Implications of an individualistic lifestyle for species conservation: lessons from jealous beasts.
Polecat populations show a very low genetic diversity and a high inbreeding coefficient. Furthermore, the estimate of effective population size is alarmingly low. Polecats Mustela putorius populations are structured into scattered breeding sub-units usually made up of one male and two females, according to a polygynous mating system. Because a strict spatio-temporal segregation was observed between males and females, we propose to call individualistic such species. We suggest that the solitary habits of individualistic species may result in or worsen a high inbreeding and exacerbate their conservation issue, a crucial perspective for critically endangered species such as the European mink.
Lodé
Thierry
T
Laboratoire d'écologie animale, université d'Angers, 2, bd Lavoisier, 49045 Angers, France. thierry.lode@univ-angers.fr
Pereboom
Vincent
V
Berzins
Rachel
R
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D005602:France; D007578:Jealousy; D008019:Life Style; D012621:Seasons