Using genetic techniques to quantify reinvasion, survival and in situ breeding rates during control operations

• Published in: Molecular ecology Vol. 22; no. 20; pp. 5071 - 5083
• Main Authors: Veale, A. J, Edge, K.‐A, McMurtrie, P, Fewster, R. M, Clout, M. N, Gleeson, D. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Science 01.10.2013; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Blackwell
• Subjects: Animal Distribution; Animal populations; Animals; assignment; Biological and medical sciences; Biological evolution; Breeding; connectivity; Conservation of Natural Resources; control methods; Fagus; Female; forests; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Frequency; genetic techniques and protocols; Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution; Genetics, Population - methods; Genotyping Techniques; Habitats; immigration; Introduced Species; invasion; invasive species; Islands; Male; Mammalia; Mammals; managers; microsatellite; Microsatellite Repeats; Mustela erminea; Mustelidae - genetics; New Zealand; Nonnative species; Nothofagus; Pest Control - methods; Pilot Projects; Population genetics; Population genetics, reproduction patterns; rodents; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; Wildlife management; New Zealand; Fissipedia; Carnivora; Mustela erminea; In situ; Survival; Invasion; Assignment; Vertebrata; Reproduction; Mammalia; connectivity; Microsatellite DNA; Immigration; microsatellite; Genetics; immigration; invasion; assignment
• ISSN: 0962-1083; 1365-294X
• DOI: 10.1111/mec.12453

Determining the origin of individuals caught during a control/eradication programme enables conservation managers to assess the reinvasion rates of their target species and evaluate the level of success of their control methods. We examine how genetic techniques can focus management by distinguishing between hypotheses of ‘reinvasion’ and ‘survivor’, and defining kin groups for invasive stoats (Mustela erminea) on Secretary Island, New Zealand. 205 stoats caught on the island were genotyped at 16 microsatellite loci, along with 40 stoats from the opposing mainland coast, and the age and sex were determined for each individual. Using these data, we compare and combine a variety of genetic techniques including genetic clustering, population assignment and kinship‐based techniques to assess the origin of each stoat. The population history and individual movement could be described in fine detail, with results indicating that both in‐situ survival and breeding, and reinvasion are occurring. Immigration to the island was found to be generally low, apart from in 1 year where around 8 stoats emigrated from the mainland. This increased immigration was probably linked to a stoat population spike on the mainland in that year, caused by a masting event of southern beech forest (Nothofagus sp.) and the subsequent rodent irruption. Our study provides an example of some of the ways genetic analyses can feed directly into informing management practices for invasive species.