Aardvarks (Orycteropus afer) are ecologically important in sub-Saharan Africa but are sensitive to human pressures and increasing aridity. We used individual, population, and landscape genetic approaches to infer the influence of landscape, climate, and potential adaptive differences on gene flow.
Location: We surveyed 8 protected and 4 privately owned areas in South Africa, 2 protected areas in Eswatini, and one location in Kenya during 2016–2018.
Methods: We developed microsatellite markers and methods for DNA extraction from feces, collected and genotyped fecal samples from focal areas, and estimated genetic structure. We inferred space use from individual redetections, tested for close relatives, and estimated genetic neighborhood distance. We applied individual-based landscape genetic analyses at multiple scales across ...