Data from: Impact of population expansion on genetic diversity and structure of river otters (Lontra canadensis) in central North America

Populations of North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) declined
throughout large portions of the continent during the early 1900s due to
habitat degradation and unregulated trapping. River otters had been
extirpated in North Dakota (ND), but the Red River Valley has since been
recolonized, with potential source populations including the neighboring
states of Minnesota or South Dakota, or the Canadian province of Manitoba
(MB). We genotyped 9 microsatellite loci in 121 samples to determine the
source population of river otters in the Red River Valley of ND, as well
as to assess population structure and diversity of river otters in central
North America. Overall, genetic diversity was high, with an average
observed heterozygosity of 0.58. Genetic differentiation was low (F ST
< 0.05) between river otters in ND and those of Minnesota,
suggesting that eastern ND was recolonized by river otters from Minnesota.
River otters from MB were genetically distinct from all other sampled
populations. Low genetic differentiation (F ST = 0.044) between South
Dakota and Louisiana (LA) suggested that reintroductions using LA stock
were successful. The genetic distinctiveness of river otters from
different geographic regions should be considered when deciding on source
populations for future translocations.