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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 33(5)

Genetic structure infers generally high philopatry and male-biased dispersal of brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in urban Australia

A. J. Stow A , N. Minarovic A B , J. Eymann A , D. W. Cooper A C and L. S. Webley A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia.

B Present address: School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

C Present address: The School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: lwebley@rna.bio.mq.edu.au

Wildlife Research 33(5) 409-415 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR06019
Submitted: 23 February 2006  Accepted: 19 July 2006   Published: 14 August 2006

Abstract

The brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is in decline throughout much of its natural range with the notable exception of urban areas and a few islands. In some urban areas, its density can be high enough to cause conflict with householders. We provide the first genetic-based study of dispersal for T. vulpecula in the urban environment. Seven microsatellite markers were used to investigate genetic structure of adult male (n = 53) and female (n = 39) possums sampled from mainland suburbs of Sydney, and on nearby Scotland Island. Samples from Scotland Island also provide an opportunity to assess the effect of isolation on genetic variability, which, as theory would predict, was significantly lower than observed in mainland samples. Male-biased dispersal was inferred from patterns of relatedness between individuals of each sex. Average relatedness was significantly higher between adult female possums than between adult male possums sampled within the same garden area. In addition, males were genotypically more similar to one another at substantially greater geographic distances than females. Along with male-biased dispersal, strong localised genetic structure for both sexes infers generally high philopatry. Dispersal distances were greatest for adult male possums sampled from mainland locations. However, even for these males, genotypic similarity between possums separated by distances further than ~900 m was lower than the sample average, suggesting infrequent dispersal beyond this distance. Knowledge of dispersal patterns is important to managing the density levels of overabundant T. vulpecula in urban areas.


Acknowledgments

We thank all the property owners for allowing us access to their properties to collect samples. Research was carried out with approval from Macquarie University’s Animal Ethics Committee (Permit No. 2002/022) and New South Wales Department of Environment and Conservation (Permit No. S11336). Funding for this research was provided by the Macquarie University ‘Higher Degree Research Fund’ to JE and the Macquarie University ‘Honours Student Research Fund’ to NM.


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