Genetic tools for the conservation and management of red and grey squirrel populations

Synnott, Rebecca (2024) Genetic tools for the conservation and management of red and grey squirrel populations. Doctoral thesis, SETU Waterford.

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Abstract

The conservation of the native red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in Britain and Ireland has been complicated by the presence of the invasive North American grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). In the recent years, the red squirrel has demonstrated a natural recovery in Ireland, however, population reinforcement projects of the red squirrel are still required throughout Britain and Ireland to maintain healthy populations due to a fragmented woodland landscape. This project aims to demonstrate how conservation genetics can be used to support and inform practical management decisions for the long-term survival and management of red squirrel populations. This is demonstrated through the assessment of populations nearly 20 years post translocation in the west of Ireland and using a combination of survey techniques to accurately assess red squirrel abundance in Northern Ireland while applying multiple genetic methods to assess contemporary and historical genetic diversity. Additionally, by measuring genetic diversity levels this study assesses the overall impact of control efforts conducted between 2011 and 2020 on the grey squirrel population in north Wales. The study finds high genetic diversity overall, with six diverse mtDNA haplotypes found and relatively high levels of nuclear genetic diversity. This suggests that ongoing grey squirrel control efforts may not adequately reduce genetic diversity to a level where it contributes to a long-term population decline. In addition, two other case studies of the invasive grey squirrel are assessed in Scotland and Canada to show the requirement for tailored management plans. This project demonstrates the need to gather all available information, including historical and contemporary, to support population reinforcement projects, and to effectively create tailored plans for control efforts of the invasive species.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Genetic tools, conservation, red squirrel, grey squirrel
Departments or Groups:	*NONE OF THESE*
Divisions:	School of Science > Department of Chemical and Life Sciences
Depositing User:	Derek Langford
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2024 14:11
Last Modified:	21 Oct 2024 14:11
URI:	https://repository.wit.ie/id/eprint/7847

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