Genetic management and population modelling to benefit translocated mammals

Date: 25, Oct, 2021
Author(s): Daniel White  
Publisher: TSR Hub

Many threatened species are becoming increasingly isolated due to habitat loss and degradation, which can lead to loss of genetic diversity and increased extinction risk. Translocating animals between locations is one way of facilitating much-needed gene flow and improving conditions for population growth. This project focused on the genetic management of three threatened mammals: the banded hare-wallaby (Lagostrophus fasciatus), the dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) and the Shark Bay bandicoot (Perameles bougainville), each of which are being translocated to Dirk Hartog Island in Western Australia. We devised optimal translocation strategies for each species, which all included sourcing founders from multiple island populations to maximise genetic diversity.