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Allozyme variation in the Eurasian badger Meles meles in Denmark

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 November 2000

Cino Pertoldi
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Aarhus, Building 540, Ny Munkegade, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Volker Loeschcke
Affiliation:
Department of Ecology and Genetics, University of Aarhus, Building 540, Ny Munkegade, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Aksel Bo Madsen
Affiliation:
Department of Landscape Ecology, National Environmental Research Institute, Kalø Grenåvej 14, DK-8410 Rønde, Denmark
Ettore Randi
Affiliation:
Istituto Nazionale per la Fauna Selvatica, via Cá Fornacetta 9, I-40064 Ozzano Emilia (Bo), Italy
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Abstract

Genetic diversity in four populations of the Eurasian badger Meles meles from Denmark was estimated by allozyme electrophoresis. Low genetic variability was found within populations as compared to the variability found in badger populations from other countries, whereas significant genetic differentiation was found between populations. The low genetic variability and the differentiation between populations is explained by the fragmentation of the Danish landscape, which reduces the effective population size of local populations and the gene flow between them. Low genetic variability found for Danish badgers also supports the hypothesis of a rapid recolonization following the last glaciation.

Type
Short Communication
Copyright
© 2000 The Zoological Society of London

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