title: Effects of landscape matrix on population connectivity of an arboreal mammal, Petaurus breviceps.
abstract: Ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation is considered a threat to biodiversity as it can create small, isolated populations that are at increased risk of extinction. Tree-dependent species are predicted to be highly sensitive to forest and woodland loss and fragmentation, but few studies have tested the influence of different types of landscape matrix on gene flow and population structure of arboreal species. Here, we examine the effects of landscape matrix on population structure of the sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) in a fragmented landscape in southeastern South Australia. We collected 250 individuals across 12 native Eucalyptus forest remnants surrounded by cleared agricultural land or exotic Pinus radiata plantations and a large continuous eucalypt forest. Fifteen microsatellite loci were genotyped and analyzed to infer levels of population differentiation and dispersal. Genetic differentiation among most forest patches was evident. We found evidence for female philopatry and restricted dispersal distances for females relative to males, suggesting there is male-biased dispersal. Among the environmental variables, spatial variables including geographic location, minimum distance to neighboring patch, and degree of isolation were the most important in explaining genetic variation. The permeability of a cleared agricultural matrix to dispersing gliders was significantly higher than that of a pine matrix, with the gliders dispersing shorter distances across the latter. Our results added to previous findings for other species of restricted dispersal and connectivity due to habitat fragmentation in the same region, providing valuable information for the development of strategies to improve the connectivity of populations in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Resources Isfahan University of Technology Isfahan 84156-83111 Iran ; School of Biological Sciences The University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australia ; Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity The University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australia.
authors.forename: Mansoureh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malekian
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences The University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australia ; Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity The University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australia ; Evolutionary Biology Unit South Australian Museum Adelaide SA 5000 Australia.
authors.forename: Steven J B
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: Evolutionary Biology Unit South Australian Museum Adelaide SA 5000 Australia.
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Saint
authors.affiliation: Healesville Sanctuary Badger Creek Road Healesville Vic. 3777 Australia.
authors.forename: Melanie L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lancaster
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria 3800 Australia.
authors.forename: Andrea C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences The University of Adelaide Adelaide SA 5005 Australia ; Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods Charles Darwin University Darwin NT 0909 Australia.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Carthew
keywords: Connectivity; Petaurus breviceps; fragmentation; gene flow; glider; population genetics; sex dispersal