DNA fingerprinting reveals high levels of genetic diversity within British populations of the introduced non-native grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)

Abstract

In general, if populations are founded by very small numbers of individuals, low levels of genetic diversity amongst subsequent generations known as founder effects, can be predicted to occur as a result of genetic drift (Franklin, 1980; Lacy, 1997). A loss of genetic variation has been reported in several species that have experienced genetic bottlenecks because of habitat fragmentation, geographic isolation or inbreeding depression (Gilbert et al., 1990; Hoelzel & Dover, 1991; Ellegren et al., 1993; Timms et al., 1993; Wauters, Casale & Dhondt, 1994; Wauters, 1997). This loss of genetic diversity can have deleterious effects on reproductive output. For example, laboratory and captive breeding programmes provide extensive evidence of both decreased fecundity and reduced juvenile survival (Ralls & Ballon, 1982, 1986; Du Bois, Dhondt & Van Puijenbroek, 1990; Brock & White, 1992), and research conducted on natural populations of common shrews Sorex araneus has reported similar findings (Stockley et al., 1994). However, genetic evidence from some wild populations shows that highly inbred populations can survive and thrive despite low levels of genetic variability (Gilbert et al., 1990; Wayne et al., 1991; Ellegren et al., 1993). Grey squirrels Sciurus carolinensis, were introduced into Britain from eastern North America on several occasions between 1876 and 1910. Furthermore, between 1906 and 1937 grey squirrels were translocated to a variety of different locations within Britain (Middleton, 1931; Shorten, 1954). From the 1930s it rapidly expanded its range and is now ubiquitous to almost all of central and southern England, Wales and some lowland areas of Scotland (Lloyd, 1962, 1983; Gurnell &; Pepper, 1993). In view of this highly successful colonization by an invading species the grey squirrel appears to have been unaffected by any loss of genetic diversity as a result of recent population bottlenecks. We have used DNA fingerprinting (Jeffreys, Wilson & Thein, 1985a), a technique which provides a good indication of genome variability (Jeffreys et al., 1985b; Kuhnlein et al., 1990; Kunieda et al., 1993) to assess overall levels of genetic diversity in two British grey squirrel populations; Alice Holt Forest on the borders of Hampshire and Surrey in southern England and Thetford Forest in East Anglia.